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Ipswich rally pair ready to take on Sahara challenge

The thought of seeing in the New Year racing through the Sahara Desert would probably not appeal to most people.

But for Dick Partridge of Akenham and Keith Parker of Shotley, this is just how they are going to spend the first few weeks of 1997.
Dick and Keith are entering The Dakar 1997 Rally and are set to compete in one of the world’s toughest ‘off-road’ events.
It covers 15,000 km over some of the world’s most inhospitable terrain.  Formerly better known as the Paris-Dakar Rally, next year’s course starts and finishes in Dakar.
It is a motor sport challenge of the highest order, but Dick is philosophical about their chances: "To finish the event will be our goal.  That would be a tremendous result for us."
The vehicle they hope will see them through this challenge is an Isuzu Trooper.
Stripped and modified, the Trooper now has a roll cage and full harnesses, together with strong but light competition seats.  A long-range fuel tank, which will carry up to 55 gallons of petrol, is also placed in the car.
The Suffolk pair will have to cope with daytime temperatures of over 120 degrees Fahrenheit as they race up to 800km a day during the Rally and in the desert sand dunes fuel consumption can go down as low as 5mpg.
Dick is no stranger to the event.  He first entered it in 1988 and although he has yet to complete the course he is looking forward to the challenge again.
He certainly knows the value of partner Keith when it comes to the mechanical side of the race: "Keith is a good mechanic.  Our biggest fear is breaking down in the middle of the desert and Keith turns round and says he cannot fix it for whatever reason.  That would be the finish."
Indeed breakdown is an all too common occurrence on the Rally.  If the event runs true to form, only 25% of the original field will finish.  Of course, for the multi-car entries like Peugeot, with back-up fleets of lorries carrying spares and mechanics to follow the lead cars, a breakdown is just a minor inconvenience, but for Dick and Keith is could well prove fatal.
Safety is a prime concern in an event with such rugged terrain and all the entrants must stock up with three days supply of food and water, as well as medical supplies.  Checkpoints atthe end of the stages provide food and water and Dick quips: "As long as we reach the checkpoints we will not starve!"  Certainly one should admire the efforts of the two Suffolk men.  There are very few people from England who have entered the Dakar next year and Dick and Keith are flying the flag proudly.  Ipswich Witches skipper Chris Louis, who entered the Dakar with Dick in 1988 said: "When I competed on the Dakar with Dick in 1988, it opened my eyes to what a fantastic event it really is.  It is incredibly difficult and I wish the pair the very best."

Financially it has cost them both a tremendous amount of money, with entry fees alone costing over £12,000.  They have drummed up a fair amount of sponsorship, but could always do with more.

Anybody wishing to help them in their quest to complete the Rally can contact Dick on Ipswich 230149 or Keith on Ipswich 787680.

By Mike Bacon