Race To Dakar
Encyclopedia
Race to Dakar is a documentary series following actor and keen motorcyclist Charley Boorman
's entry into the 2006 Dakar Rally
from Lisbon to Dakar. First aired on Sky2
and ABC Television (Australia) during 2006, it was also released as a book.
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. Malkin was concerned that Boorman might 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 F650RR
rally bikes.
The team went out to Dubai to train on the dunes so they'd be used to riding on the sand, but Boorman broke his collar bone early on in the trip, and had to return home ahead of schedule.
During the rally, Boorman 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. Hall and Pavey rode on, but Hall got stuck in the desert for two days and was eventually picked up by the camion balais sweeper truck.
Pavey was able to finish the event, and the team were met at Dakar by their spouses and girlfriends, as well as Ewan McGregor
who flew out to congratulate them.
Charley Boorman
Charley Boorman is an English TV adventurer, travel writer and actor. He is well known for his association with motorcycles and enthusiasm for biking.-Education:...
's entry into the 2006 Dakar Rally
Dakar Rally
The Dakar Rally is an annual rally raid type of off-road automobile race, organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation...
from Lisbon to Dakar. First aired on Sky2
Sky2
Sky2 is a British television channel originally launched on 2 December 2002 as Sky One Mix. Sky2 is now available on Sky, Virgin Media, Smallworld Cable and TalkTalk TV platforms in the UK. It is also available in the Republic of Ireland on the UPC Ireland platform.-Rebrand:Sky One Mix was...
and ABC Television (Australia) during 2006, it was also released as a book.
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 RoundLong Way Round
Long Way Round is a documentary television series, DVD set and book documenting the journey of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman from London to New York on motorcycles...
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. Malkin was concerned that Boorman might not finish the rally should he enter alone, so Boorman approached Simon Pavey
Simon Pavey
Simon Pavey is a motorcycle enduro and off road racer, currently based in Wales.Pavey started his racing career in Sydney in 1981 with a motorcross race in Appin and won his first race at the same circuit that year...
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 F650RR
BMW F650 single
The BMW F650 is a family of single-cylinder motorcycles that was produced by BMW Motorrad beginning in 1993. Models include the F650ST Strada, F650 Funduro, F650GS, F650GS Dakar and latterly the G650GS...
rally bikes.
The team went out to Dubai to train on the dunes so they'd be used to riding on the sand, but Boorman broke his collar bone early on in the trip, and had to return home ahead of schedule.
During the rally, Boorman 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. Hall and Pavey rode on, but Hall got stuck in the desert for two days and was eventually picked up by the camion balais sweeper truck.
Pavey was able to finish the event, and the team were met at Dakar by their spouses and girlfriends, as well as Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor
Ewan Gordon McGregor is a Scottish actor. He has had success in mainstream, indie, and art house films. McGregor is perhaps best known for his roles as heroin addict Mark Renton in the drama Trainspotting , young Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy , and poet Christian in the...
who flew out to congratulate them.
Team
- Charley BoormanCharley BoormanCharley Boorman is an English TV adventurer, travel writer and actor. He is well known for his association with motorcycles and enthusiasm for biking.-Education:...
– An actor and keen motorcyclist, Boorman had partnered with Ewan McGregorEwan McGregorEwan Gordon McGregor is a Scottish actor. He has had success in mainstream, indie, and art house films. McGregor is perhaps best known for his roles as heroin addict Mark Renton in the drama Trainspotting , young Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy , and poet Christian in the...
in Long Way RoundLong Way RoundLong Way Round is a documentary television series, DVD set and book documenting the journey of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman from London to New York on motorcycles...
in 2004 and later in Long Way DownLong Way Down"Long Way Down" is a single by the Goo Goo Dolls from their breakthrough album, 1995's A Boy Named Goo. This song is often overshadowed by the low-key ballad "Name", which launched the band to household names...
in 2007. He was forced to retire after five stages when he dislocated his left thumb and broke his right hand. - Simon PaveySimon PaveySimon Pavey is a motorcycle enduro and off road racer, currently based in Wales.Pavey started his racing career in Sydney in 1981 with a motorcross race in Appin and won his first race at the same circuit that year...
– Pavey manages BMW Motorrad'sBMW MotorradBMW Motorrad is the motorcycle brand of the German company BMW, part of its Corporate and Brand Development division. The current General Director of the unit is Hendrik von Kuenheim....
off-road training facility in South Wales. He has entered the Dakar Rally six times and finished four times. Pavey finished the race. - Matt Hall – Hall has entered many British enduroEnduroEnduro is a form of motorcycle sport run on courses that are predominantly off-road. Enduro consists of many different obstacles and challenges...
races and has produced enduro films. He retired during stage 9 due to exhaustion. - Russ MalkinRuss MalkinRuss Malkin is a British film producer and creative director. He produced and directed three motorcycle adventure TV documentaries; Long Way Round and Long Way Down featuring Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor, and Race to Dakar featuring Boorman. The format of these programmes meant that he also...
– Malkin drove the BMW X5BMW X5The BMW X5 is a luxury crossover SUV introduced in 1999 as the first generation E53. It was BMW's first SUV also known as "Four-by-Four" in the UK. It features all-wheel drive which is branded as the "X" drive system and is available with either manual or automatic transmission...
support vehicle for part of the Rally. He was both producer and director of Long Way Round. - Claudio von PlantaClaudio von PlantaClaudio von Planta is a Swiss cameraman, director and filmmaker, based in London.-Long Way Round:His best known work is as the cameraman who accompanied Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on their Long Way Round motorcycle journey from London to New York in 2004. Shortly before the trip Claudio...
– Travelling with the support crew as cameraman and director of photography, he previously served as cameraman for the Long Way Round, riding the third bike.