Teaming up with primary sponsor Toyota Imperial as the air-freight partner of the South Africa team for the 2015 Dakar Rally, South African Airways Cargo (SAA Cargo) earlier this month shipped the team’s three vehicles and spare parts to South America.
The thirty-seventh edition of the rally started in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on January 4, and would take place over a period of 14 days and 13 racing stages, ending back in Buenos Aires.
Some 450 cars, trucks, motorcycles and quad bikes would cover a total distance of some 9 500 km, of which 5 000 km were against the clock.
The South African team’s vehicle shipment, which weighed 7 941 kg, took about 16 hours to reach its destination.
“It takes a lot of planning to ensure that the shipment arrives safely at its final destination and this cannot be achieved without the hard work of the competent SAA Cargo team that works closely with the Toyota Imperial shipping agent to ensure that the entire process is carried out meticulously.
“We are quite happy with the partnership, as it not only demonstrates our commitment to promoting our country through sport but also promotes our cargo services during this global event,” commented SAA Cargo GM Tleli Makhetha.
Team South Africa was represented by Giniel de Villiers, Dirk von Zitzewitz, Leeroy Poulter and Rob Howie.
The second day of the so-called marathon stage saw De Villiers and German navigator Von Zitzewitz post the fourth-fastest time.
This placed them in second position overall after eight stages of the rally.
“SAA Cargo congratulates the Toyota Imperial South Africa team on their performance so far and wish them a great finish,” said Makhetha.