The real way to see the Sahara
Beginning on Wednesday November 1, a Gstaad Automobile Club team will be racing in the 1st Transafricaine Rally from Paris to Dakar. Driving for GAC will be Stanislas de Sadeleer and Hansueli Brand, who many of you may know from the Ledi Land Rover dealership in Feutersoey. The race will see the intrepid duo wind their way through France and Spain, transporting their Land Rover by ferry to Tangier Morocco, before setting off into the wilds of the Sahara desert for their scheduled arrival in Dakar Senegal on November 19. De Sadeleer is no stranger to the desert, having completed the modern Dakar Rally in a Toyota in 2002, and Brand is an accomplished rally driver having won numerous competitions around Europe. But this race will be different...
Left: Stanislas de Sadeleer (left) and Hansueli Brand. Watch the video below for a taste of what they can expect. The 10-minute film follows 1982 Paris-Dakar race winners through the African sections, and clearly shows that de Sadeleer and Brand will be embarking on an exciting but dangerous expedition.
Firstly, they will be driving a 1994 Land Rover Discovery 1 (which will be unveiled on Saturday in the Promenade at 15h00). Specially modified, yes, but not the kind of space machines you see tearing over the dunes for the modern Paris-Dakar. When they get stuck in the sand they'll be letting the tires down manually and digging their way out of trouble. It will be hot, intense, and asides from the notorious pressure of navigation in the desert, they will have the added challenge of sticking to the time intervals stipulated by race organizers.
The whole thing is the brainchild of Patrick Zaniroli, winner of the modern Dakar Rally in 1985 and sporting director of the modern race from 1994 to 2005. He is known for his hardcore course mapping and love of a challenge, and while his website promotes the virtues of experiencing the beauty of Africa, the 9,200 km course he has laid out for the competitiors will be no walk in the park.
Check out the video above for a taste of what our GAC drivers can expect. The 10-minute film follows 1984 Paris-Dakar race winners through the African sections, and clearly shows that de Sadeleer and Brand will be embarking on an exciting but dangerous expedition.
And beginning next Wednesday November 1, you can follow the race online right here at GstaadLife.com. The site will be updated daily with exclusive photos, video, and live race data. Plus de Sadeleer and Brand will be in contact with GstaadLife.com throughout the race by satellite phone and we'll bring you their daily commentary right here.
Bookmark www.gstaadlife.com in your Favorites!
Ce petit mot à la veille de notre départ pour remercier vivement tous nos "sponsors". Merci également à mon ami et co-pilote Hansueli Brand avec qui je vais partager cette merveilleuse aventure et qui a travaillé jour et nuit avec tous ses collaborateurs pour nous préparer cette magnifique " Land"
Posted by: Stanislas de Sadeleer | Monday, 30 October 2006 at 22:39
Merci aussi à toi Xavier pour ton site Gstaadlife.com
Le Saanenland et le Pays d'Enhaut sont ma 2ième patrie...
Que l'Aventure soit " Belle" et je me réjouis déjà de tous vous revoir autour d'un bon vin blanc et une bonne tranche de "Höbelkäse".
Posted by: Stanislas de Sadeleer | Monday, 30 October 2006 at 22:45