The second phase of the challenge took place today – Scrutineering. The Saluki has been prepared like never before and headed off to Ibn Battuta shopping mall for it’s high noon appointment with the scrutineers. The scrutineers would go over every inch of the Saluki making sure that safety equipment was correct and up to date, seals were in place, documentation on the vehicle (chassis numbers etc) were all correct in all – ensuring that it complied with the FIA regulations for the car to enter the rally.
The mall is an impressive building but it became even more impressive when the Saluki drove through one of the stores to get to the scrutineering point. The sound of a rumbling V8 engine waiting to be unleashed certainly gave the shoppers something to drool over. Unfortunately there was no time for even window shopping – the Saluki had an appointment that it had to pass.
We’re glad to say that the Saluki passed scrutineering with flying colours and we are now on the official starting list. The spare parts have been inventoried and the service crews are getting their vehicles ready to travel to the Liwa camp after the stage tomorrow. The only thing that bothers the team is a squeaking clutch pedal which is unlikely to be heard above the noise of the engine whilst racing.
The media campaign is paying off – this month’s issue of Car Magazine includes a full two page spread on Team Saluki and the team also make a single page appearance in the Dubai edition of Time Out.
The next phase of the Challenge is the Prologue stage which takes place tomorrow at 4pm near today’s venue of the Ibn Battuta mall. The team are looking forward to getting on with what they do best – dune racing – the challenge begins in earnest tomorrow.
Regards
Team Saluki
www.teamsaluki.com
A quick note to thank one of our sponsors.
Angliss QBB have done a sterling job in supplying meat and sustenance to Team Saluki for use at their camp at Liwa. The meat supplied will ensure that the whole team keep up with the demanding work schedule during the Desert Challenge and we’re glad to have them on board as one of our sponsors. Many thanks to Graham Evans at Angliss QBB who sell and market food products in the Middle East region for their provisions and also for his support of Team Saluki.
