Calling all MENA & African Teams: Need advice on Visas, Shipping, and Camping Logistics for a 1st Year Physical Car (advices from anyone is welcomed)
Hi everyone!
We are a Moroccan engineering school team preparing to build our first physical Formula Student car. While we are working hard on the engineering side, we know that international logistics will be our biggest hurdle.
We are specifically reaching out to past or current teams from the Arab world and Africa. For example, we've seen incredible achievements from teams like the Cairo University Racing Team in Egypt. We have also noticed strong participation from Middle Eastern teams like HTU Racing in Jordan. We know you have faced the exact same regional challenges we are dealing with now!
We would love to get an overall view of your project execution, specifically regarding the following:
- Shipping & Customs: How did you transport your physical car to Europe? Did you use sea freight, ferry crossings (e.g., from North Africa to Spain), or air freight? How did you handle the ATA Carnet and customs delays at the border?
- Schengen Visas: What was your experience securing short-stay visas for a large student team? Did the official competition invitation letter guarantee approval, or did you face unexpected administrative rejections?
- Living Conditions & Camping: What were the conditions like where you lived during the competition? If you camped on-site, how did you manage equipment, food, and extreme weather while keeping the team energized for the dynamic events?
- The Overall Experience: Looking back at your first year building a physical car and traveling internationally, what is one major logistical or operational mistake you wish you had avoided?
Any advice, DMs, or connections to faculty advisors and team captains in the MENA/Africa region would be incredibly helpful.
Thank you and good luck to everyone this season!