The world is a confusing place, so here are some Frequently Asked Questions to help you out. Click a quandry to jump to the relevant answer.
1. How can I contact the SBA team directly?
2. This event seems a awfully similar to the Student Gumball Rally...
4. Could you give me some advice about driving abroad?
6. How do you accept payment when we register?
7. Am I allowed to get sponsorship to help fund the trip?
8. Any ideas on how to raise cash/find sponsors?
9. What happens after the event finishes?
10. Can international students at a UK university or college take part?
12. Why does one driver have to be over 21?
13. Can we bring mates that haven't been to uni?
16. So how much do I initially need to pay to register a team, just £50?
ANSWERS
1. How can I contact the SBA team directly?
Please direct any queries via email to infoATstudentbrakeaway.com or follow this link
2. This event seems a awfully similar to the Student Gumball Rally...
Actually we are the Student Gumball Rally, we just changed our name.
3. Help! When I told my motor insurance company I was taking part in a rally they said I wouldn't be covered. What do I do?
As far as your insurance company is concerned a "rally" is a competitive driving event, potentially involving time trials, speeding, off road driving etc... all things that DO NOT form part of the Student Brake Away. Therefore, describing the Student Brake Away as a "rally" to your insurance company is completely inaccurate and will only confuse them as to what you wish to do with the vehicle. You do not need any special racing or rallying cover to take part in the Student Brake Away, just standard motor insurance for driving overseas. The event is a driving holiday or, to put it in more familiar terms, a break away.
4. Could you give me some advice about driving abroad?
The AA has a run-down of overseas driving requirements here and you'll need to be familiar with them before you depart. You may want to check out the Drive Alive website as well.
5. How do I know if my team's choice of car is appropriate and "in keeping with the theme of the event"?
Well, you don't, to be honest. Not everyone would want to do the event in a clapped out banger or their mum's super-mini and we wouldn't ask you to, BUT this event is about coming together to do something amazing and we'd like to avoid there being a clear distinction on the road between the "haves" and the "have-nots". It's about your character and spirit, not your wallet. We want to be as flexible as possible to allow teams to surprise us with their entries and bring something original and challenging to the mix. For this reason we've resisted putting any concrete restrictions on value, age, engine size or power, but if you'd like a guideline then here are some of the vehicles we've refused so far: Range Rover HSE, 2006 Porsche Boxster.
6. How do you accept payment when we register?
All payment taken through the website will be processed via Paypal. The Student Brakeaway does not have access to any of your payment details making it a secure process for both parties. Payment can be made with a credit/debit card for no extra charge.
7. Am I allowed to get sponsorship to help fund the trip?
This event will receive a lot of media attention and so we encourage you to find a local sponsor to help fund the trip, but all national sponsors must be approved by us first. If you're taking time to raise money for yourselves then raise a bit for a good cause too (a good cause other than your bar tab).
8. Any ideas on how to raise cash/find sponsors?
You can download our sponsorship info pack by clicking here.
9. What happens after the event finishes?
It is up to you what you do once the Brake Away is over. Some teams may want to go straight back home and others may wish to take their time and go off and explore with their new found friends. All we want is for you to have the most amazing experience and will do anything we can to help make this happen.
10. Can international students at a UK university or college take part?
Yes. The event is open to all university students in Europe, and we actively encourage more students from other countries to enter as long as they can produce the necessary vehicle documentation.
The majority of UK car insurers offer fully comprehensive insurance as well as breakdown assistance for 90 days in all EU countries. Please make sure that you are insured as you will not be allowed to enter otherwise.
12. Why does one driver have to be over 21?
If your vehicle breaks down overseas and you are all under 21 then you won't be able to hire a replacement.
13. Can we bring mates that haven't been to uni?
The rules say a team can have a maximum of 5 members, two of which must be at, or have been to, university.... so the answer is yes, 3 of them.
14. Are we really limited to 5 people per team? Is it possible to bring more if we all chip in for a mini-bus?
The limit is 5 people per team, and one vehicle per team. That vehicle can be a mini-bus if you like though.
15. Is the £50 deposit an additional charge to the £235 entry fee, thus making the actual entry fee £285?
No, £195 is the total amount you will pay to enter, with the £50 deposit contributing towards the final payment.
16. So how much do I initially need to pay to register a team, just £50?
To secure your team's place you will need to pay a £50 deposit for each member of your team. So, a team of two people (the minimum) would need to pay £100 to secure their place.