inhospitable terrain, the Dakar
Rally is known for its grueling
conditions that test the endurance of teams, with a less than 50
percent completion rate. Competitors from all around the world
challenge their physical limits
and their mechanical, driving
and directional skills, while facing endless miles of rock- trewn,
s
pot- oled roads; tracks and riverh
beds; mountains; shifting sands
and desert winds. The vehicles
include specialized cars, trucks,
motorcycles and quad bikes.
As one of the only open cars
entered, Bryan and Antonio endured the extremes of the driest
desert in the world with temperatures ranging from 120 degrees
to below freezing, as well as altitudes of more than 15,000 feet.
Despite facing several mechanical
issues during the race, the team
focused on the challenge in front
of them to complete each day’s
route.
“The rhythm of drive, fix a
problem, drive and repeat became the never- nding chale
lenge. For Antonio and me,
quitting was not an option, and
that mindset pushed us to do
what the majority never achieves:
finishing the race and placing
second in our class on our first
attempt. It was an experience of
a lifetime and something I have
always dreamed of doing. I am
so honored to be one of the only
Americans who competed in the
race, and I look forward to racing
in Dakar again in the future,” Bryan
added.
CarGuyMagazine.com
65