2008/09 Land Rover G4 Challenge

From the start of this year, people from all walks of life have been signing up for the chance to chase their dream in the 2008/09 Land Rover G4 Challenge.

Australia is one of 18 national teams taking part in this exciting adventure - and whether you want to get out there and take on the Challenge or just prefer to watch from your armchair, this is the place to come for the latest news.

Last time it was South Africa that took the crown. This time it's anybody's - but there is a long, long way to go from here.

Later this year Australian competitors - which could include you - will fight through a tough weekend off-road driving, physical and mental tests in the National Selections. The winners will join the other 17 national teams in the UK to decide which man and woman from each country will head to Asia for the Challenge Finals in 2009.

The Challenge programme will help generate money for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - and any money generated in Australia will go to the Australian National Society and directly help the people in Australia as well as projects overseas.

There will be lots of news, videos and photos of the drama and emotion as we follow the competitors from now until the Challenge Finals - so keep coming back here to catch up on the latest from your nation....

... if you want be a part of it, SIGN UP HERE!

... if you want to be kept up to date with the competition as a whole, CLICK HERE to receive the Land Rover G4 Challenge newsletter.

Land Rover G4 Challenge History

Land Rover has a lasting heritage of adventure, with one of the best known expeditions run in 1970 when two Range Rovers became the first vehicles to complete a land crossing of the Darien Gap swamplands that divide North America from South America. The Land Rover G4 Challenge was inaugurated in 2003, when Belgian fighter pilot Rudi Thoelen emerged victorious from a cliff hanging finale in the Moab desert, USA. The next Challenge, in 2006, went deep into rugged, remote locations in Thailand, Laos, Brazil and Bolivia, coming to an end at an altitude of over 4000m with South African Martin Dreyer emerging victorious.

The ultimate global adventure bringing together 18 nations in mixed-gender teams in 2008/09

In a significant expansion to the previous events run in 2003 and 2006, the 2008/09 Land Rover G4 Challenge will involve mixed-gender national teams. Competitors from 18 different countries, who can now register their interest on http://www.landroverg4challenge.com/, will battle through a rigorous national and international selection process. The best male and female from each nation will enter the Challenge itself, which will take place in Asia in early 2009.

The 18 teams participating in the 2008/09 Land Rover G4 Challenge are:

Challenge location

The 2008/09 Challenge Finals are due to take place in Asia. The Land Rover G4 Challenge recce teams are currently undertaking extensive route research in areas that provide the kinds of remote and rugged environments that the Challenge requires to ensure the final route will provide stunning scenery, exciting locations and testing terrain.

Vehicles to be used

The 2008/09 Land Rover G4 Challenge fleet will involve all vehicles in the Land Rover line-up: the Range Rover Sport, Range Rover, Discovery 3, Freelander 2 and Defender. The competing vehicles will be joined by a dedicated support fleet including high-tech communications vehicles and fully equipped ambulances, all painted in distinctive Tangiers Orange.

The victorious national team will win a Land Rover for their National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society.

Martin Dreyer, winner of the 2006 Challenge, said: "The last Challenge was an amazing experience and it was a fantastic feeling to win after such a tough competition against competitors from all around the world. I am sure that the new format, with national teams and more female competitors, will make the next Challenge even more exciting."

Environmental considerations

The Land Rover G4 Challenge aims to promote responsible off-road driving, with respect for the natural and cultural environment. The competition concept encourages teams to either follow pre-defined paths or to take different routes to their final destination to minimise the impact, and in areas of significant environmental sensitivity the route is developed with the relevant authorities fully involved. Land Rover employs an environmental specialist to analyse the route from start to finish and ensure each site is returned to its original state once the Challenge has passed. The Challenge will be fully CO2 offset, supporting specifically identified global projects through Land Rover's partner Climate Care. This programme, coupled with considerate competition design, will ensure the event has neutral environmental impact while leaving a positive humanitarian legacy with International Federation projects around the world.

Land Rover G4 Challenge 2008/09 - will support the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Land Rover has entered a landmark association that will see the Land Rover G4 Challenge run in support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on its return in 2008/09. This new global partnership with the world's largest humanitarian organisation will ensure the adventure competition leaves a positive legacy by acting as a platform to generate funds and assist life-changing humanitarian projects around the world.

• Land Rover's global adventure Challenge to generate funds for humanitarian causes
• A total of 18 national teams of one male and one female competitor
• Vehicle donated to the winning nations' Red Cross or Red Crescent National Society
• Challenge will run on an 18-month cycle with 2008/09 location to be in Asia
• Event will be environmentally sensitive and fully carbon offset through Climate Care
• The partnership aims to generate more than £1m for the International Federation over the next two Challenges