Race Preparation Report - 2011 Dakar Rally

Honda's Dakar Preparations are in Full Swing

Starting on January first, this year's Dakar Rally runs from Argentina to Chile, then back to Argentina for a finish where it began in Buenos Aires on the 16th of January 2011.

Things have stepped up a notch for Team Honda Europe. Two 6×6 trucks, two Land Cruiser’s, two buggy’s and five bikes last week departed from Le Havre, France for the shores of South America, ready for the start of the 2011 Dakar Rally on January 1st. The machines were loaded in Vorden, Netherlands and the trucks were packed meticulously to serve as super-efficient mobile workplaces for the team during the rally itself.

Team Honda Europe’s five rider team comprises American Quinn Cody, Mirjam Pol from the Netherlands, Russian Alexey Naumov, Vadim Pritulyak from Kazakhstan and Christopher Jarmuz from Poland. The multinational collection of riders can now begin to focus on their own individual preparation and plan their race strategies, safe in the knowledge that there will be an excellent team of well equipped mechanics waiting for them at the end of each gruelling stage.

The journey has now begun for Team Honda Europe but still within Europe, there was a full equipment inspection to undertake. The team were also required to collect essential items from the rally organisers, including the stamp book and stickers, Sentinel, Iritrack, GPS and Tripy that needed to be installed in order to ensure the bikes are full Dakar-ready. After the inspection, the bikes were sealed at the Harbour and loaded aboard.

The main event is getting close but it isn’t just a question of counting down the days. Team Honda Europe is alert, preparing, organizing and constantly busy fine-tuning the last details before the start of the event. The team personnel will depart on December 27th to join the equipment that will be ready and waiting for them for them in Buenos Aires.

There is no turning back now. It’s a race to the finish.