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Today the 11th edition of the TOTAL Pharaons International Cross Country Rally was off to its official great start. Sporting and technical verifications of the vehicles participating in the Rally continued the whole day at the Intercontinental Pyramids Hotel in Giza. The verification was successfully completed this evening at h. 20.00.

101 the motorcycles and the Quads checked, as well as the other 20 participating in the Pharaons Classic. As for the four-wheel category we have verified 20 cars as well as four trucks and other 25 vehicles participating in the Pharaons Classic.

We are lamenting the absence of the Catalan Marc Coma, the amazing winner of the last 3 editions of the Rally. Definite favourite in the two-wheels category is the French David Casteu (KTM). He will be aggressively challenged by the Dutch Frans Verhoven as well as by the Polish Marek Dabrowski, Jaceck Czachor, Jacub Przygonski, but especially by the Italians Matteo Graziani and Oscar Polli. There is great expectation for the performance of the five Aprilia RXV 450 Africa, prepared by the Aprilia Giofil 3000 Team, in collaboration with the Aprilia Race Division. Two Aprilia will be raced by the drivers from the ApriliaTeam, Paolo Ceci and Alex Zanotti, the third from the reporter/driver Angelo Barbiero, the last two by private participants.

An African first for the TM of the M&M Racing Team, entrusted to the “giant” Luca Manca. Among the Lady competitors, there are the very skilled French Ludivine Puy, the Swedish Annie Seel and the Italian Camelia Liparoti piloting a quad.

Christian Lavieille, winner of the previous TOTAL Pharaons Rally is the favourite in the cars category. The French, ex champion of the Endurance trial on motorcycle, is driving a Nissan Proto Dessoude with co-driver Jean Michel Polato.

Everybody must keep an eye on the seasoned pack of the Bowler Wildcat, headed by Patrick Sireyjol, second on the previous Total Pharaons Rally. The British vehicles will also participate in the Challenge Wildcat QT Service, specifically reserved for them. Other participants we welcome are the Chilean Carlo Degavardos (Chevrolet D-Max prepared by the “Wizard” Guido Toni), the French Jerome Pelichet (Bowler Wildcat, third in last year's edition) and Giorgio Beccaris (Nissan Dessoude), who is returning to the Pharaons race, after having won the 1998 edition, the first under the organization and management of JVD.