You don't need a challenge truck to take part; any sensibly equipped 4x4 should be up to the event. Initially teams only know where they are starting from, the route being kept top secret till roadbooks are handed out along the way but It does, generally, end in Cheshire.

The event has a contagious spirit and camaraderie and, although it is a seriously competitive event with trophies for various stages, the main purpose of the Mac 4x4 is to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Since the first run in 2002 the total raised to date is £420,000 with the 2008 total currently at £100,000 and still rising.

In May 2000 a group of enthusiasts saw a gap in the 4x4 events programme and decided to introduce a new event to mark the Millennium. The objective being to provide an interesting 'Challenge' for 4x4 owners/addicts/enthusiasts over a weekend somewhere in the UK, whilst supporting a worthy charity.

"The Mac 4x4" was 'born'. After two false starts, in November 2000 because of a petrol blockade and March 2001 due to Foot and Mouth, March 2002 proved to be a case of third time lucky! The event took place but with only 8 teams. Enthusiasm and quality made up for numbers, however and a magnificent £8,000 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

With a hard core of supporters developing, a website in place getting lots of hits, a healthy forum, supportive items in club and national magazines and the all important word of mouth the event has become well established. From the 8 teams of 2002 the event has grown annually with its spirit of fun, quality and enthusiasm, combined with the mix of offroading, navigation and observation. The number of teams taking part has now reached a self imposed maximum of 60 teams. One constant feature is that every year since the beginning the average sponsorship raised has been over £1,000 per team.

The amount of generous sponsorship has increased year on year. We thought a record had been set by the 52 teams who raised £67,000 in 2006; the year in which, having covered most of the UK already, we took to the high seas and went to Ireland. We were proved wrong however as in 2007 the enthusiasm for raising sponsorship seemed to grow even more with a final, incredible, total of £110,000!

The 2008 Event - All 60 places went in just 9 days, and those that committed to this event were not disappointed when they visited 5 different countries. At the award Dinner the total raised was announced as £75,000, but this has since grown to £100,000 and is still rising!

The applications for 2009 opened on the evening of 15^th April and all 60 places had been taken by the post delivered on Saturday 19^th April! Another Mac record. Six more teams whose applications were posted before the weekend have also been admitted but there is now a waiting list.