Photos and text courtesy of
KTM
Motorcycles.
Updates: Red
Bull/KTM USA Dakar Rally Team Selected |
Baja 1000
results below
KTM Prepares for the Ultimate Rally - Dakar 2006
Dakar, the ultimate test of man and machine against the forces of nature
offers new challenges each year and preparations at KTM - a company that
sees rally sport and the “Big Adventure” as an integral part of what it
stands for - are now in full swing for the 2006 event.
In 2006, four factory teams will been on the starting line
for the Austrian company that has registered five consecutive wins in this
desert classic:
- GAULOISES KTM with Cyril Despres, Isidre Esteve, Michel
Gau and David Casteu
- REPSOL KTM with Marc Coma, Carlo de Gavardo, Giovanni
Sala
- REPSOL KTM JUNIOR with Jordi Duran, Jordi Viladoms
- RED BULL KTM USA with Chris Blais and Andy Grider
But as tough as the challenge of the race may be, the teams
will only be as good as the support network that follows them in their quest
to conquer the desert. It is also an exercise in mind blowing logistics and
precise planning to ensure that every rider is equipped, maintained, kept
safe and supported for the duration of the race. For KTM that means no less
than a crew of 60 support staff with seven Jeeps and seven MAN Trucks to
follow the race.
Logistical Challenges
The mountain of equipment to be transported includes 15,000 kg maintenance
material, 6,000 kg spare parts, 1,800 kg luggage for riders and mechanics,
including tents and sleeping bags, replacement material for the race- and
transport vehicles and accompanying Jeeps, electric generators, welding
units, tool kits and complete independent repair and service facilities. In
addition, as a contingency plan in the event of transport being delayed or
disabled, another 2 tons of selected spare parts are also air freighted. In
total, KTM will be transporting between 36-38 tons of equipment and
supplies.
The KTM Dakar Machine will be underway with 3 x 3 axle and 2
x 2 axle all wheel drive trucks with a maximum cross country capacity as
well as 2 x 3 axle all wheel drive race trucks and six Nissan Patrol all
wheel vehicles, each carrying enough spare parts so that service work can
begin in the event of the late arrival of a truck.
In addition, all service vehicles must adhere to the race
regulation’s strict safety standards with roll bars, bucket seats, four
point safety belts, additional tanks for a reach of 1000km, fire
extinguishers and emergency equipment such as satellite phones and
state-of-the-art navigation equipment. All KTM vehicles for the Dakar rally
feature specially modified chassis to ensure they can handle the additional
loads and the rigorous journey they must undertake.
2006 Dakar Rally Rule Amendments Emphasize Safety
KTM places the utmost emphasis on safety and following incidents last year,
a security plan has now been worked out with the organizers, including a
number of points introduced at KTM’s request. A 150km/h speed limit will now
apply and riders’ neck guards will also be available from the organizers.
Shorter tank stops, reduced from 350 km to 250 km, are also to be
introduced.
The move is designed to counter the fact that a rider, after
making a rest and refueling stop can suffer a short term lapse of
concentration while having to readjust to the heavier weight of a fully
tanked machine and may overlook potentially dangerous obstacles. In
addition, mechanics may no longer bypass certain sections of the course by
flying from point to point and must cope with the same conditions as the
riders themselves.
Hans Trunkenpolz, KTM's Rally Director, explains "Due to the
heavy accidents at the Pharaons Rallye 2004 and the Dakar 2005, many ideas
were put forward over how rallies can be made safer. After several
discussions these points, which can also be implemented in the hard
conditions in Africa were defined.
Reduction of the tank stop distances. Development and usage
of neck protection systems and protectors. Speed limit on demand of the
promoter. The maximum distance between the tank stops has been reduced from
350 km to 250 km. This means a decrease of 16 – 18 litres of fuel on board
that leads to a weight reduction of at least 16 kg.
This is explained as follows: A rider starts with a full
tank and notices that the handling of the bike gets better with the
decreasing fuel mass, and he is able to ride a lot faster short before
approaching the tank stop.
The tank stop takes 15 minutes, which can be used as a
recovery time for the rider and the machine, and also to evaluate the
rider’s position compared to his competitors.
If there is the need to ride on with full speed to uphold
the position, the biggest danger comes from the rider underestimating the
weight increase from the refueling. This means that on simple tracks serious
crashes cant be ruled out, even with the lower distance of 250 km it is a
big threat but 16 kg less weight mean 30 % more safety."
KTM, with its distinguished record of wins in the Dakar race
expects its teams to continue the tradition of excellence. In order to give
them the best possible prospects to succeed, nothing is left to chance.
Under the KTM motto “Ready to Race”, the company therefore applies as much
dedication to the precise logistical planning for the Dakar Rally as it does
to the design and manufacture of its machines.
