Click the links below for live updates on the Autogas Challenge

• Lands End Autogas Challenge live Day 1
• Lands End Autogas Challenge live Day 2
• Lands End Autogas Challenge live Day 3
• Lands End Autogas Challenge live Day 4

Lands End to John O'Groats9th September 2010

On September 9th 2010, 22 assorted vehicles all running on LPG / Autogas, will be setting off from Lands End in Cornwall to John O'Groats Scotland. The challenge is to dive economically, so that the percentage difference in MPG between petrol and LPG is as small as possible. OEMs, Main dealers, autogas converters, and the general public can all compete to win this national award.

We need to raise awareness of the LPG industry by doing things that are simple and that people can understand. We all know the cost of transporting ourselves to work and this will show the other sides of LPG, namely: the reduction of CO2; proof of how inexpensive LPG is and (that old chestnut) disprove the perceived lack of filling stations.

We will assemble in Exeter at Gas Power UK Ltd for the first media opportunity then head down to Penzance and a hotel for the first night away and a second (media opportunity). The Following morning we will head to Lands End fill up with LPG (Lima Autogas) (media opportunity), we anticipate being sent off by an MP who is green minded. We then continue to Gloucester at Country Wide Farmers (another media opportunity) where we will fill up with LPG. We then head for the next filling station in Preston / Bolton (another media opportunity), and then the hotel for the second night away (media opportunity). That night a coach will be on hand to transport all 44 drivers to a curry house. The following morning we head to Edinburgh (another media opportunity) for the next fill up and then on to John O'Groats for the final autogas fill up. After a media opportunity, we will be heading back to Inverness to the hotel for the last night away, and the presentation awards media opportunity. That night a coach will be on hand to transport all 44 drivers to a restaurant, the following morning we will disband and each team of drivers / car will find their own way home.

After the trip is completed the findings will be announced (we're confident this will be news that the media will love to have, i.e. which vehicle did what MPG / CO2 and what that would mean for the average motorist who is looking at alternative fuels, how easy was it to find and what is the national average price for LPG.

We have a Van that will be doing this trip on LPG Diesel enrichment; this will be a new thing to the public (and we hope that media like this sort of innovation and the implications of this on the transport industry). A Toyota Prius will also be completing this challenge as a Tri-fuel vehicle. The novelty will be a "Tuk Tuk" or "Auto Rickshaw" as they are known in India (if it makes the distance).

Participants / Teams

The entrance fee is set at £250.00 which covers accommodation, breakfast, and coaches to the evening events. Any profit we make will be donated to HELP THE HEROES.

LPG Equipment suppliers

The entrance fee is set at £250.00 but LPG Equipment suppliers can sponsor an award that will help the final donation. LPG Equipment suppliers have a chance to prove their system are better than the competition as a league table will be drawn up at the end listing the equipment used how good the MPG was, the reliability.If the cars are sign-written then there is a chance to raise public awareness for their product / equipment (if there is no representation from a supplier then the public will wonder how good their equipment is).

LPG fuel suppliers

At every filling up point the press will be taking photographs and filming, so this is a opportunity for the fuel suppliers to show they are at the forefront of the Autogas industry as well as promoting a filling station for very little money.

What we are asking from the LPG fuel suppliers is to donate the LPG fuel at one filling point only for the drivers involved in the autogas challenge, and (if funds allow) to organise a buffet for the drivers and the Press. The press will always turn up where there is free food.

The Local & National Press

This will be a national public interest story showing the environmental potential of Autogas. The challenge will highlight how little the emissions are and how inexpensive it is to dive on autogas. The Autogas Industry will be show casing the latest developments in the Autogas arena including Diesel enrichment and tri fueled vehicles.In some cases the developers will be there for you to ask questions as well as talk to the drivers. The fuel suppliers are providing a buffet.

This is not a race it's a driving challenge to get the best MPG out of a vehicle on Petrol and LPG. Awards will be made for the following:

• The closest MPG between Autogas and Petrol;
• The best tri-fuel vehicle (closest MPG between Autogas / electric, and Petrol / electric);
• The Best MPG from a Vehicle on Autogas (only);
• The Best MPG from a Vehicle on Petrol (only);
• The Best Poker hand;
• The oldest vehicle to complete the trip under its own power.

Rules

• Participants must have paid the entrance fee in full before 1 August 2010;
• The entrance fee will pay for the hotels coaches and breakfasts.Evening meals, drinks etc. will be paid for by the participant;
• Petrol / LPG Fuel will be paid for by each driver (Sponsorship by the LPG fuel suppliers may mean this will be at a dramatically reduced rate or even free);
• LPG only is to be used on the trip from Lands End to John O'Groats (the time running on petrol to warm up and change over will be deducted at the end)
• Each Vehicle must have 2 drivers;
• All participants must obey the rules of the Road;
• Each driver will change over at the refuelling points 200 miles or before if required;
• Vehicles will only refuel at the designated refuelling points;
• The Fuel marshal will monitor refuelling of all the vehicles, at the start of the trip, at each refuelling point, and at the end of the trip;
• Vehicles are not allowed to drive in convoy;
• Each Vehicle must have breakdown cover;
• Poker cards can only be collected from the fuel marshal after filling up with fuel;
• To avoid cheating, the What Car (used car price guide) will be used as the bench mark for MPG on Petrol, any car exceeding the MPG on petrol by more than 5% will be disqualified;
• Any participant not obeying these rules will be disqualified and will be excluded from any prize(s) they may have won;
• The organisers word will be final on any disputes on the above points.

Prizes

• Closest MPG = £250.00 Top Prize;
• Best on Autogas =£150.00;
• Best on petrol = £100.00;
• The best tri-fuel vehicle which is closest MPG between Autogas / electric, and Petrol / electric = £75.00
• The best Poker hand = £50.00;
• The oldest vehicle to complete the trip under its own power. = £100.00;
• All vehicles will receive a Certificate of completion & road trip pennant / badge.