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Sebastien Souday and his All Tracks Quad-team clinched the Panafrica Rally title in Morocco just a few weeks ago, but that’s already disappearing in the rear-view mirror, because up next is Dakar. We caught up with him to check what challenges he faced in Morocco and on how he’s preparing for the upcoming Dakar Rally.
Sébastien, you grabbed the title in the Panafrica Rally! Congratulations with your stunning performance and victory in the Quad category! How hard was the race?
It was a very, very tough and complicated race this year. The Panafrica Rally takes you through the Dunes of Morocco. During the ‘old’ Dakar race, which was passing through the same Dunes in Africa, we were riding in the dunes during one or two hours. The temperature there rises up to 40 to 45° Celsius. As a driver, you can stand the heat for a few hours, but in this race, we were racing all day long in these dunes and extreme temperatures. There was hardly enough air to breath and several participants became ill because of the heat and they had to abandon the race. It was an extreme physical test for man and machine.
Although tough, this race is your training for the big race, the Dakar Rally, correct?
That’s correct. During the summer we build and improve the general technique of the quad and its performance level. Supported by the Yamaha Factory, we exchange crucial information, tips and advice for the improvement of the Yamaha 450 Raptor Quad. Yamaha listens to our advice we experience in the field and we can rely on their technical staff for advice, questions and information on parts.
The big Dakar race is approaching fast. This year will be different, as the Dakar Rally will be organized in Saudi Arabia after 29 years racing in Africa and 11 years in South America. Is this an improvement you think?
Absolutely. The thing was, in South America, chances were not quite equal. We had local riders, knowing every track and corner in the area, they could almost drive some stages with their eyes shut. And after 11 years, we’ve also discovered and ridden every challenging area. In the Saudi Arabian desert however, practically nobody has ever raced there. Therefore, chances to win are equal for each rider. And last but not least, everybody will have to sleep in the Bivouac. Making the challenge equally tough for every participant. In the past we had some pilots sleeping in hotels, which does make a difference at the start in the Morning (laughs). In 2020 that won’t be possible, we are finally getting back into the real Rally spirit!
Motul is one of your technical partners. How do you collaborate?
My technician is relying on Motul oils for the whole team. We use the full range of products. In the engine we have the outstanding 300V race-oil, which even after a full day of racing in the Dessert at 45°, keeps on performing and lubricating the engine. Besides the engine, we us the Motul Brake fluid, Radiator coolant, the full range of MC Care and every product in-between. So far, the oils and lubricants never disappointed us, even under these high pressures. Absolutely perfect!
Pictures: © Actiongraphers
