Dakar 2017 - mega participants
The creator of the Dakar Rally was a French rider Thierry Sabine. Apparently, when in 1977, lost in the desert during the rally Abidjan - Nice thought it was a great challenge for fans of driving in extreme conditions. Implementation of the idea took him a little over a year and the first Paris-Dakar rally started December 26, 1978 year.
This year's rally has started exactly on Jan. 2 and will last until January 14. 39 - editing rally held by the three South American countries: Paraguay, Bolivia and ending in Argentina. In total, players defeat about 9,000 km. With the ramps set at the presidential palace in Asuncion the capital of Paraguay rolled off 318 vehicles, including 144 motorbikes, 37 quads, 87 cars and 50 trucks. Dakar rally is the most dangerous terrain in the world. According to the organizers it will be the hardest edition of the rally.
Philippe Croizon is 44 years old from France, who takes part in this year's edition. In 1994, as a result of electric shock, he lost both legs and hands. Under the influence of a TV program about the French long-distance swimmer he began training. He swam a few hours a day, mostly in the sea, and with the assistance of the French maritime police. After some time, he has set itself the goal of crossing the English Channel, which he did in 2010, at the age of 42. He covered a distance of 34 km in less than 14 hours. This was possible after attaching special prostheses. Participation in the Dakar is his childhood dream and thanks to the technology turned out to be possible. Special joysticks combined with hydraulic actuators. Thanks to the player on the gas and brakes the left limb, and right turns. If Croizon overcome more than 9000 km, of which goes high in the mountains, part of the dunes, or other challenging terrain, it will show the world what means motto "nothing is impossible".
Noteworthy is also Albert Llovera Andorran rally driver and former alpine skier. He participated in the Olympic Games in 1984 (Sarajevo) at the age of 17 years. In 1985 he had a serious accident, after which it is paralyzed from the waist down. After the incident, he began to compete in races, first quads, then cars. Llovera more than 30 years fighting with his weaknesses, disability and even turned into an asset. Many in his place would have collapsed. However, he found a new a new passion - car rallies. Life shows how it can be unpredictable and therefore the worst thing we can do is give up. After years of persistent struggle, in 2007, he made his debut in the Dakar Rally, being a part of Team Isuzu. Then, like seven years later, said goodbye to the competition on the penultimate stage. It was not until the third attempt was successful. In 2015, as the term has passed 35. In the last edition he repeated his feat.
"I'm too ambitious to go. There is always time to do more. For many years I fought for it to have such a life as it is now "- Albert Llovera
We can not forget about the Poles in Dakar. 10. Poles dreamed of getting to the finish line in Buenos Aires and completion 39. edition of the toughest rally in the world.
Jakub Przygoński, one of the most experienced, his adventure began in 2009 and it continues to this day. Achievements to 6th place jednośladzie or 15 position in his debut drive in last year's Dakar.
Rafal Sonik, our winner of the Dakar on a quad, this edition is for him 9 performance in the rally.
Darek Rodewald, silent hero Dakar Polish mechanic. Rodewald of the Iveco team up twice stood on the highest step of the podium in South America and was once the second.
Motorcyclists: Adam Tomiczek, Kuba Piątek, Paweł Stasiaczek, Maciej Berdysz
Sebastian Rozwadowski as a pilot Litwiński driver Benediktas Vanagas
Kamil Wisniewski - quad
Michał Wrzos - mechanic trucks