Rally driver and motoring journalist Samantha Stevens (left) and sustainable designer and journalist Sally Dominguez have taken delivery of their new Volkswagen Amarok 4x4, resplendent with Aussie flag, and are currently in training for the eight-day marathon event that begins on March 17.
In 2012, this international desert rally sees 301 women from around the globe; its largest field to date.
There is no "marked route " on the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles in Morocco: based on old-style navigation, the Rallye leads the girls to places in the middle of nowhere, but it is up to them to choose their way to join the check-points together and complete each leg - using only a compass an a map.
At dawn, the competitors receive the geographical coordinates of the check-points that make up the day's stage, then the pilot and copilot choose whether or not to go around or go over the mountains, sink into the dunes or avoid them. The team with the shortest total distance over the eight days is the winner.
As newbies to the rally, Samantha and Sally have their eyes on the prize for Gazelles in their first year of competition.
“It’s a scary but exciting concept” says Sally Dominguez. “A unique opportunity to try land navigation in one of the toughest environments - with an all-French crew. Our French is bad but our will is strong and our driving is enthusiastic! In fact our trainer, a Dakar veteran, has advised us us to slow down!”
Samantha Stevens adds: “it’s a massive task, daunting but thrilling. The opportunity to take a production car through the deserts of Morocco in a competition is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and one we are grasping with both hands. We hope to wave the Australian flag proudly at the finish in Erfoud on March 31.”
The Australians’ progress can be followed on a live stream at http://www.rallyeaichadesgazelles.com
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