As the name suggests, the Empty Quarter is not exactly teeming with conventional architectural or cultural tourist attractions.

Yet, for rally-raid enthusiasts, it is a staggering treasure trove with dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see. Millions? Billions, perhaps? Who knows, it is hard to count while in the throes of sand fever.

The riders and crews were even willing to jump out of their sleeping bags in the dead of night to tackle a 508 km road section and plunge into this sea of dunes for a pivotal 118 km special that set the stage for their stay in the Empty Quarter.

Press release

Ladies through the dunes without any problems

During the fifth stage, Anja van Loon, Floor Maten and Marije van Ettekoven managed to record the 9th fastest time for the second time in a row. The ladies drive smoothly through the dunes with the Iveco Powerstar. In addition, they are the fastest within Team De Rooy.

“We actually had a great day,” says Anja. “It went well from the first meter and we were able to keep up with the other trucks. A number of other trucks overtook us, but we caught them all back. We went smoothly through the dunes, again had no problems.”

With the ninth fastest time today, they are the fastest within Team De Rooy. “We are happy with today. We simply stand for the men within the team, we have done well. And that’s actually quite cool. On to tomorrow!”

The sixth stage is spread over two days, the so-called 48-hour stage. A 626 kilometer stage will be held in the sand and dunes of the Empty Quarter, with 6 small bivouacs along the way. As soon as the clock strikes 4 o’clock, the participant must spend the night in the next bivouac. The rally continues the next morning and the rest day is planned in Riyadh on Saturday.

Photo

Video