Unfortunately, due to the epidemic, this year's Olympic Games can no longer be held, but at the Shanghai Automobile Museum, you can see the "Olympic Off-Road" - he is our new friend,? Land Rover discovered the "Camel Cup" version. Behind this car represents the most adventurous car event in the world - the Camel Trophy

In the 1970s and 1980s, car rallies began to have some off-road events. It has gradually developed especially in areas with harsh climate and terrain such as America and Africa. It was under this influence that the Camel Cup was born. The reason why it is called the Camel Cup originates from the initiator of the competition: Camel cigarettes.

As far as the camel brand is concerned, both the text and the logo are full of exotic sentiments. The camel logo has a feeling of the Egyptian desert, which goes well with cross-country adventures. The founder, Reynolds, was also influenced by the exotic customs. Camel was founded.

Cars in the collection of Shanghai Automobile Museum: 1993 Williams FW15C

In the past, the sponsors of many automobile events were tobacco companies, which were an inseparable and important element of racing. Historically, Camel was a famous sponsor in F1. From 1991 to 1993, Camel sponsored the Williams team and became a part of the world championship. In addition, Camel has also sponsored many events such as Nadakar and MotoGP. Due to the introduction of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, tobacco companies have gradually faded out of the racing stage.

The Camel Cup can be said to be the most successful competition planned by tobacco brands, but it is more of a dangerous adventure than a competition.

In the words of event director Iain Chapman: "The focus of the Camel Cup is adventure, testing people's endurance and adaptability. It is not just a pure competition. Anyone over the age of 21 can apply to participate. The winners faced the harsh nature through their driving and mechanical skills, courage and perseverance.”

The first Camel Cup was held in 1980. Six brave men from West Germany drove 3. A Ford U50 produced in Brazil started from near the coast of Brazil and crossed the Amazon Transamazonica Highway to the inland Amazon city of Santrem. The three vehicles struggled in the muddy, hot, and humid environment, and the vehicles were seriously damaged. After the game, the organizers had to look for new vehicle candidates.

Shanghai Automobile Museum Collection Car: 1968 Land Rover IIA

Even so, this 12-day off-road adventure still made the Camel Cup more famous, and the event ushered in its second year Extension. With a savvy publicist and the good reputation of the Defender, Range Rover and other ranges, Land Rover became the new partner of the Camel Cup.

1981 was the first year that Land Rover participated in the Camel Cup. Five teams drove the new two-door Range Rover through the jungles of Sumatra. The climate of the more than 1,600-kilometer race course was varied, covering volcanic mountains, tropical rainforests and other terrains. At certain moments, they had to tie several vehicles together with winches and cables to prevent them from falling into danger.

With everyone’s efforts, all five teams raced smoothly. Compared with the finish of only two teams in the previous edition, Land Rover’s success is obvious. It was designated as the Camel Cup for the next 18 years. Participating vehicles.

As a sponsor, Land Rover has equipped all participating cars and logistics vehicles with special equipment through the special vehicle department, including: unified sand yellow painting, luggage racks, overhead searchlights, winches, and cables. , anti-roll bars, fuel tanks, ladders, etc. Equipment changes depending on where the competition takes place, and there are even mountain bikes, axes, and shovels. The competition not only tests off-road skills, but in many cases, contestants must use their own strength to clear the way.

In 1982, the Camel Cup developed into an adventure competition representing multiple countries and regions. For the first time, it welcomed teams from multiple countries, including West Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and the United States. The participating teams* **8 pieces. This competition was held in Papua New Guinea, and the competition was extremely difficult. It took most of the competition just to overcome obstacles and build bridges. At the same time, the race will pass through the territories of several primitive tribes. This island country in northern Australia has the most remote tribes in the world, and people know very little about them.

Clay figurines watch the Range Rover

The encounter with the local clay figurine tribe during the competition fully embellishes the wonderful feeling of the meeting of two worlds. The clay figurine wearing a huge dry mud mask holds a Curiosity took over the car, and this photo happened to become a common promotional material for the Camel Cup.

With the development of the Camel Cup, thousands of people apply for registration every year. These people come from different countries, have different cultures, languages ??and customs, and gather together for the same purpose. . Unlike many other competitions and sports, their goal is not to be first, but to prove to themselves and overcome physical and mental challenges along the way.

Even if the contestants have high ambitions, the selection is very strict and the selection process is reviewed by a team of evaluation experts. Only 4 people from each country can be shortlisted. Organizers will search for the most challenging cross-country terrain in the world and the harshest natural environments in the world. In addition to the Amazon mentioned earlier, there are also places such as Borneo, Zaire, and Siberia.

Roaring rivers, endless mud puddles, building temporary bridges, etc. are the main themes of the Camel Cup.

In 1983, this competition opened up a new content. Each team brought a team of professional doctors and medicines to provide free diagnosis, treatment and assistance to residents along the way who lacked medical treatment. During the competition, the participating teams The bridges or road sections built in the project were permanently left to the local area as gifts.

After the competition, many vehicles will be donated to local organizations. Therefore, there are very few original Land Rover Camel Cups available on the market. Many Land Rover owners will choose to modify their cars. It looks like a camel cup to show respect.

The Camel Cup has transformed from a marketing campaign into the "Olympic Games of Off-Road", earning Land Rover the reputation of "the adventurer's car of the 20th century".

In the 1980s, while Land Rover became famous in the Camel Cup, the off-road vehicles of Japanese manufacturers also began to attract much attention. Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota FJ and other models began to occupy the market. Land Rover also quickly turned its attention to new models. In the market segment, a new model was developed based on the Range Rover: Discovery. Compared with the luxurious Range Rover and the Defender that only focus on functionality, the Discovery fills a gap in the market very well.

As an excellent showcase for new cars, the Camel Cup is the best venue for discovery. With excellent functionality and durability, Discovery won the Camel Cup for eight consecutive years from 1990 to 1997. For Land Rover, the Camel Cup is undoubtedly its most important advertising point. As its influence increased, Discovery became the best-selling Land Rover model at the time.

In the late 1990s, as the Camel Cup became more and more entertainment-oriented, Land Rover believed that the event had deviated from the nature of off-road adventure. Coupled with changes in both companies, the two parties parted ways. It was originally scheduled to be held in Peru in 1999. After the Camel Cup was cancelled, it was turned into a rowing race in 2000.

1989 Camel Cup Champion

The sandy yellow Land Rover driving in the wilderness will always be the most classic off-road totem. If you want to know other competition stories, you are welcome to go to Taobao, Dangdang, etc. Purchase "A Brief History of Racing: One Hundred Years of Passionate Racing" produced by Shanghai Automobile Museum on the platform. The stock is limited, first come first served.

This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.