Dakar Widow's Bivouac Jabber

I've been contacted numerous times this past month about our plans for Dakar '14. I've been busy building my (non Dakar) business, caring for my son and enjoying our summer - yet we have not stopped working towards the upcoming Dakar and Freedom Rally Racing.

Some highlights of what's going on currently -

• 3 riders so far. Have room for 1 more
• Building and prepping rally bikes
• Support truck being sent off for an overhaul
• Shopping for a new motorhome
• 2 mechanics have been signed
• Rally bikes for sale and/or lease; both new and used
• Revamped support packages
• Added spectator packages
• Working a new dedicated website
• Working on 2014 Tshirt designs

Busy, busy, busy! I am going to start getting our previous years videos and photos put together so I can share links with you & will post in this thread. Start sharing our events and builds etc. Lots of visual....because that's really what we care about, right =)

I just uploaded Part 1 from a Dakar Q and A seminar we did. Stories from team owner, Mike Stanfield, team manager and lead mechanic, Scott Spears, and infamous 150 pilot, Luis Belaustegui.

Here is the video link - Enjoy! http://youtu.be/BjXcdYxVK2M

Looking forward to watching the progress !

Thanks for bringing the Freedom Rally Racing team to ADVrider! I love all the stories and legends that are borne from the efforts of guys like Luis and Mike. Keep up the good team work.

Does anyone want us to put together the part 2 and 3 of the video I shared above? Would need to be edited, so want to know before we go thru the work.

Pretty please!

Thanks, Sandi. - I appreciate what you do to bring the behind-the-scenes news from Freedom Rally Racing to this forum.

Good to see that F.R.R.-Dakar T-shirts will be available to civilians this year. I'm definitely in for a couple.

It's great that the efforts of Mr. Stanfield and Scott are taking hold and that the Freedom Rally Racing team is growing.

First 2 years we had tons of shirts. Last year, only for crew. If you want one this year, I'd need to know soon, so I can try to make it happen for you.

Might have a new shirt of two from last year that I was thinking about giving away. (I personally have several, but are used and small...so probably wouldn't want the shirt off my back lol) I'll let you know if I come up with any....or with any Dakar memorabilia. And figure out how to choose.

I'd like a shot at any Dakar 2013 swag you come up with (to celebrate Luis "150" B's finish) and I'm in for a 2014 Freedom R.R. T-shirt in large.

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Will dig around next week and see what '13 swag we can find. :)

The backstory is almost always more interesting than what's above the fold, so, speaking purely from the standpoint of a vicarious adventurer, yes, of course. On the other hand, it sounds as if you have quite enough on your plate as is so I'd feel a bit guilty that you'd have to invest time that could be spent more productively otherwise.

Part 1 was fun and informative, but had you not mentioned Parts 2 & 3 I'd have been perfectly happy having been gifted with that highly enjoyable 15 minute look behind the scenes.

Thanks muchly for Part 1 and the thread. I'll be looking for updates.

Sadly, I have to inform the 150 is retired. It all began to say....It can and did. Now that it has been accomplished. Retired. Moving on to new dreams.

Never too busy for Dakar stuff!! I'll work on making it happen.

Thanks for taking the time

Thx for the updates.. so, what's Luis going to be riding this Dakar ?

Sadly, our favorite Argentinian will not be riding this year. After a hard yet successful completion last year, the man and pocketbook need a rest.

Excited to announce (In no particular order)
Dakar 2014 Freedom Rally pilots and their wheels are.....

✦ Marco Saldarriaga - 2013 KTM 450RR (Rally Replica)
✦ Mateo Moreno - 2013 KTM 450RR (Rally Replica)
✦ Kevin Muggleton - 2012 Honda CRF450X Rally
✦ Peter Hardy - 2011 KTM 450 XCW

I am also waiting for it.