SAA Cargo congratulates Toyota Gazoo South Africa Team post Dakar Rally 2017
Johannesburg, 23 January 2017. South African Airways Cargo (SAA Cargo) is the proud air freight partner of the Toyota Gazoo South Africa team for the Dakar Rally 2017 which took place in South America from 2 to 14 January 2017.
The cargo division of SAA successfully transported three racing vehicles including spares to São Paulo, Brazil en route to Argentina. Viewed as the ultimate test of vehicle durability, the 39th edition of the Dakar Rally, took place over 13 days in Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina. The race ended on Saturday, 14 January in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires after 12 stages.
Team SA demonstrated a high level of endurance and navigational skills in gruelling off-road conditions. They also faced high altitude mountains, treacherous dunes, rocks, holes, dust, and mud. From scorching heat to temperatures close to freezing point including heavy rainfall, which forced cancellation of one stage of the race, team SA demonstrated a high level of endurance and navigational skills to thrive in these gruelling off-road conditions.
SAA Cargo’s General Manager, Tleli Makhetha said, “We are very proud of our association with this team who achieved a top ten finish at the most gruelling international motorsport race. The Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa Team has lived up to expectations and represented our country with pride despite the many challenges faced in the early stages of the race of the Dakar Rally 2017.
“We are very pleased about the partnership as it does not only demonstrate our commitment to promoting South Africa through sport but also promotes our cargo services during this global event”.
The team was represented by double former winner, driver Nasser Al-Attiyah and his navigator Mathieu Baumel in Toyota Hilux vehicle #301, and 2009 winner Giniel de Villiers and navigator Dirk von Zitzewitz who drove in Hilux #302.
Congratulations to Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa Team!
Interesting facts
• The racing vehicles are designed in line with size restrictions for commercial cargo holds and thus built in such a way they can be disassembled to the size of the pallet and container to be used.
• It takes about 3 hours to disassemble each car and 6 hours to reassemble.
• Each car weighs approximately 2000kgs.
About SAA Cargo:
SAA Cargo is a division of South African Airways focusing on airfreight movement worldwide. The division uses dedicated cargo aircraft as well as belly space on SAA’s passenger flights for cargo carriage. SAA Cargo prides itself for providing effective and time-sensitive airfreight solutions for its varied customers. In addition to offering an ad hoc charter service for more urgent deliveries; SAA Cargo reliably transports, among others, general cargo, perishables, mail, livestock, vulnerable and valuable cargo across the world.
For more information contact:
Thola Nzuza
SAA Cargo Communications
Tel: +27 11 978 5943
Mobile: +27 83 376 9297
Email: TholaNzuza@flysaa.com
For media information, please contact:
SAA Spokesperson
Tlali Tlali (Mr)
Email: TlaliTlali@flysaa.com
Mobile: +27 82 333 3882
Office: +27 11 978 2298
Digital
Website: www.flysaa.com
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