Relocating the start location will make the event safer to avoid some of North Africa’s present political hazards, as well as the mine fields of disputed territories in Southern Morocco, where a competitor lost his life this year.
There are also changes to the technical regulations, aimed at reducing the part played by big-budget technology and reducing the performance of faster vehicles.
One great improvement to the event’s safety is the introduction of a new type of radio beacon. The beacons transmit information regarding the severity of the emergency, as before but will now also advise rescuers of the victim’s exact position, by relaying information from the global satellite navigation system.
The rally is renowned for its gruelling conditions and as well as facing the shifting winds of the Sahara Desert, competitors must cover endless miles of rock strewn, pot-holed roads, track and river beds.
This relentless regime continues for more than two weeks, the rally finishing on January 19, with the professional teams fighting for first place, with the privateers, like Dick and Keith, fighting for survival!
It will be long-awaited return to the event for both men. Dick has competed in four previous Dakars, while this will be Keith’s second run, having accompanied Dick on his last entry in 1991.
Many people wonder what makes them so determined to be part of the motoring mayhem of this event, Dick explains: “The difficulties of the event, forge a special bond between all those taking part, especially when the gruelling conditions provide more competition than our rivals. Where else can we test ourselves to the limit of our endurance?”
“Fortunately things are coming together well. It is nearly six years since I last had a go and I’m looking forward to it.
“We are both so keen to go out and give it our best shot.
“The rally has a real crash and burn image which may look good on television, but is no fun for us!
“To keep it in perspective, though, this is not really the case, but like all motor sport, the rally has it’s dangers.”
Competing in the Dakar is not cheap. The vehicle is now purchased and prepared, but there are still substantial fees and fuel costs, plus emergency and safety supplies to be paid for. The greatest bonus for the sole British Dakar duo would be spares and mechanical support. While sponsorship for the team has been the best ever this year, there is still, as yet, no cash left for this important item.
Dick admits: “The amount of sponsorship we have received has been great, but obviously we could always do with more”
“I often think that finding sponsorship money is harder than the event itself, so we try hard to give good value in order to keep the sponsors that we do have.”
As Dick and Keith head off for Senegal, they will be wary, yet excited, of what awaits them both. The Dakar is the ultimate test for both men and machines and there are few if any hiding places.