The Sahara Desert, 6,000 km, 12 days, two people, one compass and a Renault 4L
08/31/2023
Honoring Albin
In May 2022, JELD-WEN Eauze, France, Plant Manager Albin Dorisy told his colleagues that his daughter Eva had set her sights on the 2023 4L Trophy – a 6,000 km (about 3,728 miles), 12-day journey across the Sahara Desert. Started in 1997, the 4L Trophy is an extreme road race from France to Morocco in a Renault 4L. The event is exclusively for 18- to 28-year-olds who are equipped with little more than a compass and a road atlas.
To participate, Eva and her teammate Margaux needed sponsors to help with the costs: registration fees, the Renault, spare parts and gas, but also donations to the humanitarian cause the race benefited, Enfants du désert - an organization dedicated to providing access to education for the children in the Moroccan desert.
Of course, it was no surprise to Albin that JELD-WEN France signed on as the first official sponsor and donated 1,000 euros to “Les Marva,” Eva and Margaux’s official team name (a combination of their names).
With the race set for February 2023, Les Marva had its first sponsor and plenty of time to raise the remaining funds needed to fulfill their mission.
Sadly, however, in September 2022, Eva and her family were stunned when Albin suddenly passed away. Eva’s love of cars came from her dad, and without him, she questioned her motivation to compete in the Trophy race. She was also daunted by the work still needed to get there - and that’s when Albin’s JELD-WEN family stepped in.
The JELD-WEN France team was also grieving their sudden loss. Albin was a 30-year veteran of the company, a respected colleague and a good friend. The team knew Albin supported Eva’s dream to compete in the Trophy, so they were determined to honor Albin’s memory and get Eva to the starting line. Associates across France raised an additional 3,750 euros to send Les Marva to the 4L Trophy – and were now official sponsors along with their employer JELD-WEN on the hood of the 4L.
Commenting on the race, Eva told La République des Pyrénées in February 2023, "It's a common project that I had with him. He was my first fan, my first support; he pushed me to participate. I found my teammate and now I'm doing it for him; it's a kind of tribute."
As Les Marva (Eva and Margaux) drove thousands of kilometers, not only did they find camaraderie with the other participants, but they carried a special flag signed by every JELD-WEN associate who had contributed to their cause. The flag reminded Eva and Margaux that they were supported by the JELD-WEN family throughout their journey.
Twelve days after they began, Les Marva planted a JELD-WEN flag signed by all the associates who had helped to get Les Marva across the finish line. Why a flag? The team said, “For Albin,” - it is a permanent reminder of the beloved dad and colleague.