From The Desert Dunes Of UAE To The Dakar Rally 2013
Sebastian Husseini, the Quad Cross-Country World Champion, Gears Up on all Fours for the Ultimate Rally Race known to man
Born and bred in Dubai, and having grown up amidst the desert sands of the UAE, Sebastian Husseini has been dreaming of the Dakar ever since he was a little boy and riding quads, well before his memory serves him. Husseini has been served now with his lifelong aspiration as everything lined up perfectly this year, for the 2007 quad cross-country world champion to give it a go at the toughest of all rallies which will take place from 5th to 20th January 2013.
The Dakar Rally 2013 is the 35th edition of the infamous adventure that first began in 1977 with the original Paris-Dakar route. Igniting its engines from the Pacific coast in Lima for the first time in history, it will follow the north-south direction which has not been used since it first arrived in South America in 2009.
The dunes of Peru, the deserts of Chile and after crossing the Andes, the gruelling topography of Argentina will test the contenders’ stamina to the very limits of endurance, before they get their first opportunity to catch some rest, eight days into the race. After this, the longest stage in the race will determine which of the starters might have a realistic chance at achieving the glorious victory of finishing in Santiago on 20th January, 2013.
When asked for his thoughts on the challenge that lay ahead, Sebastian said, “I’ve been practicing hard – 400kms a day- and picking up as much knowledge and experience as I can. The good thing is that I got used to the heat while training during the UAE summer. My country is 80% sand with the biggest dunes in the world so I’m not too worried”; “My main concern is the overall length, the mental torture. I know there are days when you want to quit but you have to push yourself to carry on. I’m hoping to finish in a top position” he added.
A three-time winner of the “UAE Desert Challenge” and having bagged victories in numerous motocross events in the UAE, Sebastian knows that regular training in deserts of UAE along with physical and mental preparedness alone is not adequate to help him achieve his podium finish. That is precisely why he will be participating with a top team from the Netherlands – the Maxxis Super-B GoKobra/SebSports Dakar team.
The team comprises former MotoGP rider, Jurgen Van der Goorbergh and European Touring Car Champion, Tim Coronel on Hayabusa engined buggies, alongside Kees Koolen and Sebastian Husseini on Honda TRX 700 quads, chosen for their reliability and independent suspension.
The quads have been upgraded with larger, custom-built fuel tanks to cover 300km without refuelling, specially made Maxxis tyres reinforced with Kevlar, navigation equipment such as GPS and engine modifications to increase performance, reliability, speed and overall chances of a top spot finish.
Sebastian, an ardent aficionado of the sport and top rider of the Sebsports team, has been described by many to be fit, consistent and cool, and currently at his peak. However, he considers this to be the toughest race there is and is intimidated yet invigorated by this exhilarating opportunity to be part of this truly legendary, cross-country adventure.
Emirate: Dubai
Date: Dec 11, 2012
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