Americans to Race in the Grueling Dakar Rally

Race fans will have something to cheer about this winter as five American drivers prepare to take the start of the grueling Dakar Rally.  While NASCAR teams retreat to their shops for the winter to work on next year's cars and take their holiday breaks, several brave drivers are heading to the deserts of Africa for the world's toughest off-road race.  This year 508 competitors from 40 nations will embark on the journey of a lifetime in a wide variety of vehicles; motorbikes, ATV's, pickup trucks and big rigs.

It is an event that makes popular American reality shows such as The Amazing Race, Survivor and Fear Factor look like child's play.  The race will cover 6,500 miles through 8 countries over a span of 16 days.  Every conceivable terrain must be navigated, from rocky mountains to barren deserts where sand dunes frequently halt their progress.  Teams must dig themselves out when stuck and make repairs along the course if they break down.  They must cope with scorching heat during the day and freezing cold conditions at night.  Opportunities to sleep are minimal and the racers must make do in a temporary bivouac that moves along with the event each day.  At the end of each stage, there is only a short amount of time for their crew to work on their vehicle before the next stage.

Beginning in Lisbon, Portugal on New Year's Eve, the racers will head south through Spain to the Mediterranean Sea.  These stages are primarily for show, as it is the only chance the European fans have to see their heroes on home soil.  They will then cross the Strait of Gibraltar via cargo ship, before hitting the shores of Africa where the true endurance contest begins.