Dakar 2013

[luisbelaustegui]

I would like to start the conversation about americans riding Dakar.
This is the biggest off road event in the planet, it has 5.000.000 spectators, 1200 hours of TV.
Participants from 84 countries, the best technology, the best brands, the best fo the world racing and Very few americans interested.
Here we ride Enduros and Hare Scrambles, that are way harder to ride technically than the Dakar.
I do not understand why it is that it is not popular in the States.
Tomorrow I will upload some pictures of the last two events, we attempted to do it on a KTM 150cc, and the last time we almost got it.

[zenjen]

You got sooooooo close this last time Luis. You had people all over the world pulling for you. It was a pleasure to follow your progress through the race and heart breaking at the end. You did good and showed big heart.

Hope you can go back to the Dakar in the future and get that finish on the little 2-smoke that could.

[Baja Dad]

Originally Posted by luisbelaustegui

I would like to start the conversation about americans riding Dakar.
This is the biggest off road event in the planet, it has 5.000.000 spectators, 1200 hours of TV.
Participants from 84 countries, the best technology, the best brands, the best fo the world racing and Very few americans interested.
Here we ride Enduros and Hare Scrambles, that are way harder to ride technically than the Dakar.
I do not understand why it is that it is not popular in the States.
Tomorrow I will upload some pictures of the last two events, we attempted to do it on a KTM 150cc, and the last time we almost got it.

Lots of us Racers in the states Love this event.
Many would love to race the Dakar ( It was a Big DREAM of mine until I broke my Back and my Hip in 1990.
I did come back and race many more Off Road events after that.
For my self at this time in life The cost off the Dakar would cover me for two Years of racing (6) scores events with money left over.
I think with a Race like the one I just did last month (NORRA Mexican 1000 4-day Rally) More Racers in the states will get the DAKAR BUG.

HAVE PASSPORT WILL TRAVEL !!!!!

[Dread Pendragon]

When does the list of competitors come out for 2013? I thought it was around May/June.

[Deadly99]

Are you competing again Luis?

[El Cucuy]

Luis--just posting to say two things:

1) I am a fan of Dakar (along with many of my bros)

and

2) You are a badass!--pulling for you to finish in 2013!

[luisbelaustegui]

Many thanks to the nice things you guys said.
The truth is that this is very expensive, but it is also true that it you want it bad enough it is possible.
I am a teacher with three kids, and I did it.
Once you get in the racing mode you generate the necessary resources to do it
This is such a big event that selling to sponsors is easier than in only American events.
In my case Freedom Cycles helped me a great deal and KTM Austria too. But I am nothing special, most of you are a lot faster than me, I am just more stubborn than most.
The last day to present your Dossier is July 15th, and so far very few americans are attempting it.
We can not let the Frenchies tell us how to ride on the dirt.

FreedomCycles has a phenomenal assistance truck and all the know how to prepare bikes and assist riders.
The solutions are now closer than ever to be able to ride.
freedomcyclesinc.com

I can help with navigation and everything else.

I am sure that there are motorcycle clubs and organizations that can pull resources to make it happen for an american rider. As I am sure that there is someone rich enough that would like to sponsor a rider.
Freedom has also a motorhome that follows the race as a support vehicle with room in it.
I am from Argentina, so the fact that is raced in Latinamerica makes it much easier for me, we can pass all that along.

Luis

[luisbelaustegui]

Does anyone know what Americans will do Dakar in 2013?

[GnarlyKarle]

http://www.sparksdakardream.com/

[zenjen]

Congratulations, Luis #150.

YOU DID IT!!!!! - Great ride, Iron Man.


You kept the F5 die-hards on the edge of our seats.

.

[husqvarna]

Well done Luis; fantastic achievement. You have many, many fans all around the world including in South Africa where we appreciate tough men who do not give up.

[fz6kd7]

Congrats luis you made one hell of an effort
and glad you finished

[troy safari carpente]

Congratulations, Luis #150.

One of those truly fitting of the title "Spirit of the Dakar".

[makazica]

Bravo Louis!

Believe it or not, the biggest Croatian motorcycle forum was cheering for you all the way.
For us over there the race was finished only when you came through!

M.

[Flower Power]

Congratulations Luis, for completing and doing so well at Dakar 2013. Been sitting on the edge on my seat waiting for news each day that you finished and started the next day.