Living the Dos Sertoes Dream: Racing 4,500km across Brazil

[BlueBull2007]

Finally it’s my turn to meet Mr. Ferretti this time with four other serious-looking officials helping him and I am suddenly glad I took the time chatting with him beforehand. He could see my nervousness and was quite encouraging. I am nevertheless caught out on the sentinel, because it was not yet attached to the bike. He tells me not to worry I just have to get it checked later and come back with the signed off documentation. I can continue with scrutinizing.  


Ferretti clearly seems intrigued in this fancy-looking bike.


Probably he was looking at the ADV Rider- Ride the World and Wild dog stickers.


On the other side are my sponsor’s names, as promised!! THANKS GUYS, you are awesome! All are proud Wild Dogs

MX1 West is an ADV Rider inmate and runs a great accessories outlet in San Francisco, specialising in Acerbis gear. Check it out, it likely cheaper (with shipping) than in South Africa: WWW.MX1west.com


They do all the normal checks as for all the bikes: Tail lights, brake lights, headlight (thank the Lord my battery was still charged up), chain guards, bark busters etc – All the basic safety items. Phil & Dave had to swap out some kit, for example, the bobble on the end of Phils clutch lever is still lying somewhere in Nevada.

In my case, my bike goes through a much more thorough and detailed examination because my entry is firstly in the WCCC, and secondly in the production category. This means that I cannot change the engine, forks, exhaust, triple clamps or shocks during the rally. Just as well, because I only have one set of all those, and anyway, unlike Marc Coma I don’t have a guy with a mustache to hide spare wheels and other equipment in the desert for me.   (You'll only understand what I mean if you know the story surrounding Mark Coma's penalty in the Dakar this year.)

They also check other things that the Brazilian championship guys don’t need like additional rear lights and 3l of drinking water capacity mounted safely on the bike.




They also check the sound output on the bikes running at high rpms, with me knuiping big-time that everything holds together, that the bike actually starts and everything works out fine. You can see them standing some regulation distance away and measuring the noise, it has to be below 85dBA. I pass, Ferretti nods, apparently very satisfied, and they move onto the next step which is marking of the bike.


Randall & I take a tank off, and out comes the paint and they start painting little green squares on all the irreplaceable parts, the engine, the frame, the forks, the triple clamps, and exhaust. I will be able to do the valves or clutch if I have to, thats it basically. Most top competitors race in the Super Production category, which allows them to burn engines out. I like to use the excuse that Im a purist that believes that real rally riders only need one engine to get them to the finish rather than admit I cannot afford a new engine every 3-4 days.




They also write my race number with a special pencil into the wet paint. This will all be checked in during and at the end of the rally. It’s fascinating to watch.


There’s 10 places on the bike where they paint green squares, in this photo there are seven; can you spot them all?



After this I am released, pending only the sentinel install, they are happy with my bike. I am over the moon. It’s taken 3 hours but now the bike is in the race.


Now I need to get it working properly, so I rush it over to the Uruguayan angels to sort out and take a couple of hours to walk around the bivouac and see what everyone else is up to.

Its…well its busy. And there is lots and lots of bike porn. It is amazing to see.




Marieta Moraes, a lady competitor also riding a Yamaha WR450, she has done this rally (I think) 8 times.


These rentals are going on the “Sertoes Series” rally, which is the 1st four stages of the Official rally. It’s a great option for DS riders who want to get a feel for real rally at a lower cost.





By far the most impressive setup was Coma & Casteau’s support area. Totally outsourced to local logistics company “Off Rush”. The company offered me a package for accommodations, food and transport for only $15,000.00 excluding maintenance. Needless to say it’s a little above my pay grade.


…David Casteu’s famous French Sherco. Watch this bike on the Dakar in January. In the background you can see two Off Rush rental KTM’s to be raced by more shit-hot international pilots and also a light lunch of fresh salmon sandwiches and salad for our heroes. Lucky bastards!


Even the smaller guys seemed to be better setup than we were.

There were a lot of large trucks and converted coaches used as support vehicles. Most were pretty impressive.






Others were more functional. You could see years of experience in some of the setups. Totally independent.






These beasts cast fear into any biker running in a special stage.


Another group of Brazilian competitors.


A card game before the storm.


 
These Polish guys are awesome and very serious, their lead rider Kuba Przygonski, a serious contender for the world championship, turns out to be a very nice guy who offers me a lot of support and advice.

 
Their support truck is the Mother of all trucks that won one of the Dakar’s a few years ago. More on this later.



