The eagle-eyed amongst you would have spotted we’re not in Saudi Arabia, lining up for Dakar ’22. Things were looking grand until October – entries accepted, Mick Extance Dakar Academy plans in place, training camps booked – but then the organisers told us we couldn’t enter the Malle Moto class (or Original by Motul, as it’s now known) which left us hanging by the goolies. That meant finding a support crew or team, and a ton of money, within a few weeks.
In truth, we were struggling for funds anyway, but conjuring the additional £40,000 from our bum holes was the deciding factor. And, to make matters worse, Mick Extance was told he could no longer compete at the Dakar, which obviously crushed him. The organisers said Mick’s tumour rendered him unfit to race, despite an independent medical report suggesting otherwise.
Plenty of people told us that getting to the start line of the Dakar rally is a big enough challenge in itself. We knew this Dakar project was really going to test us, but it’s been even more difficult than we could have ever imagined.
We’ve worked with some really good people who’ve helped us massively with everything we need to do to prep for this event, but there’s been so many unknowns, and unexpected hurdles along the way, that it’s been almost impossible for us to make a plan and stick to it. Not least of all because the goalposts have been moved so many times.
We’ve already put a ridiculous amount of our own money, as well as other peoples, into this project, so we’re determined to make it happen. We will make it happen. And whilst there’s every chance we’ll come across some more unexpected hurdles, or ridiculously expensive hoops to jump through, along the way, we’ve got a better idea of how things work now, so we’ll be better equipped to deal with them.
With hindsight, our plans to compete in the 2022 Dakar might have been a bit ambitious. But delaying things by 12 months maybe isn’t a bad thing, all things considered. It’ll give us more time to raise the funds we need, prep the bikes, and get ourselves ready physically. Another year of learning can’t be a bad thing.
Thank you to everyone who has donated. We’ll be back for another bash in 2023…
Al + Boothy x
10 responses
Gutted for you and especially Mick.
hi Chaps
Is there a list of equipment parts you need, if you did maybe we could buy stuff for you?
Keep going though, you guys do great work.
Carlos x
Thanks Carlos. We’re going to have a team meeting and formulate a plan x
Was really hoping to see the 44Teeth team on the starting line. I suppose now I will root for Sunderland and the Welsh dude. Want to enter myself and was saving up and doing all the training – but now locked down again in Hong Kong. Bikes rotting in garages in South Africa and U.K. and I am as pissed of as you perhaps. Baja 1000 in 2020 was cancelled as were the qualifying races and my annual blast around Kalahari, Karoo and Namib . Was thinking of Africa Eco race on a rallied up XT500 . It does finish in Dakar not Jeddah and is cheaper and perhaps more genuine. Maybe that might be option? Or the Dakar might introduce a classic bike category and do a budget bike Dakar on a Cagiva or something ????
I did notice that you hadn’t made it, and was gutted for you both but did sort of understand why.
But then you looked at last year when riders of the calibre of knighter having to crowd fund to get to the start line, it’s cripplingly expensive to get there.
Really hope you make it for next year.
Have you thought about the africa eco race? Still a massive challenge and from the little I know much more in the spirit of the original Dakar.
Have you thought about approaching Lyndonn Poskitt for next year? He seems to be ready to rock and roll with all the bikes and gear, not to mention the experience and mentoring for the malle moto class.
I’m sure the wallet would feel it… but it could just be a case of just paying for the ride and not worrying about purchasing bikes, parts etc.
Good luck fellas, let us know how we can help.
Max
was gutted not to see you guys there probably not as gutted as you guys hope you make it next year
Absolutely gutted for you guys this year ! come back stronger next year ! can’t even imagine what its like trying to get into the Dakar, bet theres a few back handers that go around for the big teams with massive budgets !
Hope to see you there next year !
Out of curiosity, why were you not allowed in the Malle Moto class?