Friday, December 12, 2008

Motorsport of the month: Dakar Rally

Since 1979 racers have put themselves and their machines to the test in the most inhospitable environment in the world, and they called it the Dakar Rally. Over the past 30 years the race has has started and ended at various points but the race is typically run from Paris France to Dakar in Senegal Africa. The race covers a wide variety of terrain, but it's the Sahara Desert that truely defines this race. Heavilly modified motorcycles race along with buggies and commercial trucks across sand and rocks for days on end.




The race was created by Thierry Sabine, a motorcycle racer, who got lost in the desert. While in the desert Sabine thought it would be a good place to hold a race. The race usually runs from Paris to Dakar, however there have been many different routes, including one from Paris to Cape Town in South Africa, and one from Paris to Dakar and back again. Because of terrorist threats there was no 2008 race, however, the rally will be held in South America for 2009.





One of the most interesting things about the Dakar Rally is types of vehicles that race. There are motorcycles, which are split into two groups; Group 1 Marathon bikes, and Group 2 Super-Production bikes. Marathon bike are 450cc's or less, and are close to production models, Group 2 bikes are more modified and have two classes for below and above 450cc's. There is also a Group 3 for quads.

In addition to motorcycles there is a class for "cars". These usually include specially built rally SUV's like Mitsubishi's Pajero. And there the truck class, for large (over 7,700lbs) commercial trucks. These are really a sight to see.

Bikes that have competed in the Dakar Rally include:
KTM 690 Rally
KTM LC4 660R
KTM LC8 950R
BMW R650RR
Yamaha YZE850T
Cagiva Elephant 900
Honda NXR800V
Honda NXR750V
BMW GS980R
Honda XR550
Yamaha XT500

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