The Fuchs Elephant Charge 2019

It's All In The Name

THE FUCHS ELEPHANT CHARGE 2019

Writer: Sarah Davies Photography: Elephant Charge

Although arguably not the most vital, practical component of preparation, choosing your Elephant Charge team name often takes the most imaginative effort.

Since 2008 when the 4WD motorsport event was first conceptualised, teams of up to six men and women have bravely taken up the challenge of traversing the wilds of Zambia’s bush through 10 checkpoints…but not in the shortest time…No! That would be easy… instead, the shortest distance. Thus, this intrepid adventure indeed demands a title of both calibre and eloquence.

Many go with some humorous interpretation of the obvious; for example we’ve had ‘The Dirty ½ Dozen’ and ‘The Dirt Herders’. It’s a truth universally acknowledged that by 3.00pm on Charge day all team members will be in need of a good hose-down due to a caking of mud, dust and sweat gained toiling around the course.

Then there are those wordsmiths that make the literal connection with the overall conservation goals of the Elephant Charge, for example, ‘The Carnivore’ and ‘The Biking Baboons’, although we think ‘The Crazy Penguins’ might be a bit confused geographically. This year we can’t wait to smash the US$1 million mark of funds raised for conservation projects in Zambia (US$892,000 so far), supporting awesome efforts such as Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia, Birdwatch, Conservation Lower Zambezi, Conservation South Luangwa etc. (For more see www. elephantcharge.org/beneficiaries).

Finally, of course, there has been the prophetic nomenclature of ‘Rolling Under’ who gymnastically rolled their vehicle before the first checkpoint of their first charge; and my own dear team ‘Hot Clutch’—I’m never exactly sure if it’s rude or not—who almost set fire to our gear box one year. You have to wonder if the universe is trying to tell you something.

The Fuchs Elephant Charge 2019 will be held on Saturday, 28th September, at a secret location approximately two hours outside Lusaka, and is aiming to have a full complement of 35 teams to help us continue to raise our fundraising record.

We are delighted to be supported by several major sponsors including Fuchs, Maxxis Tyres, National Milling, Gospel Central, CC Systems and Geotab, among many others. This year we will have new teams…shush, but rumours abound of a ‘Victorious Secret’ (genius), sponsors and chargers.

Join the herd…to register, sponsor or find out more about coming along to a weekend of family fun, discover more at www.elephantcharge.org or contact info@elephantcharge.org. You can also ‘follow’ us on Facebook and Instagram.