Barbier braving the Dakar
Benoni businessman, resident and quad rider Ted Barbier is fulfilling a dream by participating in the gruelling Dakar Rally in South America on his YFZ 700R Yamaha.
Barbier, who owns Achievers Cooling Towers, a company specialising in the servicing/refurbishment of cooling towers, based in Fairleads, is part of Team Rhide SA, a team riding to raise awareness of the ongoing rhino poaching crisis in the country
The team consists of Brian Baragwanath, George Twigge, Wessel Bosman (who rode under the Lesotho flag) and Barbier.
Baragwanath is the ambassador for Rhino SA and “The Green Wall of Africa” and is also the owner of BB Motorsport, based in Pretoria.
Team Rhide SA was born about three years ago, as a result of Barbier’s lifelong dream of completing the Dakar.
He approached Baragwanath in a bid to form a team to take to the Dakar in 2015.
Although Baragwanath made the cut for Dakar 2015, Barbier was unfortunately not selected as he did not have enough race experience, according to the selectors.
He worked immensely hard throughout 2015 to obtain the necessary race experience, by competing in the national championships, Gauteng Off-road Championships and the FIM Africa Cross-Country of African Nations in Kenya (which he won, thus securing his entry into the Dakar 2016).
George Twigge, the 2015 master class national champion, joined the team in 2016.
The Dakar trip has, to date, not been an easy ride.
Barbier has had some serious struggles with his fuel system (about which the mechanics have not been able to do much), a few flat tires and a problem with his fan during Stage 10.
The team’s mechanics spent an all-nighter getting both Baragwanath and Barbier’s quad bikes ready to roll for Stage 11.
Barbier left the pit area with one minute and 30 seconds to spare to get to the clock-out area.
He finished Stage 11 in position 14 yesterday (January 14) and steadily moved through the rankings, after he dropped to position 40 by Stage Three, due to fuel system problems, as well as stopping to assist Baragwanath with a flat tyre.
Barbier is starting Stage 12 in 22nd position today (January 15), while his team-mates, Twigge and Bosman, have been forced to retire.
Twigge retired due to permanent engine failure and Bosman due to two broken wrists, following a high speed fall.
Baragwanath, however, is currently in a very solid third position overall.
For more information on the team, visit www.teamrhidesa.com or www.facebook.com/TeamRhideSA.
