A TEAM of charity fundraisers have set off on an epic 10,000- mile car rally.
Aamir Riaz, 22, Ryan Boyle, Graeme Mathers and Billy Conkie, all 21, are aiming to complete the Mongol Rally – driving from Glasgow to the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator.
The group set off on Friday in Aamir's 1.2litre Renault Clio.
The four, who call themselves the Flying Scotsmen, will drive through at least 16 countries in a month and hope to raise more than £2000 for Save the Children and Mongolian children's charity, Lotus Children's Center.
Last week Ryan, 21, from Crookston, said he was looking forward to the "adventure experience".
He said: "It's a fantastic experience so I just really want to get going. We have been working on it for almost a year now so it is a case of just not being able to wait to get going."
The group has had first aid training, with sponsor Emcare Solutions, and a basic mechanics course in preparation for the journey. They have had to take all equipment – including tools, first aid kits and water purification tablets – with them.
In Kazakhstan they will have to negotiate a 600km stretch of dirt track through a desert.
Ryan, who studies History and Politics at Strathclyde University, said: "Considering we are sheltered in the Western culture you miss a lot of great experiences and it is going be great going to places like Mongolia which are known for their hospitality. It is really just about broadening horizons.
"There are places where there are no roads, it is just dirt tracks so we are just going to have to be careful about what we do.
"The biggest danger is that we are out in the desert and the car breaks down or we get a burst tyre. Obviously when we are in the middle of nowhere we will have no one to cover us so it is about being sensible on the roads.
"We've heard stories about corrupt guards and when you are in unknown places with unknown people there is always a danger. It is about being careful where you can and enjoying the rest of it."
For more information about their adventure, visit www.flyingscots men.co.uk
matty.sutton@ heraldandtimes.co.uk