Dakar Rally

[Catherine]

My nephew David Reeve from Mazabuka Zambia is racing in the Dakar Rally starting today riding a motor bike. He is a farmer from Mazabuka and has raised enough money with sponsorship for him to race this year. His father, who was a very strong motorcross, enduro rider died four years ago from cancer and David wanted to do this for his dad. My sister has three children, Sherrylyn, Shaun and David. But it is David who has been more competitive so when the opportunity came for him to do the Dacar he took it.

His number is 102
I am frightened to death that he will have an accident but you cant stop them doing it.
I also have a best friend who's son is working on the backup crew he is working for the two top people who are driving the cars (Alatyah Nassar and Carlos Seinz)

I have never followed the Dacar but from today I am glued.

[Westi]

Good Luck to David - it's not always favourites in this particular event!

Westi

[Catherine]

Thank you Westi just watching it at the moment so stressful but good. 69th overall at the moment.

[pongeroon]

Wow Catherine, that is wonderful! I love following the Dakar coverage, and have for years, especially the motorbikes. The fitness and stamina of the competitors is hugely impressive, let alone riding skills, navigation and everything else involved. Respect!!!

Fingers and everything else crossed for him, its a big big achievement just to compete. You must be very proud

[Catherine]

Thanks Pongeroon. He has worked very hard to get there. He has won a lot of Enduro competitions in Zambia, South Africa and others so he should be prepared. I am very proud of him and his dad would have burst with pride to know he was doing this as he was also a very good motorbike rider. Un fortunately he died of cancer three years ago. But I am sure he is looking down on him now. There is a long way to go so I hope things still go well.

[pongeroon]

An exciting stage today, Catherine, all that sand

It tickled me seeing the aerial shots of two cars racing in opposite directions, ooops

Have just read David's notes on the Dakar website, he's right when he says he needs to concentrate on not getting lost, rather than winning...

[Arnie]

Hi

Is there a link that I can go to

Regards

Arnie

[Catherine]

www.dakar.com on Google and then choose where you want to go. David is 53 overall at the moment.

I am amazed at the photos. The size of the dunes they come over the top of and have no idea how far the drop off is. Terrifying really.

It is shown on Eurosport but there doesnt seem to be a set time for it so you just need to scroll through the pages. I have linked it on series link but we almost missed one so I am going through each day and making sure I dont miss one single day. (Ramble ramble)

[Arnie]

Hi Catherine,

Thanks for the link I've just had a quick look at the competing cars/trucks and thought that looks fun then I watched the bikes and that for me is a serous test of man and machine and only have total respect for those who choose to compete

Regards

Arnie

[pongeroon]

Fabulous landscapes on the TV coverage

[Catherine]

Just watching a recording of the live coverage today. What about the 2 km dune SLIDE what is all that about. I get worried mountain biking on a steep rocky road.

I wish they would interview more bikes and show more people in the lower places not just the top 5!!!!

[pongeroon]

I agree Catherine, and would like to see more of the people who are doing it on a comparative shoe-string, doing their own mechanicking and sleeping in a tent.