Each event has its own set of Frequently Asked Questions, with specific questions and answers found on that event's particular site or in our Rally Forum. However, here are a few of the most basic things we get asked regarding StreetSafari and our events in general.

Of course, if you don't find what you're looking for, feel free to contact us.

What is a banger rally?

Tsk tsk tsk. Lose 100 points for not paying attention. See long, drawn-out explanation here.

I see the term Street Safari written as both "Street Safari" and "StreetSafari". Why is that and which is right?

Rather than bore you with the technicalities of the name, just know that both are right and which is used depends on where and how it is used. Street Safari LLC is a legitimate, registered, legally formed business entity. When referring to the underlying organization, we use this form of the word. When referring to the event structure, the event brand, or the experience in general, the form StreetSafari is used. Like any good puppy, however, we answer to either name.

Where can I find a list of StreetSafari events?

That's an easy one. A current list of official StreetSafari events can always be found on this web site. Specifically, you can check here.

How often are new events added?

We didn't start out with a list of events and then tease the public until the events eventually gained enough steam to be scheduled. We have allowed the demand to dictate the number of events we run. This assures that while we have obvious quantity, we maintain quality as well. Generally, however, we have added one event each year, as well as adding an inaugural American event in 2006. Each event plans to continue into the foreseen future. It is highly likely that new events will continue to be added, with a definite addition planned for 2007. But we're not telling where...

How do I sign up for a StreetSafari event?

Each event has its own web site with complete event details. A sign up page is prominently accessible from every page. Events are "re-launched" every year on a pre-announced date and registration closes when all available spaces are filled. Some events fill quicker than others. Newly established events typically fill slower than events that have taken place for several years.

The event I'm interested in is booked up. Can I signup early or pre-book for the upcoming year?

Hmmm... if we did that, each event would be booked up three years in advance. How boring would that be? Staples2Naples would currently be booked until about 2013 based on its notification mailing list. Unfortunately, booking in advance just isn't possible. As we said, the events with longer history typically fill the quickest, some with blinding speed (S2N2006 booked out in just over 4 minutes... we don't know about you but we consider that blinding speed). You can be assured, however, that regardless of the event offered, the same excellent StreetSafari experience awaits.

Will signing up for an event one year make it easier to get onto another event the following year?

The only guaranteed spaces on any StreetSafari event are those awarded to previous year's winners. Previously participating teams, however, regardless of event, are definitely more likely to find a place on a following year's event. Registration opens in phases, first to teams returning from that particular event, then to teams returning from any StreetSafari event, then to the public in general. Time limits apply to each different class of team. For teams serious about getting a space on a particular event, it is not a bad idea to participate in one of the other events to begin with, then -- almost literally -- move up the ladder.

If I sign up for an event but a new event is launched in the meantime, can I transfer to the new event?

We understand that different places appeal to different people. One man's Naples is another man's Prague and vice versa. As more and more exotic destinations are announced, it is understandable that paid teams may wish to change their event. This is generally not a problem, so long as pre-announced cut-off dates (which vary by event) have not passed. Transfers must be approved by the Organisers in advance. Teams may be subject to additional fees depending on the fee structure of the event to which they are transferring. Any places vacated by transferring teams are not refilled.

Do I have to have a team or car arranged before signing up for an event?

No. You can sign up and then take as many drunken weekends as you need to convince your friends that driving a horrible wreck of a car across ancient, twisting, turning roadways is a good idea. We don't even need to know anything about your car until immediately before the event. In fact, the S2N2004 winners flew into England from the United States, picked up a car at the last minute, and made it to Naples with the winning score. There is no special recipe, it seems.

How much does it cost to enter an event?

Fees vary depending on several factors, including which event it is, how many people are on your team, and what extra options your team adds to its registration. Some events have greater expenses and because each and every participant receives one or more items as part of the event, it may be necessary to assess a charge per member over a pre-determined limit. This isn't arbitrary, this is often necessary because it costs more to outfit a team of four than of two and additional charges are the most equitable way of equipping each team.

Do I need to pay for the event at the time I register?

This depends on the event. New events are much more likely to offer deferred payment. In fact, you can sign up for whatever you want, but no space is confirmed until payment is recieved. Likewise, an event is considered full and registration is closed when all available places have been paid for. For example, you can signup for a 100-team event and not pay, but as soon as 100 teams have paid their fees, unless you are one of the teams paid up, you do not have a confirmed place on the event. If the event's limit is firm, as most European events are, then the event is closed and your team is removed from the roster completely.

If I signup and can't make it, are refunds available?

Every event will have its own rules for the availability of refunds and this information will be posted on that event's site or will be circulated among teams directly via that particular event's mail list.

