As you know, we got a car.  Let’s take a moment to chat about Monsieur Le Chariot, or Suzi, if you will.

As it turns out, our gender-bending, identity-seeking vehicle has got a lot more under the hood than expected.  When we bought the Suz, we thought we were getting a used car in good working condition with a 1.3 litre engine.  We were psyched.  Then we got a couple of surprises.  Now we might be close to overjoyed. 

First, we got a little extra oompf,

The previous owner, Steve Simms, has replaced the 1.3 litre engine with a newer 1.6 litre engine.  A little extra oompf to assist us on our voyage, but certainly not enough to transform our adventure into anything too easy.  Our mettle will still be tested.  We wouldn’t have it any other way.

but now we must pay! We could use even more oompf from our fans…

While this is great news, it also has fundraising implications.  As you know, to enter the rally we needed to raise at least  £1,000 (approx. $2,000) for Send A Cow.  With your support, we have surpassed our initial goal of $2,000 and raised $2,600 so far, which is absolutely fantastic.  Now that our engine is a little bigger, we still need your help!

As a “penalty” — in quotes because it’s charity! not a penalty! — teams that have engines bigger than the 1.0 litre must raise an extra $200 for every additional 0.1 litre. With a 1.6 litre engine, we’ve got a “penalty” of $1,200, and our overall goal (including the “penalty”) is raised to $3,200.  With $2,600 already raised, this means we need to raise an additional $600. If you have been thinking of donating, now’s the time to do it!  You can donate and read a little about Send A Cow here.

Then, some divine assistance!

As it turns out, Steve Simms, the Suzi’s previous owner, is actually a mechanically-inclined guardian angel.  Of the wingless variety.  Steve was really fired up when he heard about our adventure, and offered to help us out.  Boy did he ever.  In the 7 days since selling us the car, he has:

• found a friend who agreed to sell additional parts at cost;
• found another friend who can sell us additional tires very cheap;
• obtained a radio and power point which he then installed in the car;
• fitted his old bull bar  and winch to the car; and
• has begun creating a roof rack for the car out of used steel from a junkyard.

If you are not bowled over by his fabulousness perhaps you should re-read that list.  This is a man, who did not know us before last week, going out of his way to make sure we can actually make it from London to Cameroon in his beloved Suz.  All he asks for in return? Pictures of his babe in action.

Right now I think Doug, Jessie and I are all competing to be president of the new Steve Simms fan club.

Thanks, Steve!