Second-hand glasses and fresh sight, Oasis Raid rally sets off from Estepona to Morocco with a mission

Heading south from Estepona on Thursday, October 1, the Oasis Raid charity rally sets off on its second Moroccan route of 2026 with a new mission in sight.

Fifty cars gather on Thursday morning

Get ready for the roar of engines as vehicles arrive to Estepona’s exhibition and conference centre, ready for a serious mission ahead. At 9am crews are presented and cars go through technical checks before the official start follows at midday, with the convoy then heading to Algeciras, before continuing to Africa.

Around 50 small-engined vehicles are entered in this 16th edition, which is the tenth to leave from Estepona. Motor Adventure S.L. runs the event, with Estepona’s town hall collaborating on the opening day.

A rally without a stopwatch

Nothing about this drive is timed. Oasis Raid combines navigation, motoring, adventure and solidarity, and each team picks its own pace. The goal is to follow the right route and pass every checkpoint. According to the organisers, you do not need to be a mechanic or a professional driver to take part.

Over nine days, crews follow a route designed specially for this edition. Sand-driving challenges test their skills behind the wheel, and the terrain puts each vehicle’s mechanics and endurance to the test.

Glasses given a second life

Charity is the main reason for the rally, and this years the campaign is called ‘MILyDOSgafas’. meaning “one thousand and two glasses”. Organisers are running it with gafadeportiva.com, and it involves carrying reused prescription glasses and sunglasses for people living in the areas the route crosses.

A specialist optometry team travels with the convoy. It will carry out eye tests in the communities visited, work out which pair suits each person best and hand them over during the journey. Organisers say the aim is to improve quality of life for people with limited resources.

For more information on the Oasis Raid, visit their website to check out the fantastic charity work they do.