Women will compete in The Dakar Rally 43rd edition in Saudi Arabia starting January 3rd to 15th across 11 Stages. The route will cross new terrain from Dakar’s 2020 race with Women represented in categories: Bike, Car and SSV.
Laia Sanz continues an amazing legacy racing, finishing 10 consecutive Dakar’s and earning the Spaniard ‘Legend’ status. Carrying #44 in Dakar Rally 2021, her first race number back in 2011, Laia’s Gas Gas backed entry will exceed her own expectations having finished 18th in Bike Category, and 1st Women Overall in 2020.
Sara Garcia will race what is described as ‘a class that requires being from another world’, ‘Unassisted’ category in Dakar Rally 2021. Making history as first female to finish the category in 2020, Sara will embark on racing Dakar unaided, with bonus of additional experience gained from making it to the finish in Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
South Africa’s Taye Perry sent all Media journo’s in a whirl after the ultra gutsy female managed to haul herself and bike to the end of day’s Stage 11 after mechanical issue in Dakar Rally 2020. For 2021 Dakar, Taye will partner as co-driver with Brian Baragwanath in their Century CR6 car with performance on gaining top 10 results, and possibly Stage win uppermost goal for the duo.
Only father and daughter pair of Manolo Plaza– driver and Monica Plaza co-driver raced 2020 Dakar Rally in Car category to again experience amazing sense of shared passion competing in same category for Dakar 2021. At 25 years of age, Monica draws inspiration to race Dakar with her Dad, from many hours of watching him race Rally’s and Dakar’s over the course of 13 years. Monica, an accomplished competitor in Rally’s honor’s the father-daughter pair of crossing Dakar Rally 2020 finish together as an ‘incredible moment’.
In SSV category ‘Legend’ Dakar Rally driver Camelia Liparoti will team with Annett Fischer for 2nd year in a row. Out to complete unfinished business, as mechanical issue forced ‘Wildcard’ re-entry to cross finish earlier this year, both competitors will put seasoned experience to test ramping up potential performance for improved results.
America’s Factory Polaris RZR Team will have 3 driver’s entered for Dakar Rally 2021. A first for Kristen Matlock who has over 10 plus years racing ATV’s and SSV Rally’s along-side her husband Wayne Matlock and 3rd driver Craig Scanlon. Kristen will have co-driver Max Eddy Jr along-side for navigation, all the while drawing momentum from recently completing Baja 500 at home in USA. A welcome entry for Dakar Rally 2021.
Up-dates on rider/driver Previews to follow.
Dakar Rally January 3rd to 15th in Saudi Arabia.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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