Red Bull - Repsol KTM USA Dakar Rally Team Selected
Chris Blais and Kellon Walch have been selected to compete
in the 2006 Dakar Rally. They will spearhead America’s only factory
supported Dakar Rally team as part of the Red Bull/Repsol KTM U.S. Dakar
Team.
To prepare for this arduous event the two will contest the
famed Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 on November 18-20, 2005 as solo entries.
Chris Blais, the affable Apple Valley resident will be
contesting the Baja 1000 and then making a return to Dakar. The 23
year-old rider rode a smart and consistent race and placed 9th overall in
last years’ Dakar and finished Top Rookie.
This years’ Baja 1000 is arguably the toughest ever.
The 709 mile event is extremely rough using many old Baja courses which have
seen massive deterioration after years of competition. “I definitely
have my work cut out for me. This will be a good training exercise
leading up to Dakar. I’m looking forward to taking the experience I
gained in last years Dakar to make a run for a podium position”, said Blais.
Kellon Walch, the youngest member of the team made history
last year as he was the only American to win a stage in the Dakar Rally.
Hailing from Las Vegas, the 21 year-old will also contest the Baja 1000
solo. “We’ll be competing on bikes that are very similar to the Dakar rally
bikes. The seat time that we will log will put us in great position to
get a good result in Dakar. This years’ Baja 1000 is very tough. I’m
sure it will take everything I have just to make it to the finish.”
For 2006, Joe Barker will head up the Repsol/Red Bull Dakar
team as team manager. Barker has been heavily involved in Dakar and
Baja racing activities as he was the 2004 and 2005 Dakar Team Co-Manager.
He has a strong off-road racing background and is looking forward to the
future events.
“Thanks to the team leadership of Scot Harden during the
past 3 years, we are in a good position to experience great success.
The combination of current USA team experience, the liaison with Jordi
Arcarons’ Spanish Repsol-Red Bull Team, the KTM Factory Rally Department,
and last but not least, our Sponsors, Red Bull and Repsol, we have the
ingredients that will give us the best possible chance of great success.
Jordi Arcarons is the most experienced and knowledgeable
motorcycle team manager in Dakar Competition today. Additionally, we
have young and very talented riders assisted by a passionate, experienced
and cohesive support team. The team doctor, Dr. Johnathan Edwards and
lead Mechanic, Matt Spencer are experienced Dakar Veterans that will attend
to every need of the riders to assure that the riders and bikes make it to
Dakar in the best possible position.”
Scot Harden, a Multi-time Baja Champion and 2004/05 Dakar
participant and Team Manager for the U.S effort will act as a team advisor
during the Baja 1000 and 2006 Dakar Rally. “We set a goal last year to
develop an American rider to win Dakar. This is the second year of
that plan. We have a strong team and expect to improve on our overall
result.”
KTM Baja 1000 Results
Chris Blais Solo in Baja 1000: Places 4th in the Pro Class - Red Bull KTM
USA Rally team preparing for Dakar
November 24, 2005 - This past weekend, Chris Blais ran a solo effort and
embarked upon the infamous Baja 1000 as a training exercise for the 2006
Dakar Rally. The 22 year-old began his 709 mile journey beginning and ending
in Ensenada, Mexico, racing on a specially prepared KTM LC4 620 Rally
motorcycle in the toughest Baja to date.
Blais pre-ran the Baja course for two weeks preparing for
the grinding stress of speed, sleep deprivation, mental strain and fatigue
that riders face while competing in marathon off-road events. A team of
mechanics, pit crews and doctors monitored Blais to ensure that he
maintained a steady mental and physical condition throughout his 22 hour
trial. He finished fourth in the pro motorcycle class, while other top
competitors raced the Baja with three or four man teams.
Talented, tough and also preparing for the 2006 Dakar Rally
is Andy Grider. Grider was part of the KTM Dakar Challenge held two years
ago to choose the American Red Bull KTM Dakar Team and was selected as the
alternate. Grider has competed along side Cyril Despres in the Tunisia Rally
and finished on the podium. He will be replacing Kellon Walch, last years’
Dakar rider who placed 22nd overall. Walch has been plagued with serious
injuries and requires rest to regain his overall health. Walch remains an
important part of the team and is already scheduled to compete in European
Rallies next year.
Team Manager Joe Barker said, “The goals of the Red Bull KTM
U.S. Dakar Team are to finish on the podium. We now have two years under our
belt. With the first rate and professional support and guidance of KTM, we
have enough experience and tools in our bag to make a move on the podium. We
have proven that we can endure and finish the event in the top ten.”
Barker added, “I would like to thank our fans for their
support of our Dakar effort. As it has been said in the past, “Dakar is the
Mount Everest of off-road racing”. We hold in high regard all of the
enthusiasm and support from the American fans who realize Dakar for what it
is, the ultimate motorsport challenge to human spirit and physical
endurance. Most importantly, I would like to thank Red Bull, Repsol and KTM
for their tireless support to our team and believing that American riders
can conquer the extreme challenges of Dakar.”
