Training to start once again for rally in Croatia

So I'm totally hooked on rallying. The racing is fast, technical, and sometimes terrifying. Throw in the navigation, friendships, the bikes, service trucks, etc, etc and its something truly special. The Rallye Dalmatia starts around April/May.

Transanatolia Rally

Took part in the Transanatolia Rally with Torque Racing and Memo Tours. Finished 13th and managed a personal best of 6th fastest in one of the last specials of the rally. The rally was a difficult and upsetting experience with both Kemal Merkit and Wouter Vaarkamp losing their lives in the early stages of day 3.

Had a hideous 1st day with no navigation equipment and running out of fuel 10km from the end of the 2nd special. Managed to make up a lot of ground during the other days constantly finishing in the top 9 only to find paper towel in my fuel tank on the last day!?! This made my last special very frustrating and the rest of the day rather slow and miserable. Later I watched helplessly as my team mate Donna crashed into an oncoming car during the last section. She needed stitches by the road side and broke her wrist.

The rally had amazing and varied riding with breathtaking scenery. I particularly enjoyed the technical sections and climbs.

My thoughts go out to the families and friends of Kemal and Wouter. Massive loss and genuinely upsetting.

Wouter Vaarkamp Ceremony

Wouter Vaarkamp sadly lost his life during the Transanatolia Rally.

His ceremony will be on the 17th of September. 

Homage to Kemal Merkit At Istanbul Park

Kemal Merkit lost his life in a tragic racing accident during the Transanatolia Rally.

A Desert Tiger Homage was held at Istanbul Park. Participants wore his Dakar racing number "55" on their breasts and motorcycles. His motorcycle and clothes were placed on the track prior to the races.

Turkey Motorcycle Federation President Ucar, and said that this was a sad and full of pride.

Dawn 2 Dusk 2012

John took his Honda 650 to Wales and did an awesome Job to finish 2nd in the big bike class. He was in 1st for a while but was just pipped at the end when he stalled the bike and wasted 10 minutes trying to kick it over.

It was hard to watch the racing and not take part, but the Transanatolia Rally was not far way and I didn't want to risk injury. I did though enjoy pitting for John and of course I met new and old friends.

KTM 525 XC Rally Bike

Found this on Ebay and decided it was a bargain! I can safely say it needed some attention! It was built for the Dakar that never happened. Hopefully it will fulfill its destiny. For now though it will give me an insight into the workings of such a highly modified machine, and what its like to ride a bike with some 30 litres of fuel on board.

Keeping up the training for Transanatolia Rally

The Transanatolia Rally starts on the 4th of September. Ive been keeping up the training since the Tuareg Rally with both running and riding in a bid to take my Bike to a good result in 4 months time.