32nd edition of the Dakar Rally

[Anonymous]

#3185

After a successful first experience in South America, the organisers of the 32nd edition of the Dakar Rally are looking forward to renewing the adventure on 2 January in Buenos Aires. In 2010, Argentina and Chile will jointly celebrate the bicentenary of their independence, and the Dakar will have the honour of starting these celebrations.Hugo Payen in action during the 2009 DakarAmong the many two-wheeled competitors who will be heading across to Argentina and Chile to experience this intense challenge of navigation, riding skill, machine reliability and endurance, are two BMW G 450 X riding Frenchmen that are being supported by the Pays de Loire Moto dealership in Nantes. Both riders are looking forward to the challenges of 9000 kilometres of dune crossings, off-piste navigation and the chance to take on the Atacama Desert, but each has an entirely different reason for being there. Hugo Payen’s objective on a rally-prepared G 450 X is to finish inside the top 20, while André Lenoble’s goal is to finish this Dakar with a bio-fuel-powered BMW G 450 X – and show that it is possible to have power and performance delivered in a sustainable way. This is the second Dakar for André, whose BMW has been equipped with Flex Fuel technology, which means that the engine is compatible with normal fuel as well as bio-fuels like ethanol. When running with ethanol, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by around 60 per cent, so André’s eco-crusade will be fast-moving environmental message and a clear advertisement for alternative technology. “I chose to take part in the Dakar on a BMW G 450 X that allows me to ride using ethanol because it is equipped with an electronic injection so I can therefore ride on E85 ethanol,” said the biker from the Mayenne area of France. “But I can also use normal unleaded fuel, thanks to an electronic box that regulates the injection based on the fuel. I can therefore prepare for the occasions that I can’t get ethanol all the time.”The specially modified G 450 X of André Lenoble, whose goal is to finish the 2010 Dakar with a bio-fuel-powered BMWIf André Lenoble reaches Buenos Aires on 17 January, he will have recorded a major achievement for sustainability, as well as being the first rider to compete in the Dakar Rally on a dual-fuel motorcycle. The main testing of the bike has now been completed and everything seems to be ready for him to tackle around 9000 kilometres of the toughest conditions imaginable. With its Rallye kit with additional fuel tanks, Andre should be capable of riding up to 300 kilometres between refills. With the ‘normal’ BMW G 450 X, former French Enduro Champion Hugo Payen is determined to finish in the top 20 in January, after being forced to retire from the 2009 Dakar with a technical problem. Although he was upset – as he felt in good shape and was managing well in conditions that many riders were finding extremely testing – the 38-year-old from Nantes stayed in South America and followed the remainder of the rally in a car, providing assistance when necessary to the other BMW riders – a true sign of BMW Motorrad solidarity.Hugo has been training all year with Team Performance Enduro and will be in great shape for December. His G 450 X bike is equipped with a big aluminium fuel tank in the front, two tanks at the rear and the stock tank under the seat, giving him 30 litres of capacity. The ‘normal’ BMW G 450 X of former French Enduro Champion Hugo PayenWith suspension work by Shaft Racing, an Akrapovic exhaust and a special navigation system, Hugo is prepared for everything that the 14-stage, 9000-kilometre loop through Argentina and Chile can throw at him. All the European competitors’ machines left the port of Le Havre on 25 November for the voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to Buenos Aires. For more information on the 2010 Dakar Rally, please visit the http://www.dakar.com website

[Murray]

#13257

Shame neither Payen nor Lenoble finsihed. Not much coverage on telly  😡 SKY had a couple of hours of highlights (jolly good they were though!) and a fair bit of that time covering the bikes. Must say it looked pretty tough going in the sand dunes  😛88 finished out of 161 starters, the only two BMWs being the 450s of Pedro Bianchi Prata in 30th and Pau Soler in 42nd.Next year the Dakar is going to be limited to 450 bikes only, so potential to do well.

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