Automotive Engineering students ride rally in 4L Renaults to Marrakesh
The 4 HAN University Automotive students have been on the road for over a week as team HAN4L. A dream adventure of 8,500 kilometers that started on Valentine's Day in Arnhem and ends via the desert in Marrakesh. They are participating in a humanitarian rally in 2 old 1983 Renault 4Ls. Among others, the students were waved off by Arnhem Mayor Marcouch and the Moroccan ambassador to the Netherlands. Why this adventure?
While studying Automotive Engineering at HAN University, Jasper Gerritsen (19), Alex Alvarez Asanza (20), Valentin Weckesser (23) and Daniel Huber (20) modified iconic Renault 4s with the goal of driving the 4L Trophy to Morocco in 3 weeks. They left on 15 Februray (a day after fundraising day) with school supplies in the cars for children in remote Atlas areas.
The 4L Trophy officially started on 20 February in Biarritz, France, and the students, along with many other participants, have since finished successfully in Marakesh on 28 February. It is already the fifth time that HAN University of Applied Sciences is participating in this rally for a good cause.
Mayor Marcouch absolutely loves it. “So inspiring to see how these students bridge the gap between the Netherlands and Morocco with their technical knowledge, enthusiasm and courage.” The Moroccan ambassador to the Netherlands, Mohamed Basri, also underlines the importance of knowledge and innovation as a common goal. Together, they also donated school supplies at the Eusebius Church (see video).
Green hydrogen production
In Arnhem, companies and institutions are working together in The Economic Board Regio Arnhem Nijmegen on renewable energy, while Morocco is investing heavily in solar and wind energy, for green hydrogen production. This emphasizes the mutual bond.
The students could win the rally by reaching the final destination with as few kilometers as possible. But that is not the HAN students' main goal. Rally participants take school supplies, clothing, toys and sports equipment for poor children living in the desert areas of Morocco.
“The most important thing is that we can make the children happy with the school supplies,” said Jasper Gerritsen. “I am lucky that I can study in the Netherlands and that everything is so well organized. But that is not a given everywhere.” The students stood at the Eusebius Church to receive donations and school supplies. The items, for which they made an appeal on social media, went along in the cars. “It all fit exactly,” Jasper says with a laugh.
Daniel Huber complements him, “They are old cars, which can break down quickly. That's why we take enough parts with us so we can repair the car along the way.”
Sources: HAN, De Gelderlander, Arnhemse Koerier, RTV Connect
Photography and video: Erik Rijpstra
