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2,000 miles in four days: Black Country pair racing for finish line

Two childhood mates undertaking an epic 10,000 mile charity challenge are on the home stretch.

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Tom Reynolds, originally from Finchfield, and Tom Cambidge, from Codsall, are driving a 1989 Bedford Rascal from London to Siberia as part of the annual Mongol Rally.

Team Vast and the Curious left London on July 19, one of more than 200 teams attempting the journey to Ulan-Ude, Russia.

So far eight have made it to the finish line, and more than 15 have pulled out of the challenge.

The van has already had to visit Russian mechanics

The 970cc Rascal has already had to pay a couple of visits to Russian mechanics, and with 6,000 miles behind them and 'roads that would cripple a JCB' in Mongolia, the Toms say they have made the tough decision to change their route in order to make it to the finish line.

Updating their Facebook page, they say: "After off-roading through Mongolia's infamous 'northern route', attempting to essentially 'rope walk' and take the Rascal on a dance with the devil has become too much.

"Having almost tipped the van a number of times and dragged her under-carriage along 'road' surfaces that would raise a Russian eyebrow, we have made the emotional decision to drive around Mongolia.

"With a minimum speed limit of 60kmph, for 12 hours per day, in order to reach the rally finish line, put the Rascal on its train - a condition of the rally itself - and board our flights home, it has become increasingly obvious that the battery-powered child's caravan would have been sacrificed in pushing on.

The two Toms are raising money for male cancer charity Orchid

"She has got us this far, she deserves to come home with us. Three of us went out; three of us must come back."

They are now attempting to drive 2,000 miles around Mongolia to the finish line in four days, which will see them behind the wheel for about 13 hours each day.

Aiming to raise £10,000 for male cancer charity Orchid - £1 for every mile travelled - they have passed through France, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia during the challenge

To follow the final days of Team Vast and Curious' Mongol Rally, search 'Vast Curious' on Facebook, or visit Justgiving.com/vastcurious

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