Imagine driving 20,000 miles round the world in 80 days, through scorching deserts, 12,000-ft mountain passes and frozen wastes.

Now imagine driving it in an open-top Bentley - or a 35-year-old Mini Cooper.

In a bizarre mix of Cannonball Run and Phileas Fogg, that is what almost 100 classic-car enthusiasts will be doing - and Bradford GP Dr Matt Smith will be among them.

"It's pretty onerous," said Dr Smith. "Eight thousand miles are on non-tarmac roads and most of the cars are from the 1920s and have virtually no suspension. They're relatively primitive machines and will take a hell of a pounding."

Compared to the majority of participants, the 35-year-old Clayton doctor will be driving in luxury. He is part of a medical-support team who will accompany drivers in the comfort of 4x4 jeep.

"We'll be up at 5am to help as mechanics and at 8pm we'll have an evening surgery to get to bed before 10pm," he said. "You're often days away from any medical help. You could be stranded in the Chinese desert and just breaking a bone in that situation could be life-threatening. You have to get people airlifted out." Dr Smith is also hoping to raise £15,000 through sponsorship for a state-of-the-art arterial blood-gas machine for Bradford Royal Infirmary's accident and emergency department.

It would allow doctors to measure oxygen and salts in the blood of 8,000 unconscious and critically ill patients in Bradford each year.

The rally is organised by the Classic Rally Association of Great Britain and includes drivers from multi-millionaires to royalty.

Crown Prince Idris Shah of Selangor, Malaysia, will be taking part, as well as James Bond stuntman Tom Harris.

Previous rallies have taken drivers from Beijing to Paris - where two Germans were killed in a road accident - and London to Cape Town.

Dr Smith is aware of the dangers. He has just rebuilt a 1965 Mini Cooper S after plunging 150ft off the road in the Monte Carlo rally - and landing in trees.

He and his father, who inspired his passion for classic cars and who owns a 1965 Triumph TR4a, walked away with just cuts and bruises.

Dr Smith said: "I've always had a passion for cars. I'm usually co-driver with Dad and we've rallied together in Spain, Morocco, France and the UK. We've done the Monte Carlo five times."

If you want to sponsor Dr Smith's appeal, contact consultant Peter Bradley on (01274) 364457 or send a cheque payable to The Accident and Emergency Trust Fund, care of Mr P Bradley, Bradford A&E department, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, BD9 6RJ.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.