Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126626
(Top) Bikes were gathered each night as the rally ran in stages. Racing was done in 300-400 mile sections much like special tests. (Above left) Water and shade - not to mention other things a welcome sight. (Above right) Auriol chats with another competitor. were 18 should try . He or she will see some of the earth's most magnificent landscapes, unbelievable deserts. that contrary to the ones we have here in the southwest. are completely arid with miles and miles of sand dunes...or rocks with black mountains and blue skies to give a moon aspect. But once in a while, there is an oasis with palm trees, dates, and fresh water. Even if you are not supposed to drink water in foreign countries, the water you will find there is probably the best there is - hundreds of people and animals live because of it. The African bushland is hard on the bikes and terribly tiresome for the riders. The trails are mostly very choppy with blocks of rocks and wash es thatare " ibl e " "n"eKOfiafe" " terr to fast . Sure, there is the same thing here. but after 15 days of racing in that kind of terrain. very few machines and men manage to do well in the last stages. At least the last stage before reaching Dakar is a GO-mile dash on the beach between St. Louis and Dakar. It is a good way of finishing that long race. The Paris to Dakar Rally is mostly a French affair, but European countries are also well represented with riders from Belgium, Holland, Switzerland and Italy. The latter gave us the opportunity to see the MOlO Morini V-twin Camel in act ion even if none were a t Dakar. it was a very nice effort, KTM and Can-Am were represented and finished the rall y, giving Hie""European factories not only the win but a good show in the top 20. BMW is very satisfied with the win which went to one of the best men in the rally. Hubert Auriol. Auriol wants to show his skills in the next Baja 1000, and he wants to win that race. Honda and Yamaha, through their French importers. will keep on racing in the Paris/Dakar because of the fantastic media coverage it has in Europe. Coverage ranges from live radio programs to television broadcasts every day , not counting the daily and specialized press which reserved pages, if not complete magazines, to the . ven t. BMW is not involved much in motorcycle racing and a win in the Paris/Dakar is a great boost in Europe for the German factory. The other big German manufacturer, Mercedes. won the car division with former Belgian trials champion Jacky Ickx . Is American participation possible in this race? It would be welcomed. even if the rewards for a manufacturer here are extremely limited, the personal experience that any enduro or desert rider would have by participating in this race would be unforgettable. • Results OVERAll: 1. Hubert Auriol (BMW 9801; 2. Potrick Orobocq IHon 800XRI; 3. MorcJoinoou (Suz ORI; 4 . Olivior Kirkpatrick (Yom XT600I; 5. Sorgo Bocou (Yom XT600I; 6. Jeen Cloude Oli.ior (Yom XT600I; 7. Aloin Spiro (Hon XR); B. Anne Kiea (Yom XT); 9. Goorge. Fenouil (BMW 980); 10. Cyril Ne.eu (Hon XRI. FIRSTWOMAN; Morie Erteud (Yem XT5500. 15 overen.