The Adventure Drive is a style of event invented by HERO 4x4xplore to enable owners of vintage and classic cars and of modern 4x4s to take their own vehicles on a long distance journey of discovery to places off the beaten track, sharing the experience with others of like mind, and staying in the best available accommodation.

It’s for people who love to drive. It isn't a high speed dash or a rally run against the clock, but it’s nevertheless a genuine challenge, and those who complete the course will receive well deserved awards. We are rally people and use rally techniques to give you the freedom to travel on your own, but within the security of a competent organisation that takes care of most of the hassle of visiting remote parts of the world.

Different categories of vehicle are given different routes to follow. Classic cars can travel almost wholly on asphalt, at moderate speeds, while 4x4s have the option of taking gravel roads or even 4x4 jeep tracks to places off the beaten track. Either way, it will be an unforgettable journey.

Are the organisers experienced and reputable?

Highly so. HERO 4x4xplore is an offshoot of HERO - the Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation. Event Director John Brown is one of the world's most experienced organisers of rallies and long distance motoring adventures.

HERO was founded in 1996 by John and around 100 enthusiasts to run classic car rallies, including the legendary LE JOG (the Land's End to John o'Groats Reliability Trial), the Scottish Malts Reliability Trial, and the London-Lisbon Classic Rally.

4x4xplore was launched in 1998, when HERO’s great London - Cape Town rally was opened to modern 4x4 vehicles as well as classic cars. 2001's epic Inca Trail around South America and the Arctic Winter Trial in 2003 also catered for both. The 2004 Great Tour of China and 2005 African Adventure were run purely for 4x4s.

In 2005 a new team took over the organisation of the competitive classic car rallies, and HERO 4x4xplore was born to run long distance non-competitive events for both classic cars and 4x4s. Events planned for 2006 are the second Great Tour of China in April/May and La Aventura Panamericana in November/December.

Today the wider HERO Club has some 2,500 members, the great majority of whom have competed on at least one big classic car or 4x4 event organised by HERO or 4x4xplore.

How experienced do I need to be?

If you are a reasonably experienced and skilled driver on normal roads, you should cope perfectly well. The event does not require you to drive at high speed or in extreme conditions, and gives you time to find your feet - and our experts will be there to help.

What are the roads like?

The route is approximately 7,000 miles (11,000km) in length. The itinerary will include multilane highways to get quickly across country, but the meat of the route is on back roads with both asphalt and gravel surfaces, travelling through interesting countryside.

Some roads will be especially selected for 4x4 participants, to enable them to experience beautiful untouched locations that cannot be reached by ordinary cars. In these instances, attractive alternative routes will be prepared for classic car owners.

For owners of more precious classic cars who wish to avoid gravel roads as much as possible all-asphalt (and shorter) routes are available on most days.

How will the event run?

Crews must sign out at the start and back in at the finish of each day, and possibly at one or two points in between. This is for your own safety as much as anything else. But we do not run in a nose to tail convoy. You are free to deviate from the designated route if you wish, to travel in your own time, by yourself or with a group of friends, to stop at places along the way, to explore local sights, and to eat in little restaurants.

What kind of car is best, and will it need special preparation?

If you are doing the event in a vintage or classic car, it must be robust and reliable, and roomy enough to carry your crew, their baggage, spare fuel, and tools and parts. Any event of this length is demanding for an older car, and thorough preparation is essential, especially of the suspension. We will issue advice on this.

A reputable modern 4x4 with high ground clearance should cope perfectly well with all the conditions you are likely to meet. Just make sure that the suspension is in good condition, and that the vehicle is properly equipped, with long range fuel supply, extra spare wheel, good jack, and so on.

We will issue you with detailed advice notes on vehicle choice and preparation, and you will be able to bring your vehicle along to a briefing day and discuss it with one of our experts.

How do I get to Tijuana, and back from Panama City?

North American entrants can of course drive or truck their vehicle to the start. For this reason, the entry fee does not include shipment. Our shipping agents will offer an inclusive package at a competitive price both to the start and home from the finish of the event.

The entry fee also does not include your personal travel to Tijuana and from Panama City.

What kind of hotels do we stay in?

We use the highest standard of accommodation available. These include luxurious international five star hotels and exclusive resorts. In smaller places, our lodging will vary from four star hotels with fully equipped air conditioned bedrooms, to simple three star hotels.

What insurance cover will I need?

The entry fee includes generous personal accident and medical cover. You will have to take out your own third party vehicle insurance to cover all your vehicle’s drivers in all the countries on the route; the Organisers will arrange a scheme for this.

You will also be able to take out comprehensive vehicle cover and supplementary personal accident and medical cover. We will also arrange for you to be offered cover against liability for import duty (which can be extremely high) if your vehicle cannot be repatriated (e g if stolen), against non-appearance (if you have to withdraw), and against marine transit damage or losses.

What support do HERO 4x4xplore provide?

The event will be accompanied by three or four official vehicles crewed by HERO 4x4xplore's Event Director and other officials. Each of these vehicles will carry a satellite phone to ensure good communications wherever they are. Sweeper vehicles will follow the route, each crewed by a skilled mechanics with tools and other light equipment, and by the event doctor or paramedic with an emergency medical kit. The event doctor and paramedic will be present at each overnight halt to assist anyone taken ill. An advance car will run one or two days ahead, checking the route and roadbook, and passing back the latest information.

At overnight halts in bigger towns, we will where possible arrange for local motor traders to stay open, to provide workshop facilities, tyre repairs and replacements, etc.

Participants must however be aware that the event is potentially dangerous, and that the Organisers' resources are limited and may not be able to cope with a serious accident or mechanical breakdown. They should not take part unless they accept that there is an element of risk to themselves and their vehicles.

What clothes will I need?

The temperatures will vary from the subtropical to chilly and in places rainy. Bring a range of practical, comfortable clothes, bearing in mind that you may need to change a wheel at some time. You will be able to get clothes laundered during the rest days, so don't load yourselves down with a whole month's supply.

Most evenings, smart casual dress is fine; although you may want to bring a jacket and tie for some special functions.

Health

Any travel through remote tropical areas brings with it a risk of health problems. Most of these are short term, trivial and easily avoided using common sense. You will need valid immunisations against a range of diseases. Our Chief Medical Officer will circulate guidance notes and offer advice before the event on how to stay well. He will specify a medical kit to be carried by each crew, and will be travelling with his own comprehensive medical equipment to help out if any serious problems arise.

How much does it cost?

The entry fee of £20,000 includes the rally itself; 32 nights’ bed and breakfast for two people sharing a twin or double room; welcome and farewell dinners; 30 other evening meals in your hotel or in typical local restaurants; various other functions and receptions; coaches to and from various functions; rally number plates and door panels; a souvenir award for all finishers; event clothing; fully detailed tulip roadbook; etc.

Hotel upgrades to single room accommodation are available at extra cost. No refunds are available to participants not taking up accommodation booked for them, for whatever reason.

What training and briefing opportunities will there be?

There will be two Briefing Days in Britain, which will include talks on the event outline, vehicle choice and preparation, and other practicalities. Dates will be advised.