Then there’s us. A Fiat Doblo   and


Model 1973 VW Kombi for support vehicles!  


Complete with a superhero in the support team



Yet somehow, our classy support vehicles attracted a lot of the local talent,





Admirers of Dave’s KTM 525 while helicopters buzzed overhead, note the green decal denoting Brazilian Championship.



At least the Uruguay team had a Sprinter, trailer,


And a little bike to get around the bivouac.  


Laurent’s 690, a true work of art.


Mauro Almedia’s quad. No, wait that’s not a quad, that’s a freaking monster!  


By late afternoon, the Uruguayans have not yet opened my bike up but as soon as I open my mouth to say anything they’re waving their arms and saying “No problemo, no problemo!”  Ok then, I shrug. It’s time for me to take my bike to get cleared for the Sentinel. It tests fine and I am formally passed.

This time I get to see a lot more bikes than in the morning.

David Casteau with his team. I get the opportunity to have closer look at this beauty.






No.05 Luiz Octavio’s KTM 530, the white sticker is for WCCC over 450cc class bikes.


Little do we know this was to become a Did Not Finish (DNF).    


Ike Klauman’s Yamaha WR 450 also to become a DNF.    




The Uruguayans are passing through scrutinizing with flying colours.




Leandro Pires is a guy I would get to see many times in the field on his Honda 450.


The trucks are passing through as well, its bit of a rush as Scrutinizing closes at 6 pm, with no further vehicles permitted.








Inside the cab of the Ford truck.

It’s serious eye candy. You should hear the sound of the trucks and cars when they rev up their engines, it’s magnificent.

We are all in better spirits and enjoy another evening at a restaurant eating great food before turning in early. Lots of meat, perfect for us South Africans, but overwhelming for our US friends, who are not used to eating so much meat. We think it’s quite amusing.

Tomorrow is the big day! Whether my bike will be ready or not is a question that will be answered in one way or another.

[Aquatic]

Awesomeness!!!

[letsgofishing]

GREAT stuff BB - can't wait for the rest!

[Diesel & Dust]

Please post more - I can't wait !!!!!

[CorCorlia]

AWESOME!!!! 

[Hentie @ Riders]

Awesome          

[Would I?]

  next please....

[BlueBull2007]

Prologue – The Super Prime

For those of you new to rally, in order to determine the race start order for the Sertões International rally a Prologue is carried out before the beginning of the competition, on a closed track. The competitors start the race by two’s and timing is considered from lowest to the highest.

The race start order each day is determined by the qualifying position on the previous day. In other words, the winner of the previous special test gets to make headway, and not the one with the accumulated results. Start order is also in by the following categories: Bikes & Quads WCCC, Bikes & Quads Brazilian Championship, Cars, and lastly Trucks in the same categories. So the last placed WCCC rider will always start ahead of the 1st Brazilian Championship rider.


Pic: Webventure.com.br






Sorry, I forgot to post these pictures earlier

I wake up early as usual and strangely enough the first thing I think of is whether my bike will be sorted out today. I chuckle at the irony. I’ve already given up on the idea of testing the bike on some dirt road outside Goiania. I face the fact that it’s simply too late, any crash now would be a ridiculous disaster. I’m just going to have to learn the bike on the prologue circuit tonight at seven.

All our team riders, including me, are in a ratty mood. We all just want to ride now. This preparation has been going on for too long, our budget is totally screwed, our credit cards are all maxed out, and there has still not been enough time to complete all the preparations, particularly in my case. Worse, none of us are able to draw cash in the stupid banks. The support guys Des, DD & Randall joke that all they say to us these days is “Okay, okay, okay,” because it seems to satisfy us no matter what we say or what they do. It’s true, and it’s actually very funny. The three of us have become like petulant children and to some extent it is justified given how much we have committed –Well, not really- but that doesn’t stop us anyway.

A couple days ago, Randall and I took the Yamaha to bits and got a 180 main jet and 145 pilot jet installed for the fuel problem in Brazil, moving the needle up two notches as well. But putting the bike together again was a PITA. The pipe from the special air box mounted between the front tanks would not go over the carburetor and there was no way to get fingers in to get it on. Eventually we thought we had it right and the bike reassembled. I took it for a spin but it started bogging about 25 minutes into the ride, before I got to any dirt so I came back. Des told me to relax and took the bike to the Uruguayans to adjust again. The battery had also run flat during scrutiny, so it went over to the Uruguayans camp to have them work on it. Despite all the assurances I am still very tense. I don’t know if my bike is even going to get around the super prime track and that is later today. I can’t do anything about it. Des (rightly) won’t let me near the bike because I need to rest while I still can.
 
