Many rally teams use the Sprinter as a powerful, economical and rugged support vehicle. Nevertheless, a punishing event like the Tunisia Rally does tend to take its toll on the shock absorbers. So what happens if they give up the ghost and you’ve forgotten to pack a spare set?

Uta, driver of the AEG Power Tool support vehicle, hit on an idea which saved the day for her team. She simply helped herself to the shock-absorbers from an old Ford Transit which had broken down years before in this God-forsaken spot. And although it had been subjected to desert-self-service for many years, the Transit still had a complete set of shock absorbers. What’s more, even though this was never part of the Sprinter development team’s grand plan, they actually fitted. We would like to send our best wishes and thanks to everyone in Cologne, where the Transit was built.