Zero to Sixty: A Dakar Adventure
By: David Mills
Paperback or eBook, 183 pages
Publisher (Self Published): Trailblazer Guides
February 2014
Dimensions (inches): 6 x 9 inches
ISBN: 9781483408446
Cost: $14.99+$3.99 S/H paper; $8.99 eBook
I was aware of the Dakar Rally, or what was originally known as the “Paris to Dakar” Rally, but I really knew very little about it.
I did know that it was a grueling off-road race in which cars, motorcycles, trucks (and now quads) competed.
Originally run from Paris, France to Dakar, Senegal, it was moved to South America in 2009 after the 2008 rally was canceled at, literally, the last moment due to security threats in Mauritania.
I didn’t have cable TV until a few years ago (really), so I was never able to catch any coverage of the event.
But there was one time while I was on vacation about 10 years or so ago and while channel surfing, I happened across coverage of the Paris to Dakar Rally and was captivated with the whole idea of such an event.
In January of 2009, while browsing the ADV Rider website there was “talk” about a privateer rider, Jonah Street, competing and that the even would be covered on TV. Cool!
I found the channel and although I missed the first few days of competition, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the event, even though they only devoted a miserly hour to the race. After that first time, my wife and I have been hooked watching the Dakar Rally and we look forward to it each New Year’s Day, which is when the Rally begins.
I just wish they would provide more coverage and more time. I guess since it’s not a NASCAR race, that will never happen here in the U.S.A.
Zero to Sixty: A Dakar Adventure
Have you ever wondered what it takes to provide support for a Dakar Rally race team? Well, David Mills happened to talk his way onto the Chilean Motorcycle Dakar support team and has written about his experiences in his new 2014 self-published book “Zero to Sixty: A Dakar Adventure”.
Now if you were to simply look at the cover and title, you may be lead to believe that he actually rides the Dakar, but that’s not the case so don’t expect that perspective. But the book is a very interesting and informative look into how the 2012 Dakar was organized; some of the rules; how the big support teams leap-frog from bivouac to bivouac and just how much is needed to put on such a huge event.
In all, the 2012 race covered 5,219.5 miles (8,400 km) and traveled through three South American countries. Just getting 465 race vehicles plus their support teams across the multiple border crossings must have been (and is) a nightmare.
David’s book “Zero to Sixty: A Dakar Adventure” is a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on behind the scene for the support teams — the pressures, the exhaustion and the team work, just to mention a few. To reveal more about the book would simply give too much away.
Conclusion
I found the book to be very well written, informative and enjoyable to read. David’s humility is refreshing and amusing (especially about his skills with a screwdriver) and his “jabs” at the organizers and others is comical. At only 183 pages it’s an easy read and, if you have any interest in the current Dakar, time well spent.
Review Date: April 2014
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