New Dakar atv team needs help

[Elk Hunter]

I Plan to put together a quad team for Dakar and Know nothing about it. Is there anyone that can help? Thanks in advance

[Chase 2]

You are kinda late for this next race.

[Dezertpilot]

I hope you have 150k for this race, DAKAR is EXPENSIVE!!!!!

[Elk Hunter]

I want to be as prepared as possible so skipping the next one is not a problem.
Is there anyone on RDC that I can contact with Dakar experience that might want to help out?

[Chase 2]

I personally don't know of any Gringos that have done it on a quad. Search for a guy that posts here the goes by the name of Hogwild. He attempted The Dakar on a Harley Davidson based Sidehack. He's also real involved with helping bike teams do The Dakar events. With the venue being changed to South America it will be much much different than when it ran in North Africa. If you are that serious, perhaps you should go down to try to watch this years event to see what its all about.

[Hog Wild]

Is there anyone on RDC that I can contact with Dakar experience that might want to help out?As a "biker", the place to be is on AdvRider.com, in the race forum. That’s where the rally bike guys hang out and discuss things.

You JUST missed the most important opportunity all year for learning and preparing for Dakar. All the American biker Dakar gang just spent 3 days in the desert following Dakar style rally roadbooks, practicing the unique navigation:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=354684

Training last year:
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34371
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218527

If you do it right, it will take you at least a year to prepare. You need to get connected in with the guys who go each year, start asking questions, and come out to the training rides. The most valuable contact you can have is Charlie Rauseo:
http://www.rallymanagementservices.com/support.html
Call Charlie today!

Yes, expect to spend $100K for one shot at Dakar. If you went cheap (minimum support, no mechanic), and on 2 wheels, you could do it for less. If you go for full support, with a mechanic, and lots of spare parts, expect to pay over $100K.

[Elk Hunter]

Thanks, Charlie got me started in the right direction.

[John Mags 944]

Hi Elk hunter, I too want to do Dakar on a quad. I have done the Australasian Safari recently and won the quad class. At the event was fellow quad competitor, Vicus Vanderventer who has done 4 Dakar's on a quad and won two of them. He also would be keen to race. Planning and preperation would be easy but the big hurdle is $$$$$$$$$. As a team you need $150,000 per rider. If you have that sort of money or know people who would put that money up then it would not be so hard.

http://www.atvpod.com.au/racing/2008/Safari/Leg_7.asp

http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-au/Vehicles/InTheNews/OUTLAW+WINS+AUSTRALASIAN+SAFARI.htm

[Moss2]

You might look up the Skiltons. I think they offered some sort of Dakar support or consultation in the past. They certainly have been there enough to point you in the right direction.

[Chase 2]

You might look up the Skiltons. I think they offered some sort of Dakar support or consultation in the past. They certainly have been there enough to point you in the right direction.

Darren was/is the American Rep for the ASO who puts the race on.

[Goober]

If you went cheap (minimum support, no mechanic), and on 2 wheels, you could do it for less.

How much for bare bones package?

[Vtr_Racing]

Check your PM`s.

[Dezertpilot]

How much for bare bones package?

If you are inquiring just for the sake of it ok. If not why do it any other way than being fully prepared? I would not race a race of this magnitude without going in looking to do well. This is the rallys of rallys.

[John Mags 944]

Honestly, you need to forget about penny pinching for a rally like this. If you are riding you will not have the mental capacity to be thinking about what it is costing you.:D You will need every bit of focus and concentration just to get through each day.

What I would recomend is getting in touch with some one who has done a big rally and ask them for advice. I got some great help from Chris Blais in preperation for the Australasian Safari and it payed off with a win. I knew it was going to cost a heap of $$$ but if you want to do it properly there is no way out of that.

Let me explain more. Say you want to do it cheap, fair enough. Perhaps you will save $10k or even $20k. But on a budget of $100k to start with, who cares? Not a big difference but the difference out in the middle of know where is huge. Just to know that you have all bases covered is re assuring feeling which will help give you the confidence to keep on going. The less that goes wrong out there, the better your chances of finishing. And finishing is everything.

I would love to do Dakar but until I secure the funds and at least 4 months of preperation time it would be a waist of time.

Just my thoughts.

[John Mags 944]

Oh and by the way, 2 wheels aint cheaper. Moose tyres everyday cost alot. Quad tires last much longer.:)

[Elk Hunter]

Now that the 1000 is over plans will be made for the 2010 Dakar on a quad.It is just to late to do 09. This will be a all or nothing effort, go big or go home and in it to win it. Thank you all for sending over the contacts. Keep em coming.

[WickedGravityVideo]

Hey Reid: Congrats on your Baja 1K finish -- nicely done! I was out on my moto getting to RM54 rocky hill when you came whizzing by me at about RM50. I have a friend, Cody, here in GJ that did the Por Las Pampas Rally on a bike 2 years ago - this is essentially the rally that Dakar has purchased and taken over for Dakar South America. Let's get together for lunch with Cody and he can fill you in. I want to be your media guy when you go -- DAKAR 2010. I am packing my bags already!