Dakar Rally 2005 route and details announced

[HogWild]

The route for Dakar 2005 has been announced. This year it begins in Spain, procedes through Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, and finishes in Dakar, Senagal. Of particular interest is the fact that they appear to have banned twin-cylinder 2-wheelers greater than 450cc. There are a few other moderate changes including an expanded quad class, significantly shorter route for assistance vehicles, and a few GPS related changes. My preparations continue: www.HogWildRacing.com

More info on the Dakar web site: www.Dakar.com

[Ricardo Kuhn]

Your Sidecar is so incredible,,you just need to be there even if we need to push you

Bummer that the big 450 are not entittle to race and even wrost the aprilia 450 is not ready for it(well who knows)

Good look on your endevor and thanks for the Information

[HogWild]

Originally Posted by Ricardo Kuhn

...Bummer that the big 450 are not entittle to race and even wrost the aprilia 450 is not ready for it(well who knows)...

The way I read it, a 450 twin is ok, just nothing bigger (for twin cylinder). Also, it appears single-cylinder motors larger than 450cc are still allowed. It's not clear, but I believe larger twin cylinder motors are still allowed in the Quad and Sidecar classes.

[Jabba]

Well it looks somewhat similar to this years' route- which many have deemed the toughest in history. This part of Africa tends toward more technical riding- and lighter weight being beneficial over all out speed and HP. I don't understand banning twins over 450 cc's at all. What possible reason could there be for this? It eliminates bikes based on most of the current adventure platforms on the market. The only things left that are currently available (or desireable in the future) are the 650 thumpers. There were hardly any bikes meeting this description in this years' race- but why ban them? No more BMW twins (not that we were likely to see many in the coming year anyway) and no 950 KTM's- which did participate this year and were likely for next year and the years to come. If they go back to Libya then a large twin would be favored- so what are they thinking? Safety??? That doesn't add up to me. I'd say they were impressed the the Yamaha TWD entry, that's for sure. Perhaps they're keeping an eye on the future and trying to keep speeds reasonable- but that's not really in the spirit of Dakar if you ask me. The fewer rules the better!

[GSPeP]

Hi Zijspan,

A little bit off topic on this thread, but if you're interested in pictures "zijspanraces", here are some nice links:

http://www.sidecarcross.be/2004/fim/...nau/index.html
http://www.sidecarcross.be/2004/fim/...oek/index.html
http://www.sidecarcross.be/2004/fim/...nau/index.html
http://www.sidecarcross.be/2004/fim/...era/index.html
http://www.sidecarcross.be/2004/imba...jel/index.html


On the site www.sidecarcross.be you can find more.

[HogWild]

Originally Posted by GSPeP

Hi Zijspan, A little bit off topic on this thread, but if you're interested in pictures "zijspanraces", here are some nice links:...

GSPeP, Yes, that's one of the better sidecar-cross sites on the net. I check it out regularly, particularly for the great photos. I own and run the SidecarCross.com site, so I'm very well connected with the sport. Been in Antwerp a few times visiting the EML sidecar factory (Kruibeke). That's where my Dakar sidecar frame was made. Also, my passenger for Dakar is from there (Zwijndrecht). If I make it to the start of Dakar, I'll wave to you on my way through Antwerp!
See ya,
Scott

[Cat0020]

Isn't Dakar an enduro?? Maybe in the spirit of Dakar is to have skilled riders who can navigate through the desert correctly and timely, day after day when they are suffering through exhaustion; insead of riders who has mega horsepower machines that can afford to get lost for two hours one day and play catch up in the easy non-nav day.
Anyhow, the Yamaha 2-trac WR450F is a great development for the future of Dakar, less weight, less fuel consumtion, more traction.. It is the future of desert racing.

[sparky69]

as we're talking DAKAR i have a couple of "Q"'s that someone in advrider land may be able to answer.
1) anybody hear from David Park ? he was gung ho to take part in the ' 05 DAKAR. trained in germany with some folks ; andrea mayer etc. haven't seen a thread or heard a peep from David for ages.
2 ) with the intro of the new 12 GS does anyone have reason or has anyone read on the washroom wall if BMW may partake in the ' 05 DAKAR. they had a great showing in 2000 but that was it . nothing since !

