"What's the difference between a Dakar participation with a motorcycle or a car?" I asked Dirk recently. Its gist Answer: With a motorcycle to get in doubt "everywhere by" and can compensate for weaknesses through small navigation driving skills. With a car is a very fast in many places, especially in the desert limits where you can turn around a navigation error only. can on the bike course you have to ride very well and navigate simultaneously.

Dirk has been in the Dakar Rally three times with the bike and twice participated as a navigator in the car, so it should know what he's talking about.

In particular dunes are difficult for less experienced teams. For a successful participation in the perfect combination of driver, navigator and technology is crucial. In all the four points Volkswagen teams are well prepared. All teams have a lot of desert and experience in the technology have been several million euros invested. For Volkswagen Dirk is clearly the favorites in 2005 with the Dakar. Of course there are other good teams. For example, Jean-Louis Schlesser (start number 300) could well be a surprise with his back for a stroller.

Overall the demand on the team in the Dakar 2004 has been significantly increased. Tickets are not allowed (only> = 1:500.000) and there are fewer GPS support.

According to Dirks assessment will take place in the first 5 days, the strongest selection. Here, many teams will have to give up. Until the rest day in Atar (9 January) could already two-thirds of the competing teams no longer in the race. "The first time exciting," it says on 4 January is when it is "out of Morocco is the first time." But until then, there are a few more days ...

Addendum: Quite interesting to Them navigation is also here, to read this article .

• Costs of participation in the Dakar Rally
• Central Europe Rally
• Miller / Zitzewitz
• Preparation of the teams
• Before the Dakar ...