When the 4L Trophy becomes a family affair

Well, gone, gone… not quite! The departure from Haute-Marne will take place exactly on February 17 to join, initially, the gathering in Biarritztwo days later, where technical checks will take place. Until then there is still a lot to do, even if the Ragot family has been working on it for several months.

“The administrative part was relatively long, especially for us. In fact, the 4L Trophy is reserved for young people aged 18 to 28, but as I wanted to go with my mother, Sandrine, we had to request an exemption. And since then agreement, reached on 1^is October, I take steps to create an association (Les Rol'pettes en 4L), open a bank account… while soliciting partners and sponsors because the cost is relatively high”underlines Justine who however good hope to be able to quickly close the budget.

A humanitarian family expedition

Indeed, if it is substantial and if the biggest item obviously remains the vehiclewe must not lose sight of the fact that the 4L Trophy remains above all a humanitarian operation.

“We absolutely must collect and deposit in Biarritz ten kilos of non-perishable foodstuffs for the Red Cross and also fifty kilos of school or medical first aid supplies. They will be collected by the organizers who will then distribute them to the children of the desert.”specifies Justine. And she knows humanitarian work!

Working as a nurse at the Langres clinic and volunteer firefighter in Rolampont, she has already carried out a humanitarian mission for a month in Senegal last year.

Mom as co-pilot

At his side in the cabin, mother Sandrine will ensure navigation. Because if the crossing of Spain will be free until Algeciras, place of embarkation, it is in Morocco that the serious things will take place. Around 6,000 km, including five sporting stages in the roadbook, on tracks alternating sand, stones, wadis and dunes… all using the compass!

“For navigation, I have total confidence in my mother, with whom I get along very well, and what's more, being a coordinator at the Magna factory, she works with young people… that shouldn't change her “, adds Justine, smiling. Because there are going to be young people, in general the 4L Trophy has more than 1,200 vehicles !

4L prepared by dad

A trust which also rests on the third member of the family. Indeed, if the father, Judicaël, will remain in Rolampont in February, he will have been a key element of the adventure.

Indeed, passionate about mechanics, for several weeks he dismantles and reassembles, checks, replaces, refines the equipment…of the Renault 4L from 1982 which will bear the No. 1397. Even if, as Justine admits with humor, “He’ll still put a few spare coins in the trunk, just in case!”

But the Ragot family can be reassured, if there is one that already knows the adventure, or even the journey, it is the Renault 4L. Indeed, she will set off for the third time on the roads of this event become cult, because Justine acquired it from a couple from the Langres region who had already done the 4L Trophy at the beginning of 2024 and who themselves had bought it from previous participants!

While waiting for departure, it will however be possible to find the Ragot family at the Christmas market, on December 7 in Rolampont, but also on January 11, still in Rolampont, during a support evening. Two great opportunities to get acquainted with the friendly and dynamic crew… and with the gleaming apple green 4L.

Practical Les Rol'pettes in 4L – 06 66 95 74 54