Press machine playing catchup.....
First up a word of thanks:
Many thanks go to Mike Smith from HP, who, when the Team Saluki laptop decided to go the same way as the gearbox and stop working, he responded with amazing support.
From the Moreeb Hill campsite – a call was made to Mike’s mobile to see if he could assist us continue our communication with the external world. Not knowing his location – we were amazed to see him walk into the Saluki campsite within 10 minutes with a spare laptop which we could use. The last few days communications would not have been possible without the assistance of Mike and HP.
200Km from the nearest town on Sunday night at 9pm and the laptop is there in 10 minutes. An amazing response.
Huge thanks go out to Mike (and HP) for their assistance to Team Saluki.
And the final days report:
Monday 14th November 2005
Starting the day in 15th place, the charge is on for a long run from the Liwa campsite back to the finish at Dubai. The Saluki is built for running fast – and this is where the vehicle can show off its power.
The majority of the support crew clear the campsite and head up towards the Service area. The Saluki is flying and is straight through the service area whilst the service crew are still 30Km from reaching it. The service crew about turn and head towards the finish.
The long straight runs have the engine in the Saluki running right on the limit of the power band – which of course means that fuel consumption to the engine increases. Miles per gallon in the Saluki is not exactly great but running like this for extended periods of time soon drains the tanks and finds the guys switching between fuel pumps to get the last drops of fuel out of the tanks - with minor assistance from the marshals the Saluki is soon approaching the finish line.
It’s managed to complete the rally and make it all the way to the end. The Saluki crossed the finishing line after starting in 15th, it crossed the line in 8th place for that stage. Tim immediately looks for assistance with some petrol burns he’s received on his leg which is swiftly cooled by the waiting crew of Saluki supporters.
Overall this puts Team Saluki in 15th place at the end of the rally. The team are happy to have finished and crossed the line - when along the way other vehicles and teams have dropped out and failed to reach the finish. The challenge wouldn’t be a challenge if it was easy – Team Saluki yet again have taken part and more importantly completed the event and got to the finish line under their own power.
The challenge is was a massive effort – as it always is, keeping Team Saluki running. As an example of the involvement required - the support personnel have driven approximately 12,000Km in the last five days in support of the Saluki.
Thankfully, the vehicle and support teams are now having a well earned break – until the next time that the Saluki is released from the Kennel to hunt down some more prey.
Thanks for sticking with us throughout the whole event, we hope you enjoyed following the Team through the Challenge and we hope you will check in at the site to keep up to date with future developments.
Regards,
Keith Hopgood on behalf of:
Team Saluki
Saluki - bred for speed and endurance in the desert
www.teamsaluki.com
