Dakar Rally Moves to the Sands of Saudi Arabia
After 30 years of discovering the beauty of Africa
and a decade exploring the spectacular landscapes
of South America, a new chapter is about to be
written. The Dakar, the world’s biggest rally raid, will
make its Middle East debut in Saudi Arabia, where it
has secured its location for the next five years.
HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan Abdullah Al Faisal,
Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation,
said, “I have always wanted to participate in Dakar
Rally. While I wasn’t fortunate to achieve that
ambition, I’m now part of achieving a much bigger
dream for my country as Dakar comes to the Middle
East region for the first time ever.”Meanwhile, David Castera, Director of the Dakar, had this to
say: “Looking back at my first memories of the Dakar and my
first experiences as a competitor, I’ve always considered that
this rally, like no other, carried a concept of discovery, a voyage
into the unknown. By going to Saudi Arabia, it is of course that
aspect that fascinates me. I’m convinced that such a feeling will
be shared by all the riders, drivers and co-pilots. As the director
of the event, it’s a massive challenge to be faced with a blank
page of limitless possibilities.”
Mr. Castera went on to say, “I’m already inspired and
delighted to have to design a course in such a monumental
geography, made for the most audacious itineraries. We
are spoiled for choice. Sports, navigation, a will to surpass
oneself: all these aspects will naturally be glorified on this
territory made for rally raids.” Dakar.comLexington, Virginia, will be the starting point for the 2019 Horizons
Unlimited Mountain Madness Appalachians. Scheduled for the
weekend of September 13−15, this unique two-day geocaching
event will have motorcyclists navigate through the George
Washington and Jefferson National Forests searching for hidden
tags deep in the Appalachian Mountains.
Teams of riders will have their skills tested both as riders and
as navigators during the challenge and will be classed into four
groups based on the number of cylinders, and also categorized
by navigation method (map/compass or GPS). For new and
less experienced riders looking to improve their on-bike skills,
the Tom Asher Adventure Riding Academy will be on site with
HUMM Appalachian for two days of riding instruction beginning
September 12. HorizonsUnlimited.com | TAARAadv.comADV NEWS
HUMM Appalachians
14 July/August 2019