SCHUTTEL Dirk NLD 13/11/1965 180 cm 75 kg

Vehicle

MODEL	MAKE
WR 450 F	YAMAHA

RANKING

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
Scratch	154	88	116	115	89	98	87	119	100	86	-	90	96	101
Stage	154	88	116	111	89	98	86	117	97	87	-	88	94	101	-	-
Overall	154	107	101	99	87	84	82	86	84	82	-	84	82	80	-	-

Dirk Schuttel : «It is in my blood »

Some 20 years ago, Dirk Schuttel suddenly challenged a group of friends to go to Paris to watch the departure of the Dakar. “They told me I was crazy, but they, all the same, got in the car. We left just like that, on a whim”. When you ask him where this enthusiasm for the Dakar comes from, he doesn’t really know. ”It doesn’t come from my family; I think I just have it in my blood”. After 25 years of waiting patiently, he sets of this year to live out his dream.

Up until now, the cost has been the stumbling block in participating. Dirk doesn’t see the Dakar as just another rally. Despite the cancellation of the rally last year, the Dutchman saw his project, which he put together with his sponsors for the « SOS children villages», to its conclusion. He was able to collect €50 000 to finance the construction of an orphanage in Uganda for 130 children. “It took us a year to collect all the funds. This year, we’ve been able to collect another €15 000.”

As for the rally itself, Dirk is already rejoicing ahead of the South American adventure. “It will be new for everyone. There will be less of a gap between the pros and the others”, predicts Dirk. He sees the rally as “a daily challenge”, and will rely on the experience he gained this year on the Pax Rally and Rally of Central Europe: “I finished 29th on the Pax. In Hungary I dropped out due to an accident, but it taught me a lot.” From Argentina to Chile, Dirk will ride with just one goal. “Finish in one piece and have a great time.”

Dakar start photos on line: www.maindruphoto.com

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