Biker to complete childhood dream of desert race

A man from North Yorkshire is set to fulfil a childhood dream by taking part in one of the most challenging motoring races in the world.

Robbie Wallace, from Northallerton, who works on Northern Grid power lines, will enter the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia in January.

The 27-year-old will be one of 130 drivers – including only one other British person - to compete in the 8,000km-long race through the desert over 13 days.

He said the thing he was looking forward to the most was “getting to the finish line”, but was confident his KTM 450 bespoke motorbike, which is made for enduring the sand dunes, would get him through.

He said: “There’s only so much training you can do, especially over in England as there’s not a lot of sand, but I was in Saudi Arabia last week, so that was my last chance in the sand dunes.

“I’m looking forward to the actual race as it has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.

“Now we’re within touching distance and it is a big deal.”

Mr Wallace started racing when he was 10 years old after being inspired by his father, who used to race cars and motorbikes.

He added his father had always been full of support, but “my mum is a bit more anxious about the whole thing”, adding she will be staying at home while his father would fly out to watch him.

His daily routine during the race will include setting off at 06:00 GMT every day after camping every night and having to carry three litres of water with him, as well as an emergency kit.

And if he gets lost at any point in the desert, he will have GPS on his bike, while 10 helicopters will also be on hand to help anyone in difficulty.

Mr Wallace said: “In terms of how many miles we’re going to cover, some days we will travel the distance of London to Edinburgh in one day, as well as navigating off-road racing.

“The mental aspect is more important than the physical aspect as after day three, you’re thinking, I can’t do this, there’s a long way left, but you just get into the swing of things and keep going.”

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