Published: June 30, 2021 | Updated: 1st July 2021
A bid by an all-British, all-female off-road team to compete in the world’s toughest and biggest motor rally has got off to an impressive start.
Poole-based Excite Rally Raid – the brainchild of Team Principal and driver John Hardy – is planning to take part in the 2024 Dakar Rally and possibly earlier.
The gruelling off-road endurance challenge, formerly known as the Paris-Dakar Rally, is open to amateurs and professionals and staged every year in desert conditions.
Excite Rally Raid aims to move from the British Cross Country Championship (BXCC) into the BAJA Europe series and, ultimately, compete in the Dakar Rally.
Rounds 1 and 2 of BXCC were cancelled due to the pandemic but, in Round 3 – held at Parkwood near Bradford in West Yorkshire – the three-strong Excite team were named first in class on the last round.
John Hardy said it was the best possible start for driver Jade Paveley and co-drivers Hannah Davison and Claire Williams in their Mitsubishi Pajero T2.
He added: “The car ran well, the girls made us very proud on their first competitive outing and we’ve learnt a lot as a team.
“A huge thank you to everyone who has got us here.
“There will be lots more to come.”
Jade, a highly experienced motorsport champion, pictured with Hannah and Claire, said: “The stages were wild compared to anything I’ve done before in racing or rallying.
“Cross country was totally new to me with crazy downhill sections, tight and twisty sections between trees that you could hardly fit through and so many obstacles with huge rocks.
“I loved it and loved the challenge.
“The car was really strong and, despite a few niggles that need to be sorted for the next round, a massive well done to the team.
“We all learned together.”
John Hardy, pictured left, is no stranger to motor sport with a career spanning more than 30 years as a British rally driver.
He’s competed in marques such as Ford, Peugeot, Vauxhall, Seat and Mitsubishi at local and national level.
The 49-year-old has class wins and high rankings and is an instructor in driving and car set-up at rally schools including Castle Coombe.
The experienced back-up crew at Excite Rally Raid includes crew members Mike ‘Jacko’ Jackson, Benjamin Okey, Aaron Brimblecombe, Jack Ridout, Paul Brimblecombe and Ali Orchard.
Consultants include Mike Jones, Phil Okey and David Jones.
Dean Faulkner, Sponsor and Partnerships Manager, pictured right, is a key member of the management team, responsible for the commercial side.
He has more than 17 years’ experience in sports marketing across a wide number of sports both in the UK and globally.
Responsible for securing and maintaining partner relationships, Dean is also involved with general team management and social media plans as well as running his own business, IML Sports Marketing.
Sponsors and partners secured to date include Duckhams, EBC Brakes, Equine Planning, IML Sports Marketing, Insignia Signs, JR Motors, Maxxis, Rhodes Vans, Waugh Group and Wilderness Lighting.
Dean said: “It’s been tough because of the pandemic but we’re getting lots more interest.
“The BBC will also be filming our journey which is very exciting.
“There will be lots of opportunity in the years ahead for brands to be associated with Excite Rally Raid.
“We strive to deliver value from financial partnerships and investments, tailoring packages to suit goals and budgets of a range of companies and businesses.
“We’ve had a great start with first in class on the very first round of competition.
“It’s great to be a part of this project en route to Dakar.”