If I signup and can't make it, can I transfer or resell my team's space?

Team spaces are non-transferrable. You can change team members within your team if a team member can't attend. You are able to do this through your team administration area on the event web site. You may not, however, replace all members of your team. This is a different team! Likewise, any places vacated by teams transfering (with pre-approval, conditions may apply) from one event to another are not refilled.

Why do you have this policy?

The reason for this is simple. We, ourselves, have been approached by teams offering outrageous prices so that we might add "just one more" team. It is not our intention to create an inflated resale market for our most popular events simply because the route can not accomodate an unlimited amount of teams. These events are not about who has the most means. There are other events for that, feel free to spend £££ or $$$ there. Don't get us wrong, we can't run these events out of the mere goodness of our hearts and there are more expenses involved than most people imagine. The foundation of these events, however, is "the banger rally for wage slaves", or as one journalist put it "the rally for the rest of us". We want to stay true to that foundation.

What does the registration fee cover?

In addition to prizes and materials given out before and during the event, registration fees pay for the organization and administrational overhead of running the event. A great deal of time and expense that is never seen goes into the development and performance of each event, regardless of how many times the event has previously taken place.

I or my organization would love to put on an event like this! Can you offer advice, insight, or help?

It is hard to believe how many times we are asked this. While it seems like a simple enough thing to do, there have been those who took up a similar event, only to find out in the worst possible way just how draining and disappointing it can be, financially and otherwise. We have put many years and countless miles behind us to learn what works and what doesn't, what people do and do not expect from such an event. Going into foreign cultures can be a difficult, even risky thing to do. Too often, we have seen people or organizations take shortcuts, literally chipping pieces off our own hard work and passing it off as theirs. After all, there are more places to start a rally than Calais, France, and there are other price points for cars besides £100, but some people would rather copy someone else's plan than adopt their own. After a while, it's tiresome to begin to see even your own web sites being duplicated. Quite simply, the answer to the question is no.

I or my organization are a charity and would love to put on an event like this.... etc etc etc

This is a seemingly similar, but very different question to the one above. We are always in search of legitimate, worthy charities interested in working with us for our mutual benefit. The 2006 rally season saw the introduction of the Rally Charity Challenge, wherein teams were awarded their first set of challenge points based on money raised for charity. If you are decision making personnel, or would like to point decision making personnel from your own favorite charity to us, please feel free to contact us for more information.

I am a journalist or a member of press. Where can I get more information? Is it possible to attend a StreetSafari event?

Journalists and videographers are nothing new to StreetSafari events. Every event seems to pick up at least one team from the press or creative media. Likewise, we are approached by press all along our routes. This is not a boast, it's a documented truth. We've always thought it was all a little weird. Which probably also explains the interest. The only thing that seems to explain it is that eccentricity and unusual ventures strike the popular fancy. By all means, feel free to contact us. Our dedicated, professional press department will be more than happy to assist.

How much money do I need to budget for the average event?

For American events, this question has absolutely no right answer. This is totally dependent on your spending nature, as no stopover is very far from a center of commerce. For Americans the lure of Wal-Mart or Lowe's is a hard thing to resist. Americans also have this way of sniffing out a bargain, or have a favourite hotel/motel with whom they accumulate perks and discounts. For the European events, however, it's a bit more structured, as hotels and restaurants are limited and for the most part, pre-arranged. The cost of your vehicle's up-keep, repairs, fuel, parking and tolls are the bare minimum of your expenses. Hotels and meals for each night, along with meals during the day, incidental purchases or entertainment outside the event are also expenses that you may incur. If you plan to turn your car over to a scrapper at the event's end, expect a fee. The cost of your transportation back home, regardless of whether you drive or fly, needs to also be taken into consideration. These are your own out-of-pocket expenses and you should make arrangments among your team for their coverage.

I'm an American who would like to attend a European event, or vice versa. Is there an easy way to get help?

We are so glad you asked. You wouldn't be the first trans-Atlantic adoptee to successfully make it into a "foreign" rally. With the beginning of the 2007 rally season, however, we have plans in the works to make this a fun and simplified process. Expect an announcement before the winter of 2006.

Can I sign up somewhere to get updates?

Of course you can. Simply use any mailing list signup form found on any StreetSafari site.

I still have questions, where do I find them?

Encyclopedias are good. We especially like Wiki, but the all-time winner has got to be Google. However, for questions about StreetSafari or StreetSafari events, you can always read the complete FAQ. If you still don't find your answer, you can contact us or better yet, visit our Rally Forum. The sheer volume of forum denizens and rally mavens assures that your question will be answered in the quickest time possible. And the answer may even be close to correct! At the very least, you will meet some interesting people and get a special insight into what StreetSafari is really all about.