Substantial progress is being made in preparation for this exciting journey from London to Timbuktu.  Word from the Parajet factory in Wiltshire is that the Skycar is nearing completion and the car is now road legal.  The car is now equipped with newly developed kit including a larger purpose designed wing and all new 3-blade carbon-fibre propeller.

Inquisitive eyes were allowed another glimpse of the Skycar at a recent rally day at Castle Combe Circuit, Wiltshire, which was followed by a team weekend at Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey.  The weekend was a chance for the entire team to get together and become fully accustomed with the expedition vehicles, which have been confirmed as: 1x Parajet Skycar, 1x 8-wheel drive support truck, 2x 4x4’s and 1x 650cc road bike, 3x 450cc off-road motorcycles.

The weekend was a good opportunity for the team to sit down and calculate, several times over, the exact quantities of both fuel and water needed to cross the Empty Quarter in the Sahara Desert – mistakes in this calculation would obviously have dire consequences. 

Our expedition Doctor also had a chance to run through our vaccination requirements and ensure the team was in tip-top condition in readiness for the gruelling environment that lay ahead.  Camping in typical November weather conditions that weekend was a true testament to the team’s commitment to making this expedition a success.

The expedition team comprises of experts from all walks of life; including a camera crew that are recording the team’s every move for use in a televised documentary about the car and its inaugural voyage to Timbuktu.

The expedition has been inundated with press enquiries, including Focus Magazine, Italy, who are covering the story and The UK Sunday Times newspaper will be printing an article on 9 November 2008 in their In Gear section.

It has been an exciting two months for the team. The Skycar made it's first public appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, we welcomed an additional sponsor to the project and expedition planning gathers pace.

For much of the weekend the sun shone on Goodwood this year but despite a few showers the Skycar stayed dry on an artificial sand dune inside the main doors of the technology pvailion. Thanks to the influence of Daniel Rowe of Jackson Rowe, who secured this prestigious spot, the public were treated to their first view of the Skycar. Many viewers took some convincing that this was not merely a concept car but a fully functioning vehicle that will soon cross the Sahara by land and by air.

The car was beautifully presented following many hours of labour by Gilo and his team of engineers at Parajet UK. The level of interest shown was quite overwhelming and among the multitude of enthusiasts who signed our contact list Mikko Hirvonen (World No.1 Rally Driver) commented:

 We were able to discuss the Skycar Expedition with several veterans of the Dakar Rally who endorsed our plans and gave us further advice. On show were Dakar support trucks that would be ideal for supporting our journey to Tombouctou. It is an aspect of the project that requires massive funding but one that is key to our success; a 6x6 or 8x8 truck will be essential to carry the vast fuel and water supplies required for a crossing of the Sahara’s ‘Empty Quarter’.