Revved Up to Rally for Humanity
Clément David:
Ladies and gents, get ready to start your engines! In just a few weeks, around 1,500 teams of two will take the wheel at the starting line in Biarritz, France, for Europe’s most thrilling student race of the year — the 4L Trophy 2023.
Picture it. The roar of engines, the smell of burning rubber, and the crowd’s cheers will make this year’s rally one to remember. So, hold on tight because the competition is fierce, but Team C&C is revved and ready for the adventure.
Navigating Morocco’s desert for the ultimate off-road challenge
For those who may need to get up to speed, the 4L Trophy is an annual charity rally where European student duos aged 18 to 28 drive pimped-out Renault 4L cars over 6,000 km from France to the finish line in Marrakech, Morocco.
The goal of each stage of the rally is to reach a designated checkpoint by travelling as few kilometres as possible, using only a Road Book, a map of Morocco, and a compass. The team that completes each stage with the least distance travelled will be ranked the highest. Speed is not the primary objective; efficiency is.
My teammate, Clément Guerin (yes, we have the same name), and I will be traversing various terrains, from pebbles to sandpits, via tracks, wadis, and over dunes. Along the way, we will deliver school supplies, furniture, clothing, toys, and sports equipment to some of the country’s most underprivileged children living in remote areas of the Moroccan desert.
This year, the 12-day journey starts on Wednesday, 15 February, and ends on Saturday, 26 February. After teams have crossed the finish line in Marrakech, there will be a prize-giving and a closing ceremony celebration.
Realising a lifelong dream
Since childhood, participating in the 4L Trophy has been a goal of mine. And I couldn’t have asked for a more passionate corporate sponsor than Deriv to support making this dream a reality. Deriv values teamwork, integrity, and the ability to use good judgment — values that align with my own and represent the character of the 4L Trophy.
I can’t express how thankful I am to have the opportunity to live out this trip of a lifetime. But even more so, I am grateful for the chance to contribute to uplifting children. Clément and I have been preparing for months to get our Renault 4L in tip-top shape and plan our route. He is an apprentice at Renault, and his knowledge of the vehicle is vast. Wait until you see our Deriv-branded ride. It’s a head-turner!
Will we win first place? Follow our journey on the official Deriv social media channels. We’ll be sharing photos and videos and making reels as we cross some of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe and Africa. We’re amped and ready to go!
