He’s always one to take on a challenge, but in January this year, GT4 driver Paul Fullick really set the bar high when it comes to impressive adventures, by taking on the Rickshaw Run.
The twice-yearly event sees teams from across the world taking on either the south to north-west, or north-west to south route, covering more than 3,000km in a tuk tuk, also known as an auto-rickshaw.
Paul tells us more about this epic adventure.
“I like a challenge, I like doing things on wheels, and I like supporting charity – that’s why the Rickshaw Run was a no-brainer for me!
“I entered the event with two friends, Gordon, and his partner, Joao. Gordon is the owner of QAV Global – a provider of AV solutions for events. Gordon has been a great friend for years, I’ve worked for him in the past, and when I had my accident, he couldn’t have been more supportive. QAV is now my title sponsor for racing. Gordon and Joao were so keen to take on the challenge and invited me along. I couldn’t say no.
“I knew it was going to be a tough event. Its run by a company called the Adventurists, and on their website they say: “Imagine yourself and a couple of mates squashed into a 1 donkeypower rolling cake tin tackling thousands of miles of old school adventure.” They certainly don’t sugar coat how ramshackle and risky taking on the challenge can be.
“And they’re right. We turned up in Jaisalmer, known as the ‘Golden City’ in the north west state of Rajasthan with 69 other teams, to meet our tuk tuk or rickshaw for the first time. This is where you have the chance to ‘pimp your ride’ and get it ready for the journey ahead. There is a starting point, a mid-way meet up, and an end date and location, but apart from that, you’re on your own!
“For just under 2 weeks, we were packed into this tiny 3-wheeled vehicle. This is a cramped experience for anyone, but with a wheelchair it gets even more challenging. We strapped the wheels of my chair to the roof and the base was wedged in between whichever two of us were riding in the back. Cosy isn’t the word! When it came to driving – something that I love of course – I found a new challenge in the fact that the brake was powered by the right pedal. Without a right foot this isn’t easy, but we overcame and we all took our turns in navigating the diverse terrain we faced.
“India is an incredible place full of incredible people, with landscapes that change day after day. You plan your route, but what you see on a map gives you no indication of what you’ll actually find. So a road could be packed with high moving vehicles zooming past us, or it could be littered with pot holes and home also to elephants or camels transporting their owners and goods alongside us. For that reason, we had to plan accommodation for each night from around lunchtime the same day, as we never knew how long each stretch of the journey would take.
“We met with other teams at the mid-way point in Goa, which was fantastic for sharing stories and experiences, then we each went our own way to press on to the finish point at the southern tip of India in the tropical backwaters of Kerala, where the adventurists have their base in Fort Kochi.
“Not every team makes it, but we’re so glad we did. We faced challenge after challenge – from being asked to leave our hotel when they realised we were international guests who they couldn’t house, to contending with 2 weeks of ‘deli belly’ with what can only be described as ‘basic’ and non-wheelchair friendly facilities! But…..it was incredible.
“Without doubt, the highlight of the trip was meeting so many amazing people. They were just so welcoming and day after day we would be invited by strangers to join them in their family homes so they could cook for us. Driving along in an open-sided vehicle, we would have countless drivers on mopeds, in trucks, or walking, giving us high fives as we moved, asking us what we were doing, where we were from, and stopping us for selfies.
“In some ways it was a relief to be finished, having spent 3 weeks in probably the least comfortable vehicle you could imagine, and in others it was a real shame, as it brought our incredible adventure to a close.
“The event is held in aid of charity Cool Earth, who work alongside indigenous villages to halt rainforest destruction. On top of that, you can raise money for a charity of your choice, so we chose to support the Matt Hampson Foundation – which inspires and supports young people seriously injured through sport. My fellow Team BRIT drivers Noah Cosby and Aaron Morgan have both benefitted from their brilliant support and services.
“I’m so proud that we raised almost £2000 for the foundation, which I know will be put to such great use in helping people facing adversity.
“A massive than you to everyone who supported us on our journey and for everyone who donated. Now to plan the next adventure…..”