[GSPeP]

Originally Posted by Zijspan

GSPeP, Yes, that's one of the better sidecar-cross sites on the net. I check it out regularly, particularly for the great photos. I own and run the SidecarCross.com site, so I'm very well connected with the sport. Been in Antwerp a few times visiting the EML sidecar factory (Kruibeke). That's where my Dakar sidecar frame was made. Also, my passenger for Dakar is from there (Zwijndrecht). If I make it to the start of Dakar, I'll wave to you on my way through Antwerp!
See ya,
Scott

I live in Steendorp (Temse). Kruibeke is only a few kms from where I live. Zwijndrecht only 10 kms.

I hope you make it to the start of the Dakar.

[Jabba]

Originally Posted by sparky69

as we're talking DAKAR i have a couple of "Q"'s that someone in advrider land may be able to answer.
1) anybody hear from David Park ? he was gung ho to take part in the ' 05 DAKAR. trained in germany with some folks ; andrea mayer etc. haven't seen a thread or heard a peep from David for ages.
2 ) with the intro of the new 12 GS does anyone have reason or has anyone read on the washroom wall if BMW may partake in the ' 05 DAKAR. they had a great showing in 2000 but that was it . nothing since !

David popped up about a month ago on ADV- posted something in a thread about the Cyclepump- that's the last time I recall seeing hiim online- but check his member name and look for recent posts if you're curious- His web site is still up- I was watching some of the video of his TT650 last week. The 12 GS is now ruled out of the Dakar with these new rules- no twins over 450 CC's... HOW DOES THAT MAKE ANY SENSE?!

[sparky69]

thanks jabba ; i will have a look for alan. the 450 ruling is weird ! the boys posting in an earlier thread that are ( were ) planning on entering the v-rod can't be too pleased ; unless there is a different ruling applied to sidecars.

[HogWild]

Originally Posted by sparky69

...the 450 ruling is weird ! the boys posting in an earlier thread that are ( were ) planning on entering the v-rod can't be too pleased ; unless there is a different ruling applied to sidecars.

The guy with the V-Rod is me. I started this thread. The 450 rule appears to apply to "two cylinder" 2-wheelers only. It doesn't mention singles, quads or sidecars, so I think we're ok. Since the beginning, the sidecars and quads have been free to do just about anything, though this year they split the quads into <250 and >250 classes. The race organizers recognize the extra difficulty for quads and especially sidecars, and have kept the rules loose to encourage us to give it a shot. Though it's possible to finish Dakar on a 450 or smaller quad, it would be pretty much impossible on a sidecar due to the extra weight of two riders and the 3rd wheel. It's already near impossible for us, so a 450 rule could possibly shut down the sidecars completely.

This year our funding is looking much better, so I think we're gonna make it. Next month we're doing the 500 mile BITD Vegas-to-Reno desert race to help work the bugs out. Udo is coming over from Europe, and this will be the first time we've ridden together. Udo is two time German Sidecar-Cross Champion, and on quads he has taken 1st twice and 2nd once in the Tunisia Rally and Morocco Rally. He's also done the Dakar three times. So he clearly knows what he's doing!

Our V-Rod is working out great so far. No motor problems at all. Pour gas in, twist the throttle, and hang on. That's been the story since the motor went in a year ago. And we've been thrashing it pretty hard out in the desert. I'm still working out some small chassis issues, and other things, but overall I think we're in GREAT shape.

HogWildRacing.com

[sparky69]

zijspan ;thanks for the update.
for myself no other race captures the imagination like the DAKAR. jimmy lewis did very well in 2000 with BM. shawn price ( CDN ) managed to finish in 03 ( ? ) & the US team had some bad luck this yr. my point being simply that it is still very much a european event but with the combination you've chosen that may soon change.
best of luck ; there will be lots of us cheering for you on this side of the pond.

[CroMag]

http://hogwildracing.com/

That is absolutely COOOOOOL! Good luck to you guys and I wish I was going with ya.

[Grover]

Originally Posted by Cat0020

Isn't Dakar an enduro?? Maybe in the spirit of Dakar is to have skilled riders who can navigate through the desert correctly and timely, day after day when they are suffering through exhaustion; insead of riders who has mega horsepower machines that can afford to get lost for two hours one day and play catch up in the easy non-nav day.

Dood, you would be the first person ever to accuse the 950 of requiring less skill and endurance from the pilots to do well in Dakar, because they sure aren't saying that at all.