Engineering trio’s rally challenge

A team from the University’s Institute for Infrastructure and Environment (IIE) is to cross some of the world’s roughest terrain to raise money for charity.

Dr Luke Bisby, Dr Craig Warren and PhD student Steffen Kahrmann will drive 10,000 miles through 17 countries, from Edinburgh to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia.

They will be participating in what is described as the world’s largest charity rally.

The trio will set off from London, along with about 400 rally teams, in July.

World’s surface

In a 1.2-litre engine displacement car, the fundraisers will travel through countries including Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Russia, covering one third of the world’s surface.

The annual Mongol Rally was launched in 2004.

It supports and raises awareness of the Lotus Children’s Centre in Mongolia, a charity that works with vulnerable children and families.

The team of engineers, called Khannonball Run, will donate half of the money they raise to the centre and the other half to the Scottish Association for Mental Health.