Azzam El-Faruqi is a legend of Egyptian desert rally racing. Nearing 60 years of age, he has survived several serious crashes, one heart attack and heart-bypass surgery, yet he remains one of Egypt’s most successful and respected desert rally drivers. Since 1983, Azzam has built all his vehicles by hand, from scratch, with the help of Tahir – a guru mechanic - also in his 60’s.

For Azzam, participating in the Pharaoh’s Rally – Egypt’s biggest race and second internationally to the Paris-Dakar -  is a chance to stick two fingers up at the world of corporate racing. With sponsorship for Egyptian drivers virtually non-existent, Azzam races for the thrill and the challenge, and has consistently beaten drivers half his age and with ten times the funding.

Rally Team Egypt follows both Team Faruqi and the world’s number one factory team ZIL: Moscow  in the days of the Pharaoh’s Rally as they prepare for the gruelling 2000km, 7-day journey across the Sahara.

ZIL: Moscow is everything that Team Faruqi is not. A slick, finely-tuned machine with world-champion drivers and serious financial  investments, they are desperate for good results and are constantly eyeing their world ranking.  Their gearbox alone probably costs more than Azzam’s entire team.

Rally Team Egypt is a classic David and Goliath story, pitting the local underdog against the giants of professional racing. It is an intriguing look at the eccentric and often hidden side of rally driving, revealing the passion of a man who is a respected minor celebrity in Egypt, but entirely unknown to the racing world outside.

Against the cruel and beautiful scenery of the Sahara, Rally Team Egypt asks what drives Azzam to continue racing despite the obstacles, both personal and financial, that he must constantly face.