The support team is also feeling a little put out, because they were severely limited in what they could buy yesterday. There were still so many unknowns, what food to get, how much water, do we have enough mattresses etc. After we all had agreed on the shopping list, Dave went with the support guys taking his credit card to buy boxes, coolers, chairs, table etc. other  needed bits and pieces. There was apparently some disagreement as to what should be and would be bought. As a result they spent several hours doing circles in the Walmart loading the trolleys with essential items while Dave, desperately trying to conserve cash on behalf of the riders, moved in behind them offloaded the same items. Somehow they got out of this vicious circle, and returned to the hotel to finish the home-made roof racks for the Fiat Doblo. All 18 tyres had to go on the roof rack, along with the back seat of the Kombi to make way for all the gear going inside. Space was a premium, and the support guys made full use of the last few days to do a great job of packing and repacking so they could get everything in these two ridiculously small vehicles.

Before you ask why didn’t we go for something better: We had a budget to stick to, and anyway we learnt that in Brazil it is impossible to hire a commercial vehicle without a driver. Having an unknown person registered on the team was simply not an option.

Somehow, as a team we collectively pull together and made an effort not to let personal frustrations get the better of any of us. I think we are doing pretty well under the circumstances, we’re all hopeful that once the rally starts things will relax a bit. At least the support guys have been incredibly helpful and bundles of joy and laughter; it lightens the riders dark moods a little.


We go to the riders briefing at 11am, and are handed our road books for the first stage. Splendid! Pic: Webventure.com.br

The English speaking competitors put on headphones and listen to the translator. We are introduced formally to all the officials. After the route is briefly discussed and described as a shakedown ride by the clerk of the course, the race doctor stands up and delivers a great safety talk. He touches on the benefits of bringing one’s own headache and anti-inflammatory tablets. The medical station is for serious emergencies, and is not a pharmacy. He emphasizes his point by holding up two huge syringes with large, hideous-looking needles 20 cm long. The brown one is for anyone with a runny stomach, the baby-puke green one for headaches and aches and pains. It brings down the house with laughter. We are also instructed on emergency procedures and communication during the rally. First bike starts out at 07h00s on Stage 1 tomorrow. Tonight results will be published at the start at 06h00s. They tell us to enjoy the show tonight and wish us a safe and enjoyable prologue and rally. We applaud.

[BlueBull2007]

I have an early lunch with DD and then take a nap. It’s my first moment of proper rest since I got here.


Pic: Webventure.com.br
At 4pm I return to the box area where the atmosphere is a carnival one. There are plenty of pretty girls wandering about, photographers everywhere and lots of people from the general public trying to get in to have a look. Bikes are revving up and moving to the park ferme. This is it, the waiting is almost over at last.

How far the Uruguayans have got with my bike? Not far at all I think, but then what do I know, it looks the same to me. Marcelo says “Todos esta bien, no problemo no problemo,” everything is fine.  It´s okay they reassure me, and hand the bike to me to take to the park ferme where the bikes will be left until the start at 7 pm. It starts okay, and the light works but they warn me not to use it, the stator is unable to produce enough voltage to power everything on the bike. They will re-wire it tomorrow after the 1st stage and install a new regulator, the stock one would melt on the upgraded stator. I look at the mechanics, bewildered. I have no idea what they are talking about. They nod back at me and pat me on the back.

I get on my bike and ride it to the park ferme. The atmosphere is thrilling. Hundreds of people mill about taking video and snaps on cell phones and cameras. Some of us pull wheelies and pose big-time on our flash machines. Girls in tank-tops scream and jump at the sight of us on our machines. We weave out of the box area into a mad traffic jam around the park. It’s great to slip through on our bikes. The din is incredible. Little roadside shops have sprouted up everywhere selling curios and fast food.

Absolute chaos abounds until I arrive at the park ferme, where again I am met with strict control.


 I am allowed into a large fenced-off parking area, sterile of people and I park up in the one of long rows of bikes near the edge and turn off everything.


My bike is one of the last in before the cutoff time of 16h30. Guys on the outside gaze covetously at my bike and its characteristic design. They ask me to pose for a picture. I oblige willingly, before being chased out of the area by an official. Nearby the local radio station is broadcasting live from a vehicle overlooking the track. Huge speakers boom out an excited voice calling talking about the event.


Pic: Webventure.com.br
Helicopters full of pressmen snapping pictures buzz around like angry mosquitoes. I’m beginning to feel what it’s like to be a hero and I haven’t even started riding yet!


