The adventure began back in 1977, when Thierry Sabine got lost on his motorbike in the Libyan desert during the Abidjan-Nice Rally. Saved from the sands in extremis, he returned to France still in thrall to this landscape and promising himself he would share his fascination with as many people as possible. He proceeded to come up with a route starting in Europe, continuing to Algiers and crossing Agadez before eventually finishing at Dakar. The founder coined a motto for his inspiration: “A challenge for those who go. A dream for those who stay behind.” Courtesy of his great conviction and that modicum of madness peculiar to all great ideas, the plan quickly became a reality. Since then, the Paris-Dakar, a unique event sparked by the spirit of adventure, open to all riders and carrying a message of friendship between all men, has never failed to challenge, surprise and excite. Over the course of almost thirty years, it has generated innumerable sporting and human stories. Race2Recovery hope to add to this incredible legend of a race.

Since the Dakar landed on the continent of South America the route has ben adapted annually to challenge even the very best drivers. It is a landscape of lush plains, fearsome desert, the awe-inspiring Andes mountains and over 9,000km of terrifying racing. All this will be experienced by the team in the first 15 days of 2013. With over 3.M spectators in Argentina and 1.5M in Chile the race commands the respect of the international racing community. Who knows where Dakar 2013 will be but the current rumour is Brazil, a new environment for all the teams and another opportunity to demonstrate how motorsport can create a level playing field for those with disabilities where other sports can’t.

To find out more about the Dakar Rally, visit www.dakar.com

Despite the average 40% rate of success, lack of sleep and variable extremes of conditions Race2Recovery have set their sights on completing the most severe endurance motorsport event on earth. Powered by Qt Wildcats the team will improve their chances of completion to a 60% success rate and with the help of sponsors to compete the team will be building up through a coordinated training program to the fearsome Dakar 2013. Along the way there will be some fantastic fundraising events run by the team and volunteers who will raise money for three incredible Service Charities, Help for Heroes, The Royal British Legion and Combat Stress.

If you would like to be an event sponsor, help fundraise or would like more information about the Race2Recovery Campaign then please get in touch with tony@race2recovery.co.uk or email marketing@race2recovery.co.uk