THE RICKSHAW:

The auto rickshaw is a three-wheeled vehicle that is widely popular and in use in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and many other places in Asia. It may also be called a tuk-tuk. Most autorickshaws are designed to carry two to three passengers, but it’s not uncommon to see six to eight people riding in a single autorickshaw. If an auto rickshaw breaks down, it’s generally an easy fix. It can be easily lifted by two to three people and can be pushed by one person. The uniqueness of The Indian Auto Rickshaw Challenge attracts the adventurous, unusual and intrepid traveler along with the bored housewife or techie that needs a break from the office. The Indian Autorickshaw Challenge dares the contestants to think different, be spontaneous and expect the unexpected.

Most autorickshaws are black or green with a yellow rooftop, however our rickshaws tend to be more on the cutting edge with a touch of humor depending upon the artistic style of the contestants. Though small details make auto rickshaws unique from each other, the staff and support team of the Indian Autorickshaw Challenge want to push the envelope a bit and take the design to the extreme! “Pimp My Shaw” is our take on MTV’s well-known show, “Pimp My Ride,” where a team of technical and creative engineers alter and upgrade the features of run-down and trashy looking vehicles. The IndianARC Team is excited to offer this same service to teams looking to travel the exotic and truly extraordinary India in “pimped out style.” From chrome accessories, mini-bar, flashy stripes, and flame patterns to auto rickshaw spoilers, engine upgrades, and awesome rickshaw gear, our team will design your auto rickshaw to your specifications as well as to your creative taste! When you sponsor an autorickshaw, let us know how you’d like it designed. After we “pimp your shaw,” you’ll have a custom made traveling billboard that will catch the eye of a huge number of people. Our creative marketing strategy is certain to get the attention the sponsor is looking for.

This year, we will have two IndianARC challenges, The IndianARC Mumbai Express Rally 2007 will last thirteen days beginning August 5th in Chennai and ending in Mumbai August 17th 2007. The participants will travel 1921 km (1191 miles) across India in a heated race on volatile and perilous roads. The next rally is the IndianARC Classic Rally 2007 which begins December 31st in the busy streets of colorful Chennai and will end January 8th 2008 in the southern most part of India, Kanniyakumari. The race will expand across the 975 kilometers (582 miles) of steamy south India.

THE REWARD:

IndianARC, with the consultation and advice of The New Hope Society for Education and Social Welfare, will work together to bring relief for the deprived youth of India. By organizing sponsorship levels and allocating every penny of event profits to this worthy cause, the organizers of the Indian Auto rickshaw Challenge strive for the ultimate winners of this historic rally to be the children of India. It is not just the participants of the IndianARC that will benefit from this amazing event, but also the youth of rural India for generations to come. New Hope is a foundation that really cares, and has lent its considerable experience to help us develop our charitable strategy and organisation to maximum efficiency. Untouchability, Child abuse and child labour is a widespread problem in India and we believe children deserve a happy and healthy childhood, free from abuse and neglect. The Indian Autorickshaw Challenge team believes in eradicating child labour and is proud to promote better and more widely available education in India.

The rally’s crowning achievement is its fostering of the Adopt-A-Village program. In this completely independent and public humanitarian program, each competing team will be allocated an underprivileged rural village along the route to which they shall deliver gifts and financial aid. This aid changes the lives of the inhabitants, especially the children, for generations to come. The total amount this represents - as well as the improvement to each village - is difficult to overestimate. The funds and resources given to the villages are directly transferred by the participants themselves, never going the long way around via the organisation, guaranteeing each village is the direct and only beneficiary. It is the organiser’s firm belief that these great humanitarian efforts will make any sponsoring company or group proud to be affiliated with.

Participants, team members, sponsors, and staff will all have the opportunity and are encouraged to contribute to this worthy cause.

Those who participate in the IndianARC can expect some rewards as well! All participants of the Indian auto rickshaw Challenge will receive an individualized certificate of participation. Finishers of the race will receive a beautiful, custom-made IndianARC finisher’s medal and the top three teams with the highest points will each receive trophies. Along with priceless memories and unforgettable stories to tell the participants will also return home with evidence of their remarkable journey, feeling good to not only have participated in a one-of-a-kind event, but made a vital difference to a child’s life.