Team Rhide SA tackling Dakar 2015 for rhino

Two proudly South African off-road quad riders, Brian Baragwanath (Dakar Challenge Winner in Botswana) and Hannes Saaijman, are committed to raising awareness for rhino poaching by competing in the 2015 Dakar Rally.

The team will partake in the 9 000 km race in January 2015 in South America and aptly named their team ‘Team Rhide SA’.

“It is a constant war to protect our rhino, which is one of Africa’s greatest wild animals and part of the ‘Big Five’. It is our responsibility to leave a legacy and aid the protection of our rhino for future generations,” says Baragwanath.

“We are pleased that we are able to use our talents to assist in raising global awareness for the plight of rhino.”

It has been a season of great results for Team Rhide SA’s quad members. Baragwanath has claimed two podium results at the South African Nationals, being the overall winner and Q1 (16 to 28 years) champion, while Saaijman has won the Q2 (28+ years) Class and finished third on the overall standings for the year.

Baragwanath secured his Dakar entry by winning the Dakar Challenge desert race earlier this year in Botswana. Saaijman’s entry was accepted a few weeks later.

It will be the first time Team Rhide SA will compete in the prestigious Dakar Rally, but as two experienced off-road quad racing competitors, they are aiming at podium results.

“We are currently working on the final preparations for the 2015 Dakar and hope to finalise our sponsors within the next two weeks,” says Saaijman.

“We are looking forward to representing our country in an event of such high calibre and most of all doing it for a good cause – to create international awareness for rhino poaching.”

Team Rhide SA is currently getting their Yamaha Raptor 700 quads, sponsored by Yamaha South Africa, ready to be shipped to South America for the international event.

“We are grateful for our current sponsors and supporters, including Yamaha South Africa as well as Imperial GM Isando,” says Saaijman.

Imperial GM Isando sponsored an Isuzu truck that will serve as the service truck for the crew.

The logistics and costs involved in preparing for the Dakar 2015 are substantial.

“We hope to attract more sponsors to support our cause and to help us reach our goal.”

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.teamrhidesa.com.

For daily updates and news about Team Rhide SA, follow them on Twitter: @TeamRhideSA and Like their Facebook Page: Team Rhide SA.