Dakar : News from ScrutineeringThe second day of technical scrutineering and administrative checks is starting at the Cultural Center in Belem and it will certainly be a busy one. Only about 10 vehicles that were not able to get to Lisbon on time yesterday delayed their
round of checks by a day.
In the morning the highlight will be around 10:00 AM with the arrival on site of the Mitsubishi armada with title and record holder of the Dakar, Stéphane Peterhansel, Luc Alphand, Hiroshi Masuoka as well as Joan « Nani » Roma. In the bikes category, the heavyweights of the race will show up in the afternoon: Cyril Despres, Marc Coma and David Casteu, amongst others.
Pilots are Installing Iritrack
Scrutineering is also the time to check all the safety devices on board vehicles and to install the Iritrack box in the process. For the third year running, the system is available on board all vehicles enrolled in the rally.
Thanks to its real time data transmission via satellite the system is an information and safety tool. The organizers can locate competitors at all times and get information on speed or on the tilt of the bikes to send a rescue team in case of an accident. Moreover, speeding is automatically detected. It's impossible to escape this slightly special radar system.
100% Scottish
Hard not to spot them in the maze of administrative checkpoints. Biker jackets, biker boots but sporting their kilts, Iain Shankie and John Whiteford are proud to wear the traditional outfit of their native Scotland; they are impressed by the size of the event.
"It's huge. It's the ultimate challenge. It's agonizing", says Shankie time and time again.
He will be one of the 5 members of a 100% Scottish team together with Whiteford, McKenzie, and brothers Neil and Ewan Buchan.
The project was launched by a 60 year-old highlander called Robbie Allan who had tried his luck last year on the Dakar but had to quit just before the rest day. "He is our inspiration. He brings us together, he encouraged us, insists Whiteford. No Scot has ever reached Dakar. With a little bit of luck we might have a way of writing a new page of history." To this end, however, they will have to trade their kilts for trousers that better match the tough desert lying ahead.
Press Release A.S.O.
