We know that you just finished up your first cross-country rally, what was that experience like?
It was absolutely incredible! The first few days were pretty eye-opening as it is just so different from what I am used to, especially when I saw the size of the sand dunes in Abu Dhabi. The sensation of driving through the dunes was just so much fun, and I loved the adventure and challenge of such long stages. It really was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and I have to say I’m hooked already.
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Any moments that really stood out during that rally? We want it all, the good, the bad, the stressful…
I think Day 2 really stood out because that was when we first encountered the big dunes. They seemed like the size of mountains, and it totally takes your breath away. The first few big dune crossings were stressful! I was so impressed with how capable the Can-Am vehicle was of climbing them, and after that I really started to enjoy it. Also just driving through the terrain was unreal, so many times there was just nothing but dunes as far as you could see in every direction, and it really felt like you were on another planet—or sometimes your only company was a few camels!
How does racing in Australia compare to what you’ve experienced so far racing in the Middle East?
It’s been so different. To be out in the desert, on sand, is unlike any of the rallying I’ve done before in Australia. Although the great thing about motorsport is that despite where you are, one thing that always feels the same is the camaraderie amongst the crews involved. In that way, it felt like coming into another home away from home.