In a remarkable feat of determination and resilience, Marcella Kirk and Helen Tait-Wright have become the first all-female British team to complete the gruelling Dakar Rally. The 8,000km (4,970-mile) race, held in Saudi Arabia, tested the duo’s endurance and problem-solving skills to the limit.
Kirk, from West Handley in North East Derbyshire, and Tait-Wright, her friend, undertook an extraordinary fundraising effort to realise their dream of competing in the prestigious event. They sold personal possessions, including a car and jewellery, to raise £114,000 (€130,000) to build a specially-adapted 1988 Land Rover Defender 110 and cover their expenses.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including two simultaneous tyre blowouts during the final stage, the pair persevered and crossed the finish line on Sunday, placing 83rd in the Dakar Classic section. “We’ve done it and we’re very proud of ourselves,” they said, reflecting on their remarkable achievement.
The journey was not without its harrowing moments. Kirk recounted the tense final stretch, where they feared they might not make it to the finish line after the tyre incident. “We thought we’d keep the jeopardy going right to the end of the race, just to sort of keep everybody interested,” she joked.
Fortunately, a German team came to their aid, helping to change the tyres and ensuring Kirk and Tait-Wright could complete the final 80 kilometres without any spare tyres and with “the steering being out.”
“A lot of people thought we wouldn’t get here,” Kirk said. “It’s been awesome, all the support has just been out of this world. All the messages kept us going and it gave us a big push to the end.”
The Dakar Rally is renowned for its gruelling terrain, which includes sand dunes, mud, rocks, and dry riverbeds. The all-female British team navigated these challenges using only map reading, as satellite navigation systems were banned.
This historic accomplishment by Kirk and Tait-Wright serves as an inspiration to aspiring adventurers and a testament to the power of determination and perseverance.
