It’s green, it’s mean and it’s ready to rumble.Team Saluki rise to the ChallengeTeam Saluki are set to maintain their lead as both the No.1 rally team in the Gulf and also the highest placed non-works team in the forthcoming U.A.E. 2005 Desert Challenge.
Driving their heavily modified 110 Landrover, Team Saluki are hopeful of rising to the challenge of seeing off their world class competitors in a repeat of last years Desert Challenge. Team Saluki came in a highly commendable 4th place in the T2 Category, ahead of many of the specialised works teams. This finishing position placed them as the number one rally team in the Gulf.
Named after the legendary Arabian hunting dog, Team Saluki will this year be aiming to stay ahead of the pack and maintain their dominance in the Gulf.
To assist in this challenge, Team Saluki will be running a specialist 4.8Litre V8 engine that produces 325 BHP. A very strong International following not only provides support but this year 8 crew members are coming from Europe to ensure that Team Saluki maintain their lead.
Speaking on behalf of Team Saluki, Driver - Mark Powell said â€ÂThe pressure to do well in 2005 is that much greater after our performance last year, but we have made several improvements to the car’s transmission and cooling system and with these in place we’re confident of improving on that fourth place. Of course we are racing against professional works teams from around the world so competition is intense, but we have the advantage of local knowledge of the conditions, which gives us a big advantage in the most challenging dunes.
Our new sponsor Mountain Dew have been backing successful NASCAR teams in the U.S.A. for many years now, and we aim to show them that Team Saluki means business too. Years ago we were happy enough just to finish the Desert Challenge, but in 2002 and again in 2004 we made the professionals sit up and take notice of us. A podium finish has always eluded Team Saluki until now, but we’ll never stop aiming for one.â€Â
More information on Team Saluki can be found on their website
www.teamsaluki.com or email Team Saluki at team@teamsaluki.com
Mark Powell (L) and Tim Ansell (R) stand poised once again to take on the world champions in the UAE Desert Challenge in November
Team Saluki powering around a corner in the recent Um Al Quwain rally held in the UAE.
