Norman mosses approaching the desert

Marin Lelou and Matias Ruallem, both aged 20, decided from Lingreville, in Manche, to embark on the great and beautiful adventure of the 4L Trophy. This student raid is the turbulent child of Jean-Jacques Rey. During a bivouac with friends somewhere between Algeria and Mali during reconnaissance, this pilot, passionate about raids, realized that he would have liked to experience such an adventure at 20 years old. The crazy project germinates in his fertile mind and he quickly moves on to the testing phases on the Moroccan slopes aboard a legendary, versatile and above all inexpensive Renault 4L. In 1997, for the first edition, three brave crews set off armed with a road book and a compass.

Marin Lelou and Matias Ruallem, from the Normandy coasts to the Moroccan desert.

For the 26th edition, more than 1500 4Ls will set off on a raid with a sporting vocation, but above all human and humanitarian. A rally cool orientation, dedicated to 18-28 year olds of all nationalities which will see them venturing to the dunes of the Sahara. After crossing Spain, this group of friends will discover Morocco, from Tangier to the Atlas, from Merzouga to Ouarzazate, from Tichka to Marrakech. More than just a trip, a unique life experience through a journey of 12 days and 6500 kilometers.

The humanitarian aspect of the raid is a priority and the crews participating in the 4L Trophy are invited to support the action ofChildren of the desert by delivering material donations (school supplies and sports equipment) and by participating financially in the school construction project. A way to leave an imprint of your adventure in the daily life of schoolchildren in the desert.

Thanks to the financial support of the Trophists towards the association, 27 classrooms were created, including a school for children with disabilities, and each year their material donations make it possible to equip 20 children throughout the region. Discover the solidarity results of the Trophists here: https://enfantsdudesert.org/4l-trophy/

AUTOhebdo therefore decided to follow the crew this year 1273 which upholds the values ​​of courage, ingenuity and madness that are so dear to us. Sailor, 19 years old, is embarked on the Chausey stars and Matias, 20 years old, is a technical-commercial BTS student at STL Nautical. Long-time friends, they took on the challenge of completely restoring their car, a 4L F4 van from 1985 acquired at the start of 2022. A marathon then began for the two friends in order to be ready for the technical and administrative checks on February 15, 2023 in Biarritz.

There was still a little work left before going to face the dunes…

In order to leave with confidence, with reliable equipment, the first step consisted of dismantling, reassembling, welding and restoring piece by piece, the entire tired chassis of the 4L. A titanic task to be carried out in less than 6 months, but on the Channel coasts, there has never been a shortage of too much power!

On November 1, 2022, after many hours of work and a few sleepless nights for the brave lads, the chassis was in competition condition and the car took on its colors. Barely 20 days later the engine is in place and the systems connected. On November 26, the now frisky 4L passed the technical inspection on the first try, without a second inspection. The road is open to Marrakech!

Matias and Marin will have well deserved this unique twelve-day break to forget everything and let the horses loose on movie sets. AUTOhebdo wishes you good luck and above all lots of fun!

Technical inspection in hand. Good luck, mosses.