Bahrain Raid Xtreme tested to extremes ahead of Dakar Rally

TDT | Dubai

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX) has been undertaking a gruelling test program of the BRX T1 4x4 in the Dubai desert as the team and drivers undergo final preparations ahead of the Dakar Rally 2021.

The team wasted no time in putting their combined experience into practice, pushing the BRX vehicle to the limits in advance of taking on one of motorsport’s biggest challenges.

The testing period has been vital in preparing the car and team for the Dakar Rally in January; fine-tuning all areas of performance to ensure BRX arrives at the start line ready to compete.

The bespoke BRX vehicle – which will compete in the top-level T1 class – was tested to extremes across uncompromising desert conditions that included steep dunes, thick camel grass and barren, rocky terrain.

The Dakar Rally 2021 route features almost 5,000 kilometres of competitive driving across the 12 stages through Saudi Arabia.

“Dubai has given us the opportunity to test the car in Saudi Arabia in similar terrain to that we can expect at the Dakar," BRX Driver, Sebastien Loeb, said.

"I am happy with the car’s performance and balance, but having already competed in Dakar four times, we don’t underestimate the challenge the Dakar presents, especially to a new team and new car. We are looking forward to getting underway in just three weeks.”

BRX Driver Nani Roma said they have spent almost a month in Dubai testing the BRX T1 4x4, and each day they are pushing the limits further.

"As a team, we have done many kilometres and we are really excited about how the car is reacting to the dunes. The whole team has been working hard and we are all highly motivated. It has been great working with Sebastien, he is an experienced driver and we understand each other well.”

BRX’s bespoke Dakar Rally T1 car is a four-wheel-drive car, powered by a 3.5-litre turbo-charged petrol V6. The vehicle builds on Prodrive’s experience competing at the highest levels of world motorsport for over three decades. It has been styled by Ian Callum, one of the world’s leading automotive designers, and his team at CALLUM.