TWO friends are to embark on the adventure of a lifetime by driving 1,500 miles across Europe in just four days.

Charlie Evans, 40, of Mold and 42-year-old Stuart Wilkinson from Northop Hall are taking a journey into the unknown by competing in the CzechWrecks banger rally in aid of a children’s hospice.

Charlie spoke to the Leader from the road while aviation worker Stuart was at the wheel and said the idea came after he decided to do something special to celebrate his 40th birthday.

He said: “We are feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. I wanted to do something special to remember the year. It is an adventure into the unknown, we just do not know if we are going to get there or not.”

Travelling in their Vauxhall Astra – done up with a paint job to emulate Starsky and Hutch’s Gran Torino – they set off from Calais this morning in the direction of Switzerland.

The pair are due to finish in Prague on bank holiday Monday.

Charlie, a farmer, said: “We bought the car from a friend who was scrapping it for £120. We’ve done a couple of little jobs on it but other than that she’s ready to go.

“The new car he bought has since broken down, but this one is still going!

“We are going to pass the hours by listening to CDs. We have a stack to listen to and we will have plenty to talk about.

“I think there is a good social scene in the evenings. We will split the driving but it depends on who had the most to drink the night before.”

There are also challenges to complete during the rally and the team with the most points will scoop a £1,000 prize.

And the pair are expecting a warm welcome when they reach Prague with locals planning a special reception.

Charlie said: “I have heard everybody treats it as an occasion and throws tomatoes when you arrive. We will sell the car in Prague and fly home. Apparently they are queuing up to buy the cars.

“Our families think it is great. Everybody we have spoken to thinks it is a good idea.”

More than £1,000 has been raised for Hope House in Oswestry and you can donate at www.justgiving.com/czechwreckcharlie.