It’s finally here. The 2021 edition of the Dakar Rally is currently underway in Saudi Arabia. Cars, bikes and trucks started Sunday morning in the town of Jeddah. Competitors began arriving over the last week and there a few Americans we need to keep an eye on.
Ricky Brabec is back to defend his 2020 victory for Honda. Brabec has already come out of the gate swinging with a top finish in the Prologue event.
Kristen and Wayne Matlock are on the ground at Dakar competing in customized identical Polaris RZR Pro XP’s. The Matlocks are entered in the Dakar Rally SSV class. This is the first factory effort for Polaris.
Seth Quintero, Blade Hildebrand and Mitch Guthrie are also at the Dakar Rally driving for the Red Bull Off Road Junior Team.
The Rally will last 12 stages over 4,751 miles of some of the roughest Saudi Arabian terrain. Stay tuned to Dirt Sports World for Rally updates.
Photos: Courtesy of A.S.O
& Red Bull Content Pool