Dakar Rally is Setting the Ground of Fire in Abu Dhabi, Where Motor Enthusiasts From All Over The World Have Come Against Each To Show Which Engine Can Roar More!
Accelerating the throttle is just what some souls need. Driving has been one of the most convenient ways of enjoying your day off. This hobby has not only fascinated many but also has given birth to some of the game-changing events like Racing, drifting, and motor rallies.
These competitions show the sheer power of engines and how this hobby can become a competitive apparatus. Not only do many people love this, but the participants are given a good and attractive prize to make it more appealing.
While there are many hopes tied with the reign of 2022, it had started with a bang, literally. From 9th to 14th January our favourite car rally, Dakar Car Rally is taking place. We all are here for engines, and that’s exactly what we are going to bless you with.
Dakar Rally is not only amongst the world’s largest motor rallies but amongst the most dangerous ones too. It takes place in the sandy terrains of Abu Dhabi. Previously known as the Paris-Dakar Rally, it becomes the home to some of the most vicious engines of the world.
Let’s take a look at what we are dealing with this year and some of the engines used in different categories of the show. Sit back and enjoy the bumpy ride!
Category: Motorbikes
Vehicle: Hero 450 RR Rally
While other bikes like KTM 450 Rally, Yamaha 450, and Honda CRF450 were seen fuming in the deserts of Abu Dhabi, Hero 450RR took the cherry on top. Motorbikes compete in the dunes and high sandy terrains of the region.
Acceleration and balancing are the two most important aspects that one has to master. With the 450CC limit on the clock, different motorcycle brands modify the rally bikes according to their taste and requirements. This 450CC limit is set so that no partiality in terms of the engine’s power and speed should be reported.
The 52mm front suspension with 300mm of travel and rear travel of 320mm provides the bike with adequate ground clearance to climb a mountain.
Talking about the bike itself, it is much of a re-built version of the Speedbrain 450 Rally. Since Dakar is quite a terrain, the needed suspension must be at par. The 52mm front suspension with 300mm of travel and rear travel of 320mm provides the bike with adequate ground clearance to climb a mountain. It is powered by a 449.5CC DOHC oil and liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine with a hydraulic clutch and six-speed gearbox.
The exhaust made from Akrapovic titanium sheds the required weight off the bike and makes it track-ready. Currently, Joaquim Rodrigues tops the list with this rally bike after 3 stages.
Category: Cars
Vehicle: Audi RS Q E-Tron
When it comes to sand rallies, Toyotas have been one of the most obvious choices because of their overhauling and reliable engines. While Toyota GR DKR Hilux is still doing pretty good, it’s still not on the top. The top position is grabbed by someone unexpected, the RS Q E-Tron, Team Audi Sports.
Dakar Rally took full advantage of the season of electric vehicles as this Audi RS is also an electric one. The Bahrain Raid Xtreme also choose an e-vehicle for less fuel consumption. Talking about the car itself, it’s purely a beast. Don’t let that electricity fool you, it could be as powerful as the conventional petrol and diesel ones.
Acing the terrain with that hybrid 2.0 inline-four 50Kwh battery and a turbocharged V8, Audi’s gem is said to glam up one of the most difficult rallies in the world.
With 670 Horsepower on board, it can easily climb any terrain you throw at it. Acing the terrain with that hybrid 2.0 inline-four 50Kwh battery and a turbocharged V8, Audi’s gem is said to glam up one of the most difficult rallies in the world.
The RPM can easily reach in the region of 4000-6500 in a blink as the turbocharged engine charges the battery simultaneously which makes sure that lack of power is never an option. Currently driven by Carlos Sainz and Co-driven by Lucas Cruz, Team Audi Sports top the charts after 3 stages of the rally.
Category: Quad/All-Terrain-Vehicles (ATVs)
Vehicle: Yamaha Raptor 700R
Since Dakar Rally is an All-Terrain rally, how can we forget about the All-Terrain-Vehicles? ATVs are the new generation’s fusion of motorcycles and cars. With those four wheels on, and that hand accelerator on the handle, you can take full advantage of the assorted sentiments.
All-Terrain-Vehicles, as the name suggests, is meant for anything that you might throw at them. High hills, deep valleys, and rocky roads are nothing in front of the read and front traction that they provide. Their wheelbases are generally wide but short in length.
Raptor 700R is the beastly ATV named after a dinosaur. Well, it isn’t one but roars louder than one.
Raptor 700R is the beastly ATV named after a dinosaur. Well, it isn’t one but roars louder than one. With a 686CC SOHC liquid-cooled 4-stroke engine and wet multi-plate clutch, it is bound to fly through anything.
Yamaha has built all of this package on an advanced stell-aluminium hybrid chassis and all of the front suspension has been made ultra-lightweight which makes this the lightest ATV in its class. Currently, it is driven by Pablo Copetti who has made it to the top after the third stage.
Category: SSV/ Utility Task Vehicle (UTV)
Vehicle: Can-am Maverick XRS
Off-roading is the main area of expertise of Dakar rally as there is no road in between huge sand dunes in the first place. Maverick XRS falls in the category of SSV or Side-By-Side Vehicles which are meant to be off-road. If modified accordingly, they can turn into real beasts.
Can-am Maverick’s XRS is the perfectly modified SSV that is going crazy in Dakar. With all the metal clasp and open body, it looks as if it’s angry at you. As little as it seems, it packs around 131 BHP with the 976CC Rotax Turbocharged V-Twin engine. The air filters are also modified here according to the required, that would be the reason for the loud sound it makes.
As little as it seems, it packs around 131 BHP with the 976CC Rotax Turbocharged V-Twin engine.
Talking about some off-roading features, it has Tri-Dynamic Power steering which can handle this vehicle even at the worst ups and downs, although it comes with 14-inch bead-lock wheels, they have been modified, keeping sand dunes in mind. Currently, Can-am Maverick XRS is driven by Michal Goczal and Co-driven by Szymon Gospodarczyk and tops the list after the 4th Stage.
