Five rugby-loving fans fired up their car engines this week as they set off on a bizarre charity roadtrip to Rome.
The Bottom Gear challenge is the brainchild of Southfleet businessman Stuart Harlow and pal Roy Strickland, from Meopham.
Together with three pals, the men set off in convoy from Bluewater on Tuesday to drive 1,200 miles to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
They hope to reach their final destination in time for the Rugby Football Union Six Nations match between Italy and England on Saturday, raising £10,000 for the Variety Club - and many laughs - on the way.
“In this time of doom and gloom we just wanted to do something fun and positive that will make people smile,” said Stuart, who lives in Gloxinia Road.
“We always travel to the Six Nations but this year wanted to do something worthwhile. We thought about what the guys on Top Gear would do and came up with Bottom Gear.”
Preparations for the road trip have included a budget of just £1,000 to purchase two vehicles - an N-reg Ford and an R-reg Vauxhall - and provide all the fuel for the journey through France, Germany and Switzerland.
“There’s bound to be plenty of breakdowns on the way,” added Stuart, 48. Our other halves are all quite worried and it’s quite funny considering I run a health and safety business!”
There was even a slight hiccup five days before departure when they realised they had entered the wrong co-ordinates into their Sat-Nav for the stadium in Rome.
More than £3,000 had been raised before the Bottom Gear team left Bluewater. They plan to drive back to England and either re-sell the cars, with all monies going to the Variety Club, or use them for future challenges.
The Bottom Gear challengers have personally funded their trip and will be providing regular updates as to their progress on Facebook and Twitter.
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/roadtorome.