DEFENDER2.NET - View topic - We are off to race The Dakar

↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home · FAQ · New Posts · My Posts · PMs · Search · Members · Map · Calendar · Profile · Donate · Register · Log In

Home > Off Topic > We are off to race The Dakar

Page 1 of 1

Print this entire topic ·

AndrewS

Member Since: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3711

2013 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 SW Rimini Red

We are off to race The Dakar

Well I've been a bit busy over the few months. Some of you will know myself and two sons Carl and Craig. You know we are into all things off road. We are especially into off road motorbikes. January this year having watched the Dakar again the lads decided to give it a go.
To qualify for the Dakar you have to compete and finish 'on pace' in a qualifying race. The closest race for us is The Rally Du Moroc. So Friday next week we are leaving the UK and driving to Morocco to compete. I'm driving the support truck, first race day the competitors have a 700km route to cover the support vehicles have 500km route. The following 5 days vary between 300km and 500km. It's going to be brutal.
The lads have set up social media etc.
Search Searles2Dakar and you should find links to their stuff. They have been recording their journey and doing vlogs etc.

https://youtube.com/@searles2dakar?si=pNtqRNJ0Krs0_pJu

Any questions please ask. 130's have feeling's as well you know

Last edited by AndrewS on 7th Sep 2025 7:41am. Edited 1 time in total

29th Sep 2023 10:40pm

Bluest

Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4332

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black

What an adventure. Good luck to your lads. I’ll follow on Instagram. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS

29th Sep 2023 11:04pm

AndrewS

Member Since: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3711

Thread resurrection. We are in the 2026 Dakar so its on.
January 2026 14 days of grueling racing. The support truck goes to Barcelona for the end of November to go on a ferry to Saudi. We fly to Saudi end of December pick the truck up and basically get on with it.

Click image to enlarge

We are using Husqvarna FR450 rally bikes. Although 450cc the factory tweak the engines to produce an extra 30bhp. They make about 80 bikes a year and you need to get approved to buy them.
The tower on the front holds the navigation unit. And other equipment.
See a couple of pics of them in the 5 day Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge race.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge 130's have feeling's as well you know

7th Sep 2025 7:48am

Welshsurferdude

Member Since: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Newport
Posts: 2517

Some dollars going into that sort of gear as well

what a adventure

2011 Santorini Black USW XS.

2015 Discovery 4.5 Black pack Firenze red XS

7th Sep 2025 8:07am

90 Dreamer

Member Since: 13 Jul 2019
Location: Oop North
Posts: 2285

2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Corris Grey

Fantastic, very best of luck…….its a “win” just to finish…….

7th Sep 2025 8:49am

MartinK

Member Since: 02 Mar 2011
Location: Clackmannanshire
Posts: 2680

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey

Fabulous! I'll enjoy watching your progress

Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's)

7th Sep 2025 12:59pm

Co1

Member Since: 19 Aug 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 3769

Love it!! Best of luck!!

7th Sep 2025 1:49pm

AndrewS

Member Since: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3711

Thank you all for the comments if you want more detail on anything please ask. Our social media links are here https://linktr.ee/searles2dakar

Please follow as this raises our profile to help get sponsorship. 130's have feeling's as well you know

7th Sep 2025 3:10pm

Page 1 of 1

All times are GMT + 1 Hour

Jump to

< Previous Topic | Next Topic >

Posting Rules

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum