Team Saluki Desert Challenge 2006

[TeamSaluki]

It's that time of the year when the dog is let loose from its kennel to
locate and hunt down the prey as it takes part in the U.A.E. Desert
Challenge

The preparations have taken almost a year but the last couple of days
have seen it all coming together for Team Saluki. The European support
team have flown in and have been making sure the car is running at it's
optimum and the local support teams have been pulling together all the
resources required to ensure that all will run smoothly for Team Saluki
during the challenge.

An update of what we've been upto. You would have had it sooner but a
certain airline delayed some essential baggage for over two days.

Yesterday, Team Saluki had to sign-on as an official entry to the Desert
Challenge event. This requirement ensures that both the driver and
navigator are qualified to take part in the event. As expected, no
problems were experienced and the guys are good to go.

Mark & Tim signing on at Rally control.


With the documentation all in order, it gave the team an opportunity to
take the Saluki out for a last shakedown. The shake down did exactly
what it was supposed to do - identify any potential problems with the
car that are not evident when the car is stationary. It was a
worthwhile excercise as it identified a small electrical fault with the
ignition circuit which was quickly recitified by the support team
allowing the Saluki to continue with the shakedown.

The Saluki during the shakedown.


With the drivers having been cleared to drive, it was the Saluki's turn
to be checked over to see it meets all the current FIA regulations. The
scrutineering was held at the same location as last year - in the middle
of the Ibn Battuta shopping Mall. The Saluki's an impressive site when
it drives through the entrance to the mall, through one of the shops and
then stops to be checked over.


The Saluki drives through the mall.


The Saluki passes the scrutineering with flying colours and is eligible
to take part in the challenge.

This evening the support teams are packing up and getting ready to hit
the road for the prologue tomorrow where the starting positions will be
sorted out between competitors.

The pressures building and the Saluki is straining on it's leash to be
let loose.


Regards
*Team Saluki*

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[TeamSaluki]

Nearly 100 views overnight, thanks for taking the time to read about the Team.

Todays news:

Although relatively flat, the Prologue was a deeply rutted course where both bikes and vehicles were struggling to maintain their lines through the sand. This initial stage took it's toll on several of the vehicles causing breakdowns on the track. The Saluki took the necessary action on the tight and twisty track and avoided a broken down competitor blocking their path.

They say the challenge is hard, if the prologue is anything to go by we're in for some serious fun over the next couple of days.

Saluki doing it's thing.The Saluki stretching its legs


Some of the local support team travelled down to the bivouac at Moreeb Hill yesterday to setup camp for the arrival of the rest of the team later on today.

Earlier this morning, the team members who remained in Dubai travelled down to Abu Dhabi for the ceremonial start at the Emirate Palace Hotel.

The Saluki time from the prologue gave them a starting place of 28th out of 42 vehicles for first day of the event.

Regards
Team Saluki
www.teamsaluki.com

[djhspawn]

Good Luck Gentlemen!

[TROPHYSEDAN]

Best of luck over there.

[El Ranas]

Good luck!!

[scary fast hummer]

Good luck, In'shallah, you'll win! I hope to compete with you down there some year soon. If you ever see a big black H1 in your mirror ready to gobble you up, that will be me, mafe' mushkele...

Cheers!

[TeamSaluki]

Thanks guys!

Hummer versus Land Rover? No problem. Hope to see you soon.

Monday 6th - Day one - We're out of the trap and we're running

Day one of the event, the Saluki crosses the ceremonial start line at the Emirates Palace Hotel and was waved off by Mohammed Ben Sulayem to begin the 284.45Km first stage.

And they're under starters orders


At the official start, the Saluki is placed at 28th out of 42 vehicles. The first section takes its toll on one of the riders and results in him retiring from the race. The Saluki however is stretching it's legs and by the time it reaches PC1 it's climbed upto 22nd place taking back six places.

By the time they reach the service area the Saluki has continued their gain and are now upto 18th place. Choosing not to stop at the service area they passed through even though a misfire was evident on the engine as they passed the service area. Something for the service crew to work on this evening along side all the normal routine maintenance.

Arriving at the finish check point approximately one hour later they had increased their placing to 15th with a time of 3H 28M 44S.

Day one done and dusted


The Saluki team have moved into the bivouac at Morheeb Hill and setup camp. It's here that the teamwork and spirit of Team Saluki come together. Preparations are underway for the 304.50Km stage tomorrow.

Regards,
Team Saluki.

www.teamsaluki.com

[TeamSaluki]

With direct news from the team a little sketchy, Ive taken the following directly from the Team website.


Tuesday 7th - Day two - The guide dog's ill

The Saluki started off the day a place ahead of yesterdays finishing place due to a fellow competitor having transmission problems on the start line.

72Km into the first 90Km section the call came in that the team fear to receive. The Dog's not well, the Dog itself is fine it's the guide-dog Tim that's ill. He's suffering from de-hydration.

The team make the sensible decision to request assistance using the emergency system installed in the vehicle. A medi-vac helicopter is soon on it's way directly to their exact location to airlift Tim to the local Moreeb hospital.

Tim had been following all the guidelines for hydration and had even been attending the hydration clinic to provide blood tests to check for symptoms of de-hydration.

Tim, before getting airlifted out would like to apologise to everyone for what he feels is letting the team down. The team however feel that the lows as well as the highs are all part of the challenge.

Mark completed the last 18Km to PC1 on his own and from there returned to the bivouac and finishing the day there.

Saluki are up for the challenge again tomorrow - Tim has just returned from the Doctors and he's got a race worthy certificate for tomorrow.

Regards,
Team Saluki

www.teamsaluki.com

[El Ranas]

Good job today!! and good luck tomorrow, that kind of rallyes are very difficult

[BajaTaco]

Great photos and updates.

Wow - looks like the news for today (taken from the Saluki website) is that the team had to start in 30th place (!) due to penalties incurred from the problems yesterday. Despite this, the Saluki has blasted all the way up to finish 12th place for the day!

Awesome job guys!



(hope you don't mind me hot-linking to the cool pic for the update from your site)