Team Rhide SA will use tough Dakar Rally to promote the plight of our rhinos
The Dakar Rally is the largest motorsport spectacle in the world, with over 4 million live spectators in South America and is televised to 190 countries with a viewership of one billion people
Team Rhide SA’s two seasoned athletes, Brian Baragwanath and Hannes Saaijman, will finalise preparations for the 2015 Dakar Rally during the festive season.
The two quad riders will depart for the world’s toughest challenge in Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 27. Their aim is to raise international awareness for the plight of the rhino.
The 2015 Dakar Rally starts on January 4 and the route spans over three countries, Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.
The territories require skilful driving and navigation, as well as careful management of mechanical aspects.
With long special stages and several marathon stages, the competitors will constantly be required to tackle extreme endurance conditions, tough terrains and high altitudes.
“We have spent months preparing for the Dakar and are aiming at podium results,” said Baragwanath. “We are grateful for the support from our sponsors and supporters.”
Team Rhide SA has participated in various off-road rallies in 2014, including the Roof of Africa, Amageza Rally and Dakar Challenge desert race, to prepare for the Dakar Rally, the world’s most challenging off-road event.
According to statistics released by the Department of Environmental Affairs on November 20, a total of 1 020 rhino have been killed for their horns since January 1, 2014.
“Team Rhide SA will take on the two week long, 9 000km rally to raise international awareness for the plight of the rhino,” said Saaijman.
The Dakar is the largest motor sport spectacle in the world, with over 4 million live spectators in South America and is televised to 190 countries with a viewership of one billion people.
Only the toughest competitors are expected to cross the finish line in the Argentine capital.
Team Rhide SA will put their Yamaha Raptor 700 quads, sponsored by Yamaha South Africa, through the ultimate performance test at the 2015 Dakar Rally. The team’s service crew will be faced with highly challenging tasks during the rally and require a tough and reliable service vehicle. Fortunately an Isuzu NPS300 4×4 service truck was sponsored by Imperial GM Isando.
“You are only as good as your team. That is why we have carefully selected each member of the Team Rhide SA crew,” said Baragwanath.
The crew members include Clive Baragwanath (team manager), Jack Nyandu and Philipie Baard (team mechanics) and Frank Stein (team driver). The team’s container with their quads and service truck left on November 22 and was scheduled to reach Buenos Aires on December 10.
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