Race To Dakar

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Race To Dakar

DVD cover
Genre Documentary
Created by Charley Boorman
Russ Malkin
Starring Charley Boorman
Simon Pavey
Matt Hall
Country of origin United Kingdom
Language(s) English
No. of episodes 7
Production
Executive
producer(s)
Russ Malkin
Charley Boorman
Producer(s) Russ Malkin
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time 45 minutes (approx.)
Broadcast
Original channel Sky Two
Original run 17 October 200628 November 2006
Chronology
Related shows Long Way Round
Long Way Down
By Any Means
External links
Official website
IMDb profile

Race To Dakar is a documentary series following actor and keen motorcyclist Charley Boorman's, entry into the 2006 Lisbon-Dakar Rally. First aired on Sky Two and ABC Television (Australia) during 2006, it was released in book form and is also downloadable from the official website.[1]

Contents

[edit] Overview

One of Boorman's lifelong dreams had been to enter the Dakar Rally, which he had discussed with the publishers of the Long Way Round book. Boorman felt he had to do the rally and proposed the idea to Russ Malkin, one of the producers of Long Way Round, who liked the idea.[1] Malkin was concerned that Boorman may not finish the rally should he enter alone, so Boorman approached Simon Pavey to see if he was interested in making the documentary and also training him. A third rider, Matt Hall, was chosen to film their participation and, if necessary, allow his bike to be used for parts if anything happened to Boorman's or Pavey's. They entered the rally riding BMW F650GS Dakar bikes. The team went out to Dubai to train on the dunes so they'd be used to riding on the sand, but Charley broke his collar bone early on in the trip, and had to return home ahead of schedule.

During the Rally, Charley broke bones in both hands when he fell and tried to push his bike up and off his body. He rode on to the end of the stage and had to withdraw. Matt and Simon rode on, but Matt got stuck in the desert for two days and was eventually picked up by the camion balais sweeper truck.

Simon was able to finish the event, and the team were met at Dakar by their spouses and partners, as well as Ewan McGregor who flew out to congratulate them.

[edit] Team

  • Charley Boorman – An actor and keen motorcyclist, Boorman had partnered Ewan McGregor in Long Way Round in 2004 and latterly in Long Way Down in 2007. Forced to retire after five stages when he dislocated his left thumb and broke his right hand.
  • Simon Pavey – Pavey manages BMW Motorrad's off-road training facility in South Wales. He has entered the Dakar Rally six times and finished four times. Pavey finished the race.[1]
  • Matt Hall – Matt has entered many British enduro races and has produced enduro films. Retired during stage 9 due to exhaustion.
  • Russ Malkin – He drove the BMW X5 support vehicle for part of the Rally. Previously Producer/Director of Long Way Round.[2]
  • Claudio von Planta – Travelled with the support crew as Cameraman/Director of Photography. Previously served as cameraman for the Long Way Round, riding the third bike.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Boorman, Charley. Race To Dakar. New York: Time Warner Books. 2006. ISBN 0316027113
  2. ^ Boorman, Charley, & Ewan McGregor. Long Way Round. 2004. ISBN 0751536805
  3. ^ Long Way Round Official website

[edit] External links


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