FAQ: (Most of) your questions answered.
When is the rally? How long will it take?
The rally is set to start November 1st, 2014 from New York. The launch party will be held in Austin, Texas on November 5th, 2014. Depending on your luck, allow around 12 weeks to complete the rally. Remember that the rally is not a race, there is no first prize and speeding is dangerous, especially in Latin America.
My car has a 2.1 liter engine - will I be allowed to participate?
Yes, if you really insist, sure.
Will my US driving license be accepted?
Yes, you are allowed to drive through Mexico, Central and most of South America. However, we strongly suggest you get an International Driving Permit and an Inter-American driving permit (for Brazil and Uruguay) from the AAA. If you have a foreign license, you will need the IDP.
I am coming from Europe, can I buy a car in the US?
Yes, you can, but you will need to register and buy insurance for it.
Will I need car/motorcycle insurance?
Yes, for most countries it will be required and your US/International car insurance will not be valid. Most border crossings will allow you to buy it on the spot (Argentina can be tricky so buy it beforehand if possible).
Is travel insurance required?
You don’t – but we highly recommend it. Read here why. Check out Lonely Planet.
The Darién Gap
The Darién Gap is the missing link between Central and South America. There are two ways to transport your car across: in a container or RORO (roll-on, roll-off). Container is the pricier option, but more secure. We will give the contact information necessary to facilitate container shipping. You will be responsible for your vehicle’s shipping cost, paperwork and port fees.
Will I receive any support/assistance?
You will not. Navigating your way down, negotiating the checkpoints, fixing your car, finding food and lodging will be entirely up to you. This is your adventure. Feel free to join other teams on the road and travel together. It will make everything a lot easier.
What happens to my car/motorcycle at the end of the rally?
It’s up to you: You can ship it back, continue your trip or sell it in Punta Arenas, Chile. This is a tax-free zone that allows the import of foreign cars that are less than 10 years old. Regardless of what you do, in order to get your refund back, you most show legal proof of bringing the car back to the United States, importing it to South America or shipping somewhere else.
What is the $500 refundable deposit for?
This is required to ensure you legally dispose of your vehicle and don’t just leave it abandoned in Argentina.
I changed my mind, can I get a refund?
After October 31st, there are no refunds given (besides the vehicle deposit). Active duty or deployed military participants may be entitled to a refund on a case-by-case basis upon providing sufficient and official documentation.
What kind of immunizations will I need?
While we recommend that all your routine immunizations are up to date, we also strongly suggest that you get vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B, Yellow Fever, Typhoid Fever and Rabies. Some countries (Bolivia) will require proof of these vaccinations. In addition you should bring insect repellent containing 30-50% DEET and take some sort of anti-malaria medication.
I live on the West Coast, do I have to drive to New York?
No, you can meet us on November 5th in Austin, Texas.
I am a US citizen/resident - will my entry fee be tax deductible?
Since we are a for-profit organization, your entry fee is not tax deductible. The donation you make to the charity should be, to the extent the law allows it. Please check directly with your local tax authority.
Can I get sponsorship?
You can get sponsorship as long as you let us know in advance and we approve it.
After raising the $1000 for charity, can I use the extra funds for my trip?
Yes, as long as you let your donors know how much of their money is going to you.
What is the DeLorme inReach SE satellite communicator?
“With inReach SE, you can both send and receive text messages at the ends of the earth and everywhere in between with the handy color screen and virtual keyboard. When you’re off the grid and out of cell phone range, you can quickly and easily share your journey with family and friends, let them ping and message you, and always receive a delivery confirmation that your message was sent — all thanks to the Iridium satellite network with 100% global coverage. And in the event of an emergency, you can trigger an SOS, receive delivery confirmation, and then have an two-way text conversation with the search and rescue monitoring center until help arrives.”. Click here to go to DeLorme’s site.