| Team Dome BMW - Introduction |
|
Will the Dakar dream come true in 2005?
New Year’s Eve will certainly be one to remember for BMW Motorrad Off-Road Skills instructors, Simon Pavey and Nick Plumb. After months of preparation they will start the 27th Telefònica-Dakar Rallye from the Spanish city of Barcelona.
Since 1978, the Telefònica-Dakar Rallye has established itself as the toughest and most dangerous motorsport race in the world. Advanced navigation and riding skills are needed to negotiate thousands of miles of hostile terrain that often includes abandoned towns and barren desert.
Simon Pavey is no stranger to the Telefònica-Dakar Rallye having entered the race on four previous occasions (1998,1999, 2003 and 2004) and managed to finish two of the gruelling events. Last year’s Dakar saw the Australian-born competitor break a collarbone when he crashed only 30km from the finish of the ninth special stage. However, one year on, Pavey is prepared for more.
“I think this is going to be my best Dakar yet,” said Simon who will be riding a modified BMW F650 GS Dakar under the name of Team DOME BMW in the 2005 event. “Unlucky things can happen but we are really confident with the bikes now. Dakar is a big dream, and I realised that dream in 1998, and it was everything I wanted it to be. A big part of the experience is learning about yourself, how you are as a person, as well as a rider. You are out of your comfort zone out there, but I love the big sand dunes. The feeling of riding on top of hard-packed sand is amazing – and you can do the best feet-up slides ever!”
Dakar 2005 is considerably shorter in length – compared with 2004 – because two stages and hundreds of racing kilometres have been omitted. However, the 17-day race that ventures through Morocco, Mauritania, Mali and Senegal will total an impressive 9,039km. This year there will be more emphasis on ground navigation skills rather than the performance of machines.
Pavey’s British team-mate Nick Plumb managed to complete his first Telefònica-Dakar Rallye in 2003 on a BMW F650 GS. He finished a credible 65th place despite injury, and was only one of three Brits to complete the event. In 2004, Nick was actually reported 'lost' during last year’s Telefònica-Dakar Rallye when he was stranded alone in the African Desert. Nevertheless, Plumb isn’t about to let a small detail like that stop him from entering the biggest and most gruelling off-road rally in the world.
“The Dakar is the one event I put in my diary despite there being a lot to lose," he said. "At certain points you can be enjoying a beautiful ride with beautiful scenery and, in a split-second, it can all change. And before you know it you’re in hell. However, I love riding a cracking-good bike and the challenge of riding a 650 BMW and testing myself and the machine is what makes it all worthwhile. That and dreaming of finishing the Dakar with Simon, as a team.”
Simon and Nick will be seen off by UK fans from BMW South London Motorcycles on 27 December, between 11am and 1pm. More committed fans will share Simon and Nick’s final hours in civilisation at a New Year's Eve party in Barcelona before they start the gruelling race the following day.
The 2005 Telefònica-Dakar Rallye Party will finish on 16 January in Dakar.
For further press information please contact one of the following:
Andy Dukes / Kylie Maebus / Lauren Haslehurst 08000 131 282
Tony Jakeman 01344 480185
|
 |
|
