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The 4L Trophy, an iconic humanitarian adventure

The 4L Trophy is much more than just a race; it embodies the spirit of adventure and solidarity. Open only to young people under the age of 28, this event involves traveling nearly 6,000 km across the Moroccan desert in a Renault 4L loaded with school and sports supplies for disadvantaged children. Founded in the 1990s, the 4L Trophy has enabled the construction of thirty schools in remote areas of Morocco, thanks to funds raised by participants and donated to the Enfants du désert association.

The adventure of Team AUR4, two students from the University of Georgia

Two UGA students, Mattéo Besse and Corentin Blaye, took up the challenge of participating in this thrilling race by forming the dynamic Team AUR4. Sponsored by the Faculty of Law, they proudly wore the institution's colors during the 2024 edition of the 4L Trophy. Now back from this exceptional adventure, Mattéo and Corentin share their experiences and memories with us.

The interview with Mattéo and Corentin

How would you describe your experience at the 4L Trophy in a few words?

The 4L Trophy experience is an unforgettable adventure for us, guided by humanitarianism and based on tremendous solidarity among the participants.

What motivated you to participate in this event?

What motivated us to participate in the 4L Trophy was first and foremost the challenge of setting up such a project for two students: finding sponsors, communicating effectively, organizing events, preparing the car... But it was also the desire to participate, for the first time, in a humanitarian event of unimaginable magnitude: more than 9 tons of food donated to the French Red Cross (more than 15,000 meals), more than €20,000 in donations to the Enfants du Désert association, as well as huge donations of school and sports supplies. Finally, it is also an event filled with solidarity among the participants: we ride in groups of friends, we help each other out at all hours of the day and night, and all of this creates wonderful, unforgettable memories.

Can you share a highlight of your adventure with us?

During our adventure, we encountered a particularly memorable moment when we had to deal with a mechanical problem that stranded us at the bivouac for two days. However, what could have been a disaster turned into an incredible experience thanks to the solidarity of the other teams, who not only provided us with the necessary parts, but also offered their help to repair our vehicle as quickly as possible. This episode showed us how much mutual aid and camaraderie were present in this adventure, and it will remain etched in our memories as an example of the strength of community in difficult situations.

How did the Faculty of Law support your participation in the 4L Trophy?

The Faculty of Law was our biggest source of support, both financially and morally, throughout our participation in the 4L Trophy. Financially, its contribution was essential for the purchase and initial repairs of our vehicle. In addition to this, the Faculty of Law provided us with considerable moral support. It published an article about our participation and followed us throughout the adventure, even when we had no network coverage for two days. The Dean also presented our project at last year's bachelor's degree graduation ceremony in Valencia. This public recognition of our initiative reinforced our feeling of support and encouragement from the Faculty. In conclusion, the support of our former academic institution was a valuable source of motivation.

What challenges did you face during this race, and how did you overcome them?

During this race, we faced several major challenges, including fatigue, mechanical problems, and communication difficulties. First of all, fatigue was a constant challenge. Driving between 400 and 700 kilometers every day in the desert in a Renault 4L was already a sporting challenge in itself. The concentration required to navigate through difficult terrain and keep the vehicle in good working order was exhausting. Next, we encountered mechanical challenges. Although we didn't have any major breakdowns, a problem with our four shock absorbers arose on the first day of the race. This immobilized us for two days while we repaired and reinforced the shock absorbers so we could resume the race. These mechanical setbacks added a stressful dimension to our adventure. In addition, communication was a constant challenge. Networks were often weak or non-existent, making it difficult to send and receive news. This often isolated us from the outside world and complicated coordination with our support team. Despite these challenges, we managed to overcome the obstacles thanks to our determination and team spirit. We also helped many other teams every day, whether it was changing an engine at 2 a.m., redoing a cylinder head gasket, or repairing carburetors. This solidarity among participants helped mitigate the difficulties we encountered. Ultimately, each challenge we overcame strengthened our determination to achieve our goal and successfully complete the race.

How did participating in the 4L Trophy benefit you?

Participating in the 4L Trophy was an incredibly enriching experience for us on a personal level. When we were in the middle of the desert, facing physical and logistical challenges, the little annoyances of everyday life suddenly seemed less important. This experience helped us take a step back and appreciate the important things in life. Secondly, participating in the 4L Trophy equipped us with solid project management skills. Planning and coordination were necessary to organize our participation, find sponsors, prepare the vehicle, and navigate through the desert. This experience taught us to be organized, anticipate challenges, and work effectively as a team to achieve our goals. In addition, this adventure allowed us to develop essential interpersonal skills. Solidarity and cooperation with other participants were essential to overcoming the obstacles we encountered along the way. We had to learn to work together, solve problems quickly, and support each other in difficult times. These skills are valuable in all aspects of life, both professionally and personally. Finally, the 4L Trophy gave us a new perspective on the world and on ourselves. Traveling through varied landscapes, meeting people from different cultures, and contributing to humanitarian projects opened our minds and allowed us to discover new passions and motivations.

Article written by Albane Vallon, communications intern at the Grenoble Law School