Dakar, one of the most challenging off-road rally events in the world, wrapped its tenth and final stage on January 17. During the grueling 12-day event in Peru, three FIA Dakar specification T1 Nissan Navara trucks – built by Nissan’s South Africa-based marketing partner Red-Lined Adventures – competed.
The three Red-Lined entries included German father-and-son duo Jurgen and Daniel Schröeder who competed under the PS Laser Racing banner (No. 329). Jurgen brought plenty of knowledge and experience to the table, as this year marked his ninth Dakar.
From Dubai, Thomas Edward Bell, team owner, and Patrick McMurren, Bell’s friend and navigator, competed under the Sabertooth Motoring Adventure banner (No. 419). Although this was their first Dakar, they came well prepared with a season’s training in the South African Cross-Country Series under their belts.
From South Africa, businessmen Shameer Variawa and Zaheer Bodhanya competed under the Shameer Variawa Racing (SVR) banner (No. 429). This was their first Dakar. Although they are an experienced cross-country team, they had limited experience with desert terrain prior to this year’s race.
The 2019 Dakar began with technical and administrative scrutineering for 541 competitors and 334 vehicles – 137 motorbikes, 26 quads, 130 cars and 41 trucks.
The 2019 Dakar began with technical and administrative scrutineering for 541 competitors and 334 vehicles – 137 motorbikes, 26 quads, 130 cars and 41 trucks.
All three teams started strong and successfully finished the first stage. After a clean run, debutants Bell and McMurren climbed from 112th to 81st overall. Veterans Schröeder and Schröeder also had a clean run, finishing at 71st. Variawa and Bodhanya started at 122nd and finished at 45th. However, a 20-minute penalty for a missed waypoint moved them back down to 101st for the start of the second stage.
Stage one’s route was in the Pisco region of Peru over a sand-packed, 84-km course characterized by a fine, powdery sand referred to as “fesh-fesh.”
“You have no idea what is underneath it,” said Marsh.
With some difficulty, all three cars finished marathon stages two through four. The extreme heat, sandy conditions and churned up route from earlier cars and trucks resulted in some distress for two of the teams. Conditions did not improve for stage five. Excessive fog led to a delayed start and a cancelled second racing section, leaving both Bell and Schröeder stranded overnight in the desert.
“It means not much of a rest day for them,” said Marsh. “I know that would be the last thing that they would be worried about. The technicians have taken the gap to recharge their batteries and are geared up for an all-nighter if that’s what’s required to get the race cars refreshed and prepared for week two.”
