The Race Around Ireland

Hi all

On September 12th 2010 I'm trying to be the first Englishman to complete the Race Around Ireland (and by default be the fastest Englishman for at least a year!)
It's a World Cup Event and also a RAAM qualifier as well as considered to be the toughest race in Europe and one of the toughest in the world.
It's 1350 miles and you have a maximum of 5.5 days to complete it.
There are no stages, no stopovers, so how I manage mya sleep is down to me.
You have to be self sufficient and provide your own crew and support vehicles.

Now for the problem.......two of my crew members have had to drop out in the last week so with less than a month to go I need to find two more people.

This would be a great opportunity for a cyclist or cycling fan to see a fantastic country in some unique circumstances.
Let me tell you a bit about what the race involves, and what is required of the crew before you decide.
It's worth pointing out at this stage that nearly all expenses are covered, so it won't cost you in terms of travel, stopovers etc.

Details - Ferry to Dublin AM 11th September - Back 18th September PM

Race starts 8pm Sunday 12th (see website www.racearoundireland.com for more info)
Racer travels anti clockwise around the perimeter of Ireland via 19 time stations set every 40-85 miles.

No more than 4 hours sleep planned per 24 hours

You either run out of time and DNF or get sick/injured and DNF.......otherwise you complete the race

CREW requirements -
To be able to drive, and often drive slowly. The main support van will usually be right behind me (at night it is a race rule) so at times you'll barely get out of 2nd gear (probably 1st in many mountains)

If you're not driving you'll probably be either navigating, preparing food and drink in the van or be with the 2nd support vehicle up the road getting food, working out route data etc

To work well in a team situation and with little sleep each day.

The 5 man team will rotate shifts between driving, navigating rest etc.
The second support vehicle is a camper van so there will be somewhere to rest up, but the ability to rest sitting would be advisable, and there will also be an airbed in the 1st support van.

That covers the main points really.
Expenses covered include -
Return ferry to Ireland
Dublin hotel stopover on the Saturday night (2 triple rooms in a 4 star hotel)
Guest house / B&B stopover the night before returning to the UK
Fuel on the road in Ireland
Hire costs of vehicles

A crew member would need money to get their own food on route (although their will be a basic supply of some food already stocked) and possibly cover their own expenses getting to Holyhead on the Saturday morning (depending on their location to start with)

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in doing then I'd love to hear from you either here or by email.
You can also search Race Around Ireland on Facebook

Thanks for reading

Wyatt
WyattWendels@googlemail.com