A rally that drives the full length of Africa from London to Cape Town is being planned by the Endurance Rally Association. Set to be flagged off from Big Ben as it strikes midnight, just as the fireworks go up on New Year’s Eve, it will be the first event of 2011 – so, just under a year to prepare. No shortage of spectators to see it go... Over 300,000 people cram around Westminster Bridge so this could be a rally send-off like no other.

Organiser Philip Young plans a route down the west coast of Africa, taking in the Sahara desert and jungle trails of the coast of the Congo to Namibia and South Africa – some 8000 miles in 28 days – to finish at the clocktower at Cape Town’s dramatic Waterfront.

What sort of car? ‘Old Mercs and Peugeot 504s are all along the route,’ said Young, ‘so, no trouble with spares if one of those is the choice’ – he thinks a ’70s classic that can be beaten into shape with a sledgehammer will be an ideal workhorse. More on www.endurorally.com.