I meet up with Phil and Dave and we walk the track. It doesn’t look too bad at all.




A huge flag has been setup off two cranes over the track


I return to my room for another short rest, a meal, a couple of calls and to dress for the start.


We walk kitted up to the bikes around 7pm. Now if this is not an advert for Acerbis gear, I dont know what is!  The air is electric with anticipation. Crowds walk with us to fill the stands. There is time for us to go into the VIP area and have a glass of water, served by awestruck waiters.


Phil & Dave are also a little pensive. Their Brazilian championship numbers are 44 & 45, the last bikes on the list. The reverse start order for the prologue means they will be among the first bikes out there after the Brazilian quads and Sertoes Series bikes. Other VIPs come up to us and ask to take photos of us. We oblige happily, but battle to look relaxed and smile over our nervousness.


Pic: Webventure.com.br




We have made it to the start! It’s quite an achievement in its own right and we toast one another with our cups of water.


The event kicks off with the national anthem and followed immediately by a breathtaking fireworks and laser display.


 It’s pretty impressive. The first quads go flying out while the crowd of perhaps 25,000 people go absolutely nuts. It’s very contagious. Brazilians are clearly exceptionally passionate people. I line up with all the riders to watch the first bikes as well. The crowd is roaring in approval and excitement, a Mexican wave following the riders around the track.

One poor guy cooks it on a corner and low-sides and spins out beautifully, almost face-planting as he goes down. The crowd bellows some in sympathy and others with delight, while he bravely leaps up and tears off again like a man possessed.


Dave and Phil look at each other and are off to the start. I smile as Phil, in his element waves at the crowd. They hoot with approval; he has won their hearts instantly as the DJ yells over the intercom about the “Dois Americanos Phil y Dave!!” They shoot off and make the two laps without mishap.


I decide to go to my bike and warm it up, riding it up and down in the Park Ferme with the light off, to give the battery a boost and to warm it up. Well, that is my theory anyway. I take my position in the line and wait for my turn, turning off my bike and pushing it forward.

Being in the world championship means I am riding with all the expert riders.


I’m racing with this Chilean guy Rodrigo Caballero, he looks like he should still be in school! I fool myself into thinking he will maybe be a walkover. Ludo Boinnard has No. 110 and is starting behind me, with guys like David Casteau, Dimas Matthos, Ike Klaumann, Kuba Przygonski, and Marc Coma with Ze Helio just behind them. Holy crap! Ludo just winks and gives me a thumbs up! He must have seen the whites of my eyes. I grin and wish him all the best.

We roll the bikes forward gradually to the top of a 20m ramp down to the course without starting engines. The two rows of two bikes waiting at the edge of the track with engines running, and then one row is waved onto the start.

It’s our turn to go down. I switch the ignition on. Nothing. Darn. Check switches. No light, no fans, nothing. I try the starter. Nothing. F***!!!  I notice my HID light switch is on, I can’t remember which way is on or off now. Has it drained the battery?  F***, didn’t I turn it off? I was sure it was off, I must have bumped it on somehow. Is it off now? Shit, I hope so. Not to worry, just take it easy Neil. You can still kick start the bike easily enough. Check fuel valve. Okay, its on.

Kick, kick, kick, kick….kick, kick, kick, kick, kick, kick...nothing. F***!!!!!!!  

Kick, kick, kick, kick, I’m kicking my ass off and nothing. I stop, breathing heavily and wonder if I’m going to have to pull out, when Ludo comes forward and suggests he push me down the ramp. I wheeze a thank you, and off we go.

Change into 2nd gear okay clutch out. Nothing. I roll down some more this time getting a bit more speed, clutch out: Nothing. Shit, I only have 5m left! I roll on gravity paddling as I go nearly flattening two camera guys as the bike bursts into life at the last bloody second. Holy shit.


I’m sucking air like an oxygen thief as I barely stop the bike on the edge of the track. Once I’m sure the engine won’t die on me when I idle back, I ease off on the throttle. The guys in front of us wiz past on the first lap. I’m too scared to let the clutch out in case I stall it. I rip on my goggles with my right hand, but they’re so steamed up I can’t see jack shit. I can clean them but I need two hands. No way I’m risking that now. I don’t yet know the sweet spot on my clutch. I think I’m in second still so I kick down to first. Check all support circuits and lights are OFF. Not ideal, but this is survival, the stadium floodlights will have to do.

