From World’s Fastest Supercar to Two Weeks in an Autorickshaw

The Big Boys Toys Super Show, Abu Dhabi, launched in February in Beverly Hills, CA, with news that one of the world’s fastest street-legal supercars, the Maxximus G-Force, will be a star exhibitor at ADNEC (April 30 -May 2, 2009). Meanwhile, Dubai-based Jeff McMahan - the son of the car’s developer and owner - is planning a road trip that is a little more low-tech.

Jeff - along with two friends and fellow Dubai residents Helen Ahern and Pippa Daniels and fourth teammate Jason Lewis - is preparing for a journey traversing India for two weeks in an autorickshaw. As a competitor for the second time in the Rickshaw Run, Jeff and his team - Lucknow be 2 Ladies - aim to raise $100,000 for three worthy charities: the Frank Water Project, Carolina for Kibera and SOS Children’s Villages.

The team will be the only Middle East representatives in this gruelling 14-day challenge: a mammoth trek across India covering 5,000km from Shillong in the far North East, close to the border with Bangladesh, to Goa in the South West.

During the journey, from 11-26 April 2009, the team will cover terrain that includes mountains and dirt tracks, rivers and ravines, in an adventure that will be far from comfortable and a million miles away from the hi-tech motoring technology employed by the triple world record-breaking Maxximus G-Force. However, Jeff aims to be fully recovered from his adventures and back in Abu Dhabi to see the car installed as the main attraction for the opening day of The Big Boys Toys Super Show on 30 April.

Jeff McMahan said, “A trip in a tuk tuk bears no relation to taking the wheel of the Maxximus G-Force, and I certainly don’t expect to break any world speed records during our two weeks in India. That said, I’ll be using the family’s technical skills to keep the autorickshaw running smoothly and on the road for the duration, which isn’t going to be easy.

“In addition, the McMahan family has a heritage of philanthropy that I’m proud to be able to continue. Our goal is to raise US$ 100,000 for some very worthy charities whose work will make a significant contribution to the lives of thousands of families living in abject poverty and without access to clean water and sanitation.”

Jeff previously completed the Rickshaw Run in the summer 2008 event in just 10 days, coming first among more than 65 competitors. This time he plans to take things a little easier, and will take the full 14 days to complete the arduous course.

“I’ve promised the mothers of my team mates that I’ll take good care of them, so we’ll only be travelling by day, as travelling at night can be dangerous,” Jeff added. “And it goes without saying that the Rickshaw Run isn’t about winning – it may be a cliché, but it really is the taking part that counts. What matters is raising money for those who really need our help.”

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