Real-life Road Warriors

[miss_adventure]

I don't celebrate NYE, preferring to start my year at Samhain; typical Western NYE is just another night of dealing with drunks and fights, albeit on a grand scale. However, 31 December is saved for this: it marks the start of the annual Dakar Rally. The Rally, which started in 1979, is an off-road race from Europe (this year's race started in Lisbon, Portugal) through the Maghreb and West Africa to Dakar, Senegal. Racers use cars and trucks, motorcycles and quads, and self-created customized machines--there is even an American sidecar rig competing this year. The 2006 route is expected to take 15 days to complete for the serious contenders, as it is plotted to be as rugged and unforgiving as possible.

Needless to say, I want to ride this rally someday. Just finishing would be a Grand Adventure(TM). (Or because I'd have to enter as a broke privateer and because I would not be competing as a serious contender, a Grand Misadventure.)

Comments

[octal.livejournal.com]

Hi. I also want to do this -- in a Kamaz truck, and throw all the best parties en-route. No need to win (although, I'd have a good shot in the truck category), but rather to be known as the team who has the most fun/style. Plus providing free wifi via satellite at all the basecamps, UAV aerial photography, etc. would be work-related.

I do know some people who have g-wagens, etc. and also want to do it, and a crazy f650 rider. There are some people who do the dubai desert rallies, but that's really an entirely different class.

I'm thinking 2008.

[miss-adventure.livejournal.com]

Dakar should definitely have winners for style, in addition to time/class. I'm decent with wrenches and pretty handy with logistics and navigation, should you need support staff for the truck.

[octal.livejournal.com]

I think entering the dubai cup as a local would make a lot more sense, at least initially. They have some shoestring teams with ex-army Land Rovers, and bikes, and I'm sure fees could be waived.