Among the cars that have come and gone from my garage over the years, my 2003 Mini Cooper S (the R53 generation) remains one of my favorites. I kept it well-maintained, so the reliability problems that plagued the supercharged hatchback stayed away. It was an efficient and engaging commuter, a hoot on track days, and its handling capabilities are still the stuff of legend. I reluctantly sold the Mini after five years of fun-filled ownership.
When I read about the Max Adventure Driven to Extremes Sahara Rally events scheduled for 2023 in Morocco, I readily admit to feeling more than a little wistful for my old English/German friend. The Mini Sahara Rally is open to anyone with a sense of adventure who drives a modern Mini, the preferred models being the 1st and 2nd generation (R50, R53, and R56) built between 2000 and 2013. How fun would it be to bomb your Cooper across the dunes and desert wilds of North Africa on a fully supported rally raid over the span of two weeks? And all for the incredibly reasonable price of just £1,495 ($1,814)?
The entry fee for this adventure for two participants includes a professional support crew (leader, guide, medic, and mechanic) in expedition 4x4s, return ferries from Spain to Morocco, 2 nights hotel accommodation, 9 nights campsite accommodation, 2 nights wild camping, UHF radios, Max Adventure swag, satellite mapping, and vehicle graphics.
You’ll follow the original Paris-Dakar rally route and, according to Max Adventure, “from the Algerian border to the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll battle your way across hundreds of miles of sand, rock, and gravel through Morocco… looking like a budget version of Mad Max. Friends and family will think you’re having a midlife crisis, but who cares!”
Who cares indeed.
Max Adventure hosts a second similar Sahara rally open to all classes of cars. However, for my money, I would bring a six-speed British Racing Green R53 with a huge Union Jack painted on the roof and equipped with all-terrains on steel rims to the Mini event. What could go wrong?
The Max Adventure Driven to Extremes Sahara Rallies take place in September and October of 2023. Early-bird registration saves you £200 ($242) if you sign up by March 31, 2023. To sign up, contact Max Adventure at info@maxadventure.co.uk
Max Adventure Sahara Rally 2023: September 8—September 21
Max Adventure Mini Sahara Rally 2023: September 29—October 12
Our No Compromise Clause: We carefully screen all contributors to ensure they are independent and impartial. We never have and never will accept advertorial, and we do not allow advertising to influence our product or destination reviews.
