DORSET tree surgeon Daniel Upton is heading off on the 2006 Dakar rally. His 18 tonne MAN four-wheel drive truck is one of four support vehicles for the Bowler Spirit team.

He will be a fast chase competitor, keeping pace with the main team to lend support in the event of a breakdown.

A previous competitor in the Dakar, Daniel will support the five-strong Bowler Spirit by fixing mechanical problems or, if necessary, providing a tow home.

The world's most gruelling rally, across the Sahara, will start from Lisbon on the December 31.

Competitors will race through Morocco, Mauritania, Mali and Guinea over two weeks.

Daniel, from Woodlands near Verwood, used funding from broker First Capital Finance to purchase the specially-built truck for the rally.

He had already used First Capital Finance in Charminster Road, Bournemouth for funding for over £150,000 for specialist equipment for his tree surgery business.

"Having used First Capital Finance for many years to fund my business equipment, I knew that if any company could find the funding for such an unusual asset as this, it would be First Capital Finance," said Mr Upton.

First Capital Finance business development manager Darren Venton said: "Many people think that asset finance is purely for cars, but in fact it can encompass almost any asset including unusual items such as this.

"The word 'asset' can be used in its widest sense and funds can be secured against virtually any company purchase including cars, machinery, office equipment, computer systems and telecoms."

First published: November 10