Then I notice the bloody photographer trying to get a close up of my face. Well the photo will just have to be crap. I’ve got more important stuff to worry about right now. I can just see some of the track through the goggles with one eye. Once I’m going I know they will clear. I have 30m to the start, let’s hope that’s enough.

We are waved onto the track and I charge off, stalling the bike. Oh F***, this is it. I’m going to have push the bike off the field in front of thousands of freaking spectators. There nowhere even to push it, I’m on the track. The shame!

Praying, I get the kick-start lever out and first kick the bike is running again. I’m stunned.

I scream in 1st up to the blurry figure at the start line. My vision is still crap. At least I can see the timing board. Amazingly, there are still 35 seconds left to calm down. The official tells me I must do the longer outside loop first, after the first loop, suicide switch onto the inner loop and complete the second round. 15 seconds.
 

I instruct myself to take deep breaths and relax. Please God don’t let me stall again. I’m so distracted I miss the green light and young Rodrigo appears in my peripheral vision. I zoom off hot on his tail before splitting off on my loop.


It’s a soft, deeply rutted track with really sharp curves. No problem, but I find second gear is longer than on my KTM back home, not that much torque so I am forced to take it wide. The next corner is better because it’s a left hand one and I work the back brake sliding the bike around. A small jump in front of the crowds who cheer the South African, one of the few foreign pilots. The course is not hard but I’m battling to get used to gear ratios and I’m peaking at the wrong places, at one point get into third too soon and miss a gear completely going down and scream along a straight in first. What a drama class.

I get a nice power slide on the last curve and some air on the finish ramp before taking on the second loop.


It goes a little better, and despite my poor performance I don’t see Rodrigo anywhere, wow I must be in front. I start enjoying the ride, I can see a bit better now, I can hear the crowds cheering me. The jumps are very small but I manage to get a little air. The springbokkie and I are going to make it. I get to the finish and follow the route out of the stadium only to see Rodrigo pulling off after accepting from a small prize from a rally girl in a lycra suit for winning our bout. Hahaha! Time to eat some humble pie. It all seems over in a flash. I am thrilled as I ride back around to the box area. It’s nice to be out on the road cruising along after all of that, even if I have no light. I stick close to Rodrigo, I don’t want to be hit by a car now.

I later learn I was out there for only 00:01:59.10, Rodrigo was exactly 15 seconds faster than me. He came 24th while I managed 53rd out of 68 riders. Dave came in one second faster and got 51st position while Phil took it easy and came 66th with a time of 00:02:21.30.


Marc Coma takes it easy and came 12th, seven seconds behind the leader, with Ze Helio coming second and Brazilian Felipe Miranda winning with a time of 00:01:27.10.

Frankly, I am just glad to finish. I get back to Marcelo and tell him my problem. He would look into it. I get back to see the first cars tearing the track and danger tape up, very impressive.


After watching a couple more cars and trucks I leave for the hotel and an early night’s sleep after calling Mrs. BB and Rallyraidio. Tomorrow was Stage 1, we would be starting the real rally in earnest. I want to make a strong performance.

[the_wes]

 

[Aquatic]

This is GOOD SHIT.
I have goosies just reading it!

I really enjoy your writing Neil. Keep it coming.

[Diesel & Dust]

Wow wow wow

[funacide]

Awesome stuff, Living the dream!!

[Kenisis]

Well Done Neil. Awesome RR so far!

[KAT-WP]

Just reading ur 'chaotic start' with the bike not starting, i can feel myself getting so angst for u!

U describe ur experience brilliantly, one can really 'feel' the moments u went thru

[keithk]

This amazing I only hope that after the first "episode " everything went a little better, keep it coming 

[Marnus]

HAHAHA!!!! I also went O SHIT!!! when the bike wouldn't start 

Awesome - it's like being there with you man!

[BlueBull2007]

Thanks for your comments guys, Im glad youre enjoying it. It takes ages to string all this together so its very encouraging to get your responses.

BTW...


By the way can you spot our killer Kombi support vehicle in this pic?    

Apart from that did you notice there are no rally vehicles apart from support vehicles in the Box area or under the easy ups? It must have been when all the vehicles were already in the park ferme.

[domstes]

Thanks Neil for taking the time to tell the story. It is BRILLIANT!!

I am loving it!

[Marnus]

I was also thinking - all those countless hours and laps around the MX track probably saved your ass in the Prologue!!!  New bike... starting problems, and only coming 15 seconds short!  Once you got going, you knew exactly what to do   I guess if they added 2 more laps, you would have stopped at the Lycra babe