They say it’s not what you know but who you know, and that couldn’t be more true when it came to fulfilling my lifelong dream of experiencing the Dakar Rally up close. Before I knew it, I found myself deep in the heart of the rally, standing mere meters from the roaring engines and the swirling dust of competitors pushing themselves to the limit.
It started with Carlos, a warm and resourceful friend in Peru, who introduced me to Fernando, a former Dakar rally driver with an unmatched passion for the race. Fernando wasn’t just a ex-participant; he was now in charge of coordinating the Dakar section around the dunes of Huacachina.
His tales of racing through deserts, navigating treacherous terrain, and enduring the rally’s challenges left me in awe. his encyclopedic knowledge of the race, pointed out subtle strategies and split-second decisions that could make or break a team’s success.
Their passion was infectious, turning each moment into a masterclass on the spirit of Dakar.
Then came Gino always quick with a joke, and Hans, our Dutch friend who had made Lima his home. Together, they brought a contagious energy and shared the kind of insider knowledge that only locals and seasoned enthusiasts possess.
With their connections , doors that once seemed impossible to open suddenly swung wide open.
But the real magic came when Fernando, allowed me to drive the dunes at high speed, and arranged for me to visit the bivouac, where drivers, mechanics, and teams regrouped after gruelling stages.
The Dakar Rally had always been my dream, but it was the incredible people I met along the way who made it truly unforgettable.
The video is in various sections, starting with the week leading up to the race, followed by us racing the the dunes, the Dakar Rally and our visit to the various VIP areas and the bivouac
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