The Rally Raid UK Mercedes T5 Team is lead by main driver Martyn Maisey with navigator David Massey and co-driver Andy Nurden. Martyn is a Dakar veteran having completed the 1999 Dakar on a KTM, driven a car in support in 2001 and acted as a mechanic in 2003. David is a qualified pilot and flying instructor and Andy is well known in Moto X circles for riding four strokes for many years before they became fashionable.
The truck is a much modified 1998 Mercedes 917 AF four wheel drive now certified to 9.5 tonnes. The truck was intended by the team as a main T4 entry, but difficulties with homologation have forced a T5 assistance category.
During the rebuild the suspension has been modified with new springs specially manufactured shocks and considerable strengthening and stiffening of the chassis. The engine has been uprated by a combination of turbo changes, pump changes and higher compression ratios.
The cab has been stripped and a full roll cage added inside with the three seats set in a row. The rear carry section is divided between load carrying (spares in racks) and workshop facilities (compressor, lights tools etc.)
This year the Mercedes is the main support vehicle for many of the Rally Raid UK entrants and will be providing spares transportation in conjunction with a further 6by6 T5 and a 4by4 T4 entry for all the cars, bikes and even a sidecar entered in this years Dakar.
Follow the exploits of Martyn, David and Andy during the race along with all the Rally raid UK competitors on both the Dakar web site and the Rally Raid site.
