Photo: MDC.

The organizers of the annual Morocco Desert Challenge (MDC) rally raid have signed a three-year deal with Marlink for the provision of tracking and race management services based on the integrated Iritrack technology platform.

Iritrack is a satellite-based tracking and security system providing two-way data and voice communications in a single device. It will be installed on nearly 200 competitor cars, trucks, buggies, motorbikes and quads for the 10th edition of the Morocco Desert Challenge, which takes place in April, and will also be used in subsequent editions.

The system offers a combination of tracking functions and safety sensors in addition to an integrated satellite telephone. By pushing one button participants can contact the emergency center of the rally directly, without first switching on a device and dialing a number, as with a traditional satellite phone.

With Iritrack, the organizers are also able to directly contact competitors even when they are racing. In addition, built-in sensors automatically inform race control when a vehicle is overturned or stationary due to an incident. Iritrack also features manual panic buttons configurable by the user to be used in emergency situations or for identification.

Marlink will deliver and manage the course technology infrastructure for the MDC, with supply of the unique monitoring tool, Iriviewer Software Suite, which manages the Iritrack network to provide accurate live locations and timings of all competitors in addition to analysis of the data received.

Marlink will also provide its team of field engineers to install and maintain the fleet of tracking devices to assist security staff in monitoring the race at the operational HQ. The team will also help train the organizer’s own technicians.