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Rick Hatswell’s road to the Dakar rally

Chief Operating Officer for Craftsman Collision, Rick Hatswell has always had a passion for moto sport and off roading. The seed was planted to race in Dakar on his dirt bike when he was 11 years old. “Whoever thought that having a Dakar rally car toy would have led me on this amazing journey”, says Rick. Rick decided to turn his passion into a reality in 2007 when he started preparing for Dakar 2010. Unfortunately he did not complete the race and now has his eyes set on Dakar 2015.

The Dakar Series has become the way to go in preparing for Dakar. Rick is currently racing in one of three races in South America, the Desafío Ruta 40 from May 19-24, 2015 in Argentina. These races will be the scene of some world-class competition between the top South American racers.

Desafio Ruta 40 (Challenge Route 40), is more than a simple motor race. Like many Cross Country Rally competitions, Desafio Ruta 40 is an adventure that requires competitors to push their limits both physically and mentally and go beyond just speed to reach the finish line faster. Challenge Route 40 is an adventure in itself and a unique experience worth living. Competitors all share the same goal “to finish the race” after having crossed many kilometers and thousands of adventures.

A week of competition enables competitors to measure their strength/stamina and have a good idea of how they are positioned midseason before the Dakar Challenge in 2015. Dakar 2015 makes excursions from Argentina into Bolivia and Chile on a gruelling 9000 km route to Termas de Río Hondo and back to Buenos Aires.

Solidarity is an aspect of great importance in the race. By bringing amateur and professional riders into the same race it is expected that the latter assist and mentor those new to the sport. In this sense, solidarity is one of the key factors that make this event an ideal motorsports arena.

Special thanks to Rick’s sponsors: Craftsman Collision, BASF, White and Peters, and Lordco.

Visit our blog every day for an update on Rick’s progress in the Desafío Ruta 40…