The Around the World in 80 Days Motor Challenge

Around the World in 80 Days

In the Millenium year the Endurance Rally Association organised a long distance rally that was a real first, in every sense – the Around the World in 80 Days Motor Challenge was the first-ever timed-lap of the globe. The event incorporated separate shorter events from London to Istanbul and London to Peking. Cars were airlifted only where there were no roads – from Beijing to Alaska, and out of New York to Marrakesh.

The World's Longest-Ever Rally

The Around the World in 80 Days Motor Challenge was the longest rally, in terms of days, that has ever been inscribed on the FIA International Calendar. 
 
However, out of respect for the awesome acheivement of the 1977 London to Sydney rally - at the time listed in the Guiness Book of Records as the longest rally in motoring history - we trimmed the mileage by around 100 miles, in order to let the record of 1977 stand. 
 
However, since researching the 1977 event (check out londonsydney77.com ) we have discovered that when the organisers trimmed the Australia route to re-schedule the event and ensure it reached Sydney on time that the distance reduced by over 1,000 kms. This now ranks The Around the World in 80 Days Motor Challenge as the world's longest rally, both in terms of distance as well as days.