#dakar2018

Ok, what the hell is the Dakar?

Well the Dakar is an off-road rally that runs for approximately two weeks. It currently runs in South America, but originally it started in Paris, France, and finished in Dakar, Senegal. Hence, the name. Unfortunately, the political situation is not one of the most stable ones in Africa, and due to security issues, the rally was moved to South America.

Right, what’s so special about it anyways?

Formula 1 has the Monaco GP. Endurance racing has Le Mans 24H. Indycar has Indy500.

If you want to see the best of the best compete over a variety of terrains and situations, the Dakar is where it’s at.

The fun part about it, is that yes, there are professional drivers, but there are a ton of amateurs as well. And there are a bunch of different categories to keep up with!

So they drive cars in South America, big deal. Sounds easy enough.

Not easy at all, actually! In the cars category, there are different kinds of vehicles. Some that are from actual manufacturer such as Toyota or Mini, and some that are more... Homemade.

One example, was last years’ Pandakar. The Panda 4x4 is known in Italy as your everyday car. Nothing special to it, it’s actually quite underrated (think of your typical soccer mom van)

And someone saw it and thought, “PERFECT CAR FOR AN OFF-ROAD RALLY” which ended up looking like

Jesus took the wheel for that one.

Terrains also range from desert to mountain, to rocky makeshift roads, to patches of grass, to questionable streets, to sunny days, to rainy days, to monsoon season, etc. All in the span of two weeks. And if something goes wrong, most times drivers need to fix stuff themselves on the road and pray to the gods above that they make it to the bivouac.

Ask Nasser Attiyah how his last Dakar ended.

Who???

He was the favorite to win last year’s Dakar (and this year). He’s the champ of off-road rallying. And last year he flipped the car, damaged, lost a wheel and was stuck.

So instead of giving up, he popped his co-driver sittting outside the driver’s window, put some rocks on the hood of the car, alongside the wheel he lost and drove a three-wheeled car to the bivouac.

Don’t believe me? Here’s a video:

He did THAT.

Oh my god.

Oh yes. That’s the spirit of the Dakar, you never give up.

That being said, there are a bunch of categories. Bikes is the most challenging because you’re out there by yourself with your bike and a navigator. You need to figure the route out yourself, it’s not like that there are indicators. If something happens, you’re shit out of luck.

Reining champ Toby Price injured himself while riding, and ended up having to be airlifted to a hospital. His injuries were so severe, he could have died had his fellow competitors not assisted him.

By the way, people routinely die during the Dakar. Not-so fun fact.

You rely on your fellow competitors as much as you as competing against them. Last year Laia Sanz lost her gap lead because someone purposely gave her false indications.

But yes, there are people competing in bikes, cars, quads, SUVs and trucks.

TRUCKS?

Oh yeah.

Choo-choo motherfucker. The Russian beast is coming after you.

This sounds more intense than I thought.

It really is. And the thing is, people never give up. Professional and amateurs alike. Last year, a double amputee competed and COMPLETED the Dakar. Talk about inspirational people.

I’m in. How to I follow this year’s Dakar?

Because it is a long ass event, not all of it is televised. The official website has an extensive list of official broadcasters that will air specific stages and/or recaps.

Red Bull TV is free for all and does their best to keep up with the race live-time.

And I will try to post as much as I can.

You can also download the official app and keep up with the live timing!

Anything else?

Get hyped. Look up competitors, teams. Cheer for them all! Pick a favorite. Look up all highlights from old races! And enjoy it.

God knows I’d love to participate one day.