The Staples2Naples Rally (all content on this page from the official website WWW.STAPLES2NAPLES.COM)

About S2N

 Staples2Naples is the banger rally for wages slaves. It is based on the concept of the excellent Plymouth - Dakar Banger Rally. That rally, however, takes 3 weeks to complete.

The Banger Rally for Wage Slaves

S2N was an idea conceived to address the problem in the amount of time people have to spare. A Banger rally is great fun, but many people are unable to take 3 weeks out of their lives to do this. Either work or home commitments make this impossible.

So S2N was created. It lasts 4 days over a weekend, and covers around 1500 miles.

What happened in S2N2004?

S2N2004 was a great success. 71 Teams, competing over four days. Every type of wreck turned up. Ever seen a Pug 205 look like the A Team? Only on S2N2004! Ever seen a Carlton look like the Duke Brothers General Lee? Only on S2N2004! Can you paint red and yellow flames on the front of your car with emulsion? Only on S2N2004!

Where is Staples?

` Staples is simply short for Staples Corner, the junction of the bottom of the M1.

However, like all great rallies, S2N doesn't start at Staples Corner. Plymouth Dakar doesn't start at Plymouth. And Paris Dakar doesn't start at Paris. Nor does it finish at Dakar, for that matter!

The S2N rally starts at Calais. The idea of starting at Staples Corner on a Friday morning at 7am is something close to a motorist nightmare.

Some trivia and images can be found here.

Where is Naples?

 Southern Italy to be exact.

It is very beautiful city or a dirty hole depending on your outlook in life. Naples is only slighty spoiled by two particular natural occurances and one missing occurrance: Italians, Italian drivers and street cleaners.

Drivers in Naples are also aware that there is no Italian for 'crash avoidance'.

On balance, Naples is a fantastic destination for a bunch of old bangers. Quite simply, our cars will be at home in Naples. In most cases our candidate vehicles are in better shape than the local vehicles.

 In the last two or three years Naples has improved immeasurably. according to press reports. Road deaths are down by around 20%, and local bylaws have been introduced to make it an offence to keep your finger on the horn continuously.

This still makes Naples 3 times more dangerous than London, and about 10 times louder.

The rally will finish outside Naples. Going into Naples is optional.
Try not to get mugged or shot in Naples. And if anyone offers you 'camera gear', think 'expensive bottles of water'. If you get the option - drive back to Rome and fly from there!

The Route

S2N2005 is taking in 6 countries this year, including France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

We will be spending a whole day in Switzerland on the passes again. Quite simply - the roads in Switzerland are simply stunning and great fun to drive. Taking in Stelviopass in Northern Italy will be optional for any team that wants to do it. Stelvio is more or less on the way to the stopover for the night.

We then get to spend two days hurtling through Italy, experiencing some of the worst driving in Europe.

Remember - in Italy flashing your headlights means "get out of the way". And its not so much a "flash" in Italy as "strobing furiously".

Whats the Prize?

There will be several trophies this year, including:

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