Official- 2011 Dakar Rally Preparation and Lead-Up Thread

[rallyman]

With conformation of the 2011 Dakar (3rd addition Chile/Argentina) and the world Dakar tour in full swing, along with the release of the KTM 450 rally bikes, we are about to embark on a new age of the dakar.
The domination of KTM in recent times (restricted or not) could be up for grabs in the overall win.
Manufacturer pride will be contested with gusto this addition, with not just two names a standout.

Questions to be debated:

Coma or Despres?
Will Ulleveseter go with the new KTM? (The loyalty is strong)
Is Lopez ready for the next step?
Will Street compete?!?!
Sherco and Team Casteu?
Luca Manca?
Przygonski? - the young Polish rider is learning fast.
Perilli or Michelin?
Australian competitors?
BMW Husky Rally?

Exciting times ahead for die hard Dakar fans.

[SafariBerg]

Originally Posted by rallyman

Australian competitors?
.

GHR are looking at a team of 4 riders, Jacob Smith (Jake won the Aust. Safari in '09 and came 2nd in '07 ) plus 3 others on customer rental bikes, all CRF450X's I would assume.

Glenn certainly knows how to make a CRF450X hang together.

The planning, logistics, admin paperwork etc can take months !!!

Hope it all goes well with the planning and bike development.

Be great to see Jake mix it up with the euro rallye gods

[Tome]

Originally Posted by rallyman

BMW Husky Rally?

Exciting times ahead for die hard Dakar fans.

Having recently spoken to the UK Husky importer he seemed confident that the factory will be giving support for a factory rally team. Hopefully that new BMW engined Husky 450 will show itself in a factory rally team, not just enduro/MX/SM!

[schattat]

Indeed, it'll be the battle of the century with all them 450's!

[rallyman]

I wonder if Cyril's blooding some new water carriers?

All doing OK in the Sardinian Rally

[rallyman]

Coma's preparation for Dakar is moving well with an 8 minute victory in the Sardinian Rally

[Bluebull2007]

Im curious as to what Coma will be racing. A 530 is not going to cut it, or am I wrong?

Despres and Coma are really going to be fighting after the spat they had this year.

It´s going to be awesome.

[troy safari carpente]

Originally Posted by Bluebull2007

Im curious as to what Coma will be racing. A 530 is not going to cut it, or am I wrong?

Not unless you knock 80cc's out of it... otherwise the officialdom will disqualify him... and Cyril will get poo-poo'ed for casually pointing it out...

[rallyman]

Glenn Holmin Racing Australia (Honda) are developing their crf450x dakar bike in the Austrliasian Safari, I guess they mean everything on top of what we need in safari, nav, fuel ect. From what we have seen in Australia it will be the rider that needs to get to "dakar" the bikes are sound!! Go the Aussies!!
If they could find the funds Grabo and Willo should have a crack! (Australian made stater only!!!!!!!!)

[Deadly99]

Rumour has it that Coma's team couldn't convince their local tech support to shave off his signature stash so they have begun an iniative to pay locals and aso staff to grow stashes so their "guy" can better blend in for this event :)

[Safariaddict]

Originally Posted by Bluebull2007

Im curious as to what Coma will be racing. A 530 is not going to cut it, or am I wrong?

Despres and Coma are really going to be fighting after the spat they had this year.

It´s going to be awesome.

I think you find cyrill and co will be riding the new 450 rallye thats just being announced by KTM

[chasbo]

Another year, another great rally hopefully!

[rallyman]

Jordi's been "carring the water" for Coma a long time. I noticed Jordi on a Husky for Sardinia, expect Husky to have a hot dip this year.

Tim Trenker or Luca manca as Comas water man for 2011?!?!

[rallye]

Tim Trenker or Luca manca as Comas water man for 2011?!?![/quote]

Manca for sure!

[rallyman]

Marc Coma has been testing new bike "Feels very good on a motorX track"

Refering to the new KTM 450 Rally