There was plenty of cheering and clapping on Saturday morning as people lined the streets of Charlestown to watch over 50 cars set off on their way to Saint Tropez as part of the Banger Rally Challenge. 

Saint Tropez or Bust will see the participants travel thorough 8 countries in 7 days to raise money for charity. 

Along the way they will be able to enjoy some of Europe’s best scenic routes while being involved in a number of challenges along the way to spice up the long journey leading them to the south coast of France. 

The organisers do not reveal the route of the trip before-hand, only the start and finish destinations, providing a feeling of stepping into the unknown for the teams taking on the challenge. A buoyant crowd gathered at Charlestown to watch the bangers start their eventful trip across Europe, while later on that day the group stopped off at the Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire where four very lucky individuals where chosen to have a go around the track with veteran racing driver Tiff Needell. 

This was followed up on Monday with a visit to the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, where the convoy got the chance to complete a few laps around the famous Grand Prix track.

The vehicles, most of which have been very creatively-decorated by their owners, either cost less than £1,000 or are over 15 years old. Some participants have entered in younger vehicles that don’t fit the banger criteria but will still be raising money for their chosen charity. 

This is the 10th year the Banger Rally Challenge has taken place, the first of which took the bangers on a trip to Monte Carlo back in 2011. Other glorious destinations they have reached in previous years include the historic cities of Rome and Barcelona among many others.

The rally was set up by Tom Marshall and Gary Warren of the St Austell Round Table and ever since the first event the challenge has grown significantly in popularity which has seen it gain a big following with many teams taking part year after year. 

With many competitions to be contested along the way the end of the trip will see prizes be handed out to the overall winning team. The victorious team will win an epic £500 which will be donated to the charity of their choice, 2nd place will receive £300 and 3rd place £100. 

The best themed car will also receive £300. Over the course of the events tenure, they have collectively raised more than £1.2 million for local charities.