Around the World in a Mini-Truck

The Around-The-World Rally is an exciting opportunity for Japan Car Exports to bring awareness to the vital projects that Hope International is involved in. The "Smaller is Better" team is really excited to be involved with raising funds to build a boys and girls school in Northern Afghanistan. Education is the foundation for a better life, and we plan on raising over $100,000 USD to build the entire school.

The Rally is a real challenge for me personally, being that I'm 187cms and a big guy. Being that the van has only a 660cc engine, imagine that little engine carrying around someone like me! And, let me tell you, driving that van will not be like driving a Rolls Royce... so, we wil definitely earn our sponsorship dollars!

Steve Smith
President, Japan Car Exports

Learn more about the project benefiting from our Global Challenge - a School for Afghanistan...

Meet the Team and learn the Route!

Shawn Smith

Joel Hage

Elmer Novis

Steve Smith

Total Distance: 29,000 km

Stage-1A: Eurasia - London to Kazhakstan
Distance: 9,000Km 
Drivers: Joel Hage, Shawn Smith
 
The JCE Rally team, Smaller is Better starts their journey by participating in the Adventurists Mongol Rally official launch in Hyde Park, London, UK. This leg will end in Olar Batar, Mongolia. JCE (Japan Car Exports Limited) will test the endurance and reliability of Japanese microvans in this cross-continental journey. Due to scheduling restrictions, Shawn will only be able to participate until Almaty, Kazhakstan, where Smaller is Better: The Adventurists Mongol Rally Stage-1A will end.
 
Smaller is Better: The Adventurists Mongol Rally Stage-1A
would like to raise $30,000 USD.
 
Stage-1B: Eurasia - Kazhakstan to Mongolia and Eastern Russia
Distance: 10,000 Km
Drivers: Joel Hage, Elmer Novis
 
The 2008 JCE challenge continues with the Adventurists Mongol Rally on to Almaty, Kazhakstan where rally driver Elmer Novis will pick up where Shawn Smith left off. Joel and Elmer will continue to finish the Mongol Rally in Olan Batar, Mongolia but will continue on through China until Vladivostok, Russia where the Eurasian Stage of the JCE World Rally will conclude.
 
Smaller is Better: The Adventurists Mongol Rally Stage-1B
would like to raise $30,000 USD.
 
The rally vehicle will be shipped from that location to Vancouver, Canada for The North American Stage.
 
Stage-2: North America - Vancouver, B.C to Halifax, N.S.
Distance: 10,000 Km
Drivers: Steven Smith
 
The rally continues on in its Second Stage in Vancouver, where the JCE Rally Van will visit all of its clients and supporters personally as a token of gratitude for those who have helped us along the way.
 
JCE World Rally Stage-2 would like to raise $40,000 USD.

Elmer's Message:

Two words: "Mountains" and "Desert". That's what I have been told to expect of the terrain in the Gobi Desert and the Tran-Siberian Highway to Mongolia. I've never been to Eastern Europe, Russia or China and it looks like we'll be in time for the Beijing Olympics if our van makes it all the way. I hope the sand and lack of hostels will be alright camping the the middle of the desert for the majority of this leg.

It's a pleasure to work with Hope on this project to help build a Boys and Girls School in Afghanistan. I'm looking forward to working on more events in the future with Hope to raise money for other causes.