Abu Dhabi: Husband-wife duo Ian and Sheila Barker return to this year's Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge eyeing a place in the top ten.
The UAE-based pair, known as Team NewTrix Racing are ready to showcase their Nissan Patrol T1, The Beast, in the capital.
Last year, the duo had to call it a day at leg three, after a chain of troublesome events.
"A top ten finish should be possible, but we have to finish every day. It's so easy to push too hard and end up in trouble.
"Mainly we've concentrated on getting the car reliable and improving the cooling which is crucial in these temperatures," said Sheila.
The Beast is a 2008 Patrol powered by a 6 litre Corvette V8, developing over 500 British horse power with massive amounts of torque, an Ohlins suspension (twin shocks at the front) combined with a lightweight aluminium engine.
It provides excellent weight distribution and superb handling.
"A2B, the UAE rally specialist garage, is working on the car.
"They've done a great job rebuilding and reinforcing the front inner wings, which is a weak spot on the Patrol," said Ian. He added that 2009 was a slow year for NewTrix.
"In the absence of a local series, we have only had the opportunity to compete in two events.
"We didn't finish in the 2009 Desert Challenge, and came 15th overall at the recent Ha'il 2010 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. So, we are fired up and aim to be in top 10 in the Desert Challenge 2010."
In 2009, they started 18th in the 2009 Desert Challenge and had climbed to 10th position halfway through the first day, when damage to the front axle sent them to the back of the field.
Day two was no better and they were involved in a three-car pile-up in the dunes. The next day engine failure halted their ambitions.
According to Sheila, they are the only husband-and-wife team on the 2010 entry list. "We don't have time to argue while we're rallying," Sheila said.
At 58, Ian is also one of the oldest competitors and explains how they work as a super team: "Sheila manages the road book, the GPS, the trip-meters and at the same time, finds me the best route through the dunes. She's the boss — I just go where I'm told."
