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Can you tell us about the 4L Trophy?

The 4L Trophy is a humanitarian project reserved for young people under the age of 28. It involves purchasing a Renault 4L, manufactured between the 1960s and the 1990s (I would advise against models prior to the 1980s as they were very basic!), and preparing it, or not, depending on what you want to do. The team must consist of two people (or three with special permission). The goal is to travel to Morocco and complete a 6,000 km loop. The car is loaded with 60 kg of school supplies and 60 kg of sports equipment for children in need in Morocco. The items are distributed halfway through the journey. Part of the registration fee is donated to the "Enfants du désert" association, which builds schools, sanitary facilities, and other facilities for children. Since the adventure began in the 1990s, thirty schools have been built.

What motivates you in this project?

What I like most about this adventure is the humanitarian aspect! I enjoy helping others and have wanted to take part in this race for a long time. The technical preparation of the vehicle also suits me well because I am curious, I like to learn and try new things. The historical aspect is also important. Being a history buff, I love the idea of doing this race in an old Renault 4!

How are you preparing for this project?

I started preparing this project well in advance. First, I created an association in 2021 to formalize things. There are two members: Lisa Sauzon, co-driver and treasurer of the association, and myself, driver and president of the association. Lisa is a first-year law student in Valence. My partner and I quickly set out to find a Renault 4L and took on the daring challenge of restoring it ourselves! The technical preparation for the project took a long time: we took the car apart piece by piece to repair and reassemble it correctly, taking into account the specifications requested by the race organizers. We also had to invest in communication tools to promote the project, which was important to me. This helped us in our search for sponsors, which was a difficult part of the project...

How does the Law School support you?

The Faculty of Law is our main sponsor. It has enabled us to make enormous progress since the start of the project, thanks to a financial contribution of €1,050, which covers the purchase of four advertising spaces on our car, on which the Faculty's logo will appear. We are also supported by Crédit Mutuel de Valence, which has provided our association with a bank account. Other sponsors have offered us support in kind by providing pens, sports T-shirts, and other items to give to the children. Thanks to this, we feel more confident about the project and can prepare for it properly.

Do you have to be a mechanical whiz to participate?

You don't need to be particularly knowledgeable about mechanics to take part. Personally, I get help from my friends and family from time to time, but most of the time I manage on my own. These cars don't have any electronics. But obviously, you need to be resourceful. Having people around to help can be useful, but once you're in the desert, you're on your own and you need to be able to react if you have to repair the car along the way. I rely heavily on technical manuals (which no longer exist for today's cars) and which were very useful in the past. They contain all the information you need to repair a car from A to Z. Of course, you can make mistakes, but you learn from your mistakes and you progress!

What should you do if you want to participate in a future edition?

The race is open to young people up to the age of 28, whether they are students or not. You can participate with an association or as an individual. There are several pre-registration periods. By registering during the first period, the fees are lower and you are guaranteed a place. This also allows you to start preparing for the project with greater peace of mind.

How do you feel two months before the race?

It's a project that requires full commitment. It may seem a little complicated when you're a student, but if you plan ahead and are well organized, it works!
Taking part in this adventure brings many benefits in many ways. You learn on a personal level, because you need to combine several qualities: being organized, knowing how to communicate, being good at mechanics, etc. You learn a lot from interacting with the other teams. There is a close-knit community among current and former participants. You can form friendships.
Professionally speaking, mentioning our participation in the 4L Trophy on our CVs is an asset when dealing with people who are familiar with the race. It's a project that takes a long time to prepare and requires boldness, confidence in negotiations, and good communication skills in general.
Finally, the humanitarian aspect is important. The satisfaction of seeing children happy to receive their supplies is very important to me.