About S2N

The start in 2003...

Staples2Naples is the original and leading European banger rally. First run in 2003, it has grown to become one of the most sought after dates on the calendar. S2N2005 booked itself out in 22 days from start to finish. We expected S2N2006 to book itself in less than 2 days. Imagine our shock when online registration opened and the event completely booked out in just over 4 minutes!

The Banger Rally for Wage Slaves

S2N was an idea conceived to address the problem in the amount of time people have to spare. A banger rally is great fun, but many people are unable to take 3 weeks out of their lives to do this for the more exotic rallies. Either work or home committments make this impossible.

So S2N was created. It lasts 4 days over a weekend and covers around 1500 miles.

Where is Staples?

Staples is simply short for Staples Corner, the junction of the bottom of the M1.

However, like all great rallies, S2N doesn't start at Staples Corner. Plymouth Dakar doesn't start at Plymouth. And Paris Dakar doesn't start at Paris. Nor does it finish at Dakar, for that matter!

The S2N rally starts at Calais. The idea of starting at Staples Corner on a Friday morning at 7am is something close to a motorist nightmare.

Some trivia and images can be found here.

Where is Naples?

Italy. Southern Italy to be exact.

It is very beautiful city or a dirty hole depending on your outlook in life. Naples is only slighty spoiled by two particular natural occurances and one missing occurance: Italians, Italian drivers and street cleaners, respectively.

Drivers in Naples are also aware that there is no Italian for 'crash avoidance'.

On balance, Naples is a fantastic destination for a bunch of old bangers. Quite simply, our cars will be at home in Naples. In most cases our candidate vehicles are in better shape than the local vehicles.

In the last two or three years Naples has improved immeasurably, according to press reports. Road deaths are down by around 20%, and local bylaws have been introduced to make it an offence to keep your finger on the horn continuously.

This still makes Naples 3 times more dangerous than London and about 10 times louder.

The rally will finish outside Naples. Going into Naples is optional.

Try not to get mugged or shot in Naples. And if anyone offers you 'camera gear', think 'expensive bottles of water'. If you get the option, drive back to Rome and fly from there!

The Route

S2N generally takes in 3 countries at the least, France, Switzerland, and Italy, but some teams have managed to take in additional countries along the way. In the past, teams have made it to the finish line by way of Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and more. Exactly how they managed to fit them all in over four days and still make it to the end, we really do not want to know. The phrase 'plausible deniability' springs to mind.

We will spend a whole day in Switzerland on the passes once again. Quite simply, the roads in Switzerland are just stunning and great fun to drive but we will be changing the passes we cross over.

This year we are again looking to cross over La Tremola which is the old St. Gotthard pass. It's a small windy road with cobblestones all the way. Ideal for beaten up old cars.

Taking in Stelviopass in Northern Italy will be optional for any team that wants to do it. Stelvio is more or less on the way to the stopover for the night.

We then get to spend two days hurtling through Italy, experiencing some of the worst driving in Europe.

Remember, in Italy flashing your headlights means 'get out of the way'. And its not so much a 'flash' in Italy as 'strobing furiously'.

What's the Prize?

You mean besides the overwhelming relief, absolute amazement, and earned respect of your fellow ralliers for having rattled and banged your way to the end with the most points?

The Team that manages to acquire the most points over 4 days of hard driving and (sometimes quirky) challenges will get £1000 in cash.

The second place team will win £350 and the third place team will win £150.

You must, however, make it to the end! No good breaking down 5 miles from Naples, unless you intend to push it!

We will also give away several awards to Teams who we feel have earned it. These will be decided throughout the year, however, the current list is: