Cross-Country Rally
UAE Desert Challenge: Team Saluki stage three report
Team Saluki - Abu Dhabi DC2009 - Day 3 - The dog stretches its legs. It's been a hot day here in the Empty Quarter with temperatures outside reaching 41oC, and as far as the race is concerned we've had transmission failures, suspension ...
Published: Jun 19, 2009, 7:48 PM
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Team Saluki - Abu Dhabi DC2009 - Day 3 - The dog stretches its legs.
It's been a hot day here in the Empty Quarter with temperatures outside reaching 41oC, and as far as the race is concerned we've had transmission failures, suspension failures, vehicle fires and another failure to finish the stage. You'll be glad to know that none of these involved the Castrol EDGE Buggy.
The Saluki left the camp this morning wanting to stretch its legs after being laid up after clutch problems, the mechanics having worked their magic and fixed the issue yesterday evening.
In the morning the rest of the team members split up as always to ensure that the Saluki passes the control points and everyones kept informed of it's progress. Some of them established themselves at Passage Control (PC) One and settled in for the long wait given that the Saluki had began the day in 18th place.
They were amazed when they saw the Saluki racing up to the check point in 5th place.
Glen and Paul had managed to overtake 13 cars in the first 167Km of the race, an outstanding return to the race. Checks on the tracking system reveal that the Saluki had made it to PC2 and the Service point in 1st place - making it the fastest car on the route to that point.
Arriving at the service area - drinks were ready for all of them - water for the drivers and fuel for the Saluki, a minor top up of the gearbox oil (thanks Rick for getting your hands into an area that was adjacent to a very hot exhaust system in a very hot car).
The rest of the day seemed to be more of the same - the Saluki hunting down it's prey and showing it's return to full health in cracking style.
By the time the Castrol EDGE buggy had made it's way back to the finish line, the car is placed a provisional third place for the day (as always at time of writing).
The guys debriefed the mechanics on issues that they'd experienced during the day - minor things like small bodywork problems and a couple of warning lights for high temperature had cropped up during the day. Given that the vehicle was operating in 40oC heat, the drivers reported it cooler inside than it was earlier in the week. Diagnostics on the engine management system has reported the following maximum temperatures for those with a technical mind. Water 104oC, Air intake 59oC, Gearbox oil 120oC and Engine oil 120oC.
Tomorrows stage sees the race head to the East of our camp.
Don't forget that you can follow our progress at the following site Choose ETAPE 4 for tomorrows race.
We're looking forward to tomorrow. If this progress continues we may have to get that ice-cream maker installed for the guys as a treat.
Regards Team Saluki
-credit: ts
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