TEN HARKEL Bob NLD 12/06/1956 180 cm 86 kg

RIJPMA Roland NLD 06/03/1961 180 cm 98 kg

Vehicle

MODEL	MAKE
NEMESIS	BOWLER

RANKING

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
Scratch	165	129	65	110	60	36	73	60	66	-	-	68	50	42
Stage	165	129	65	108	60	34	65	60	65	-	-	67	50	42	-	-
Overall	165	110	122	129	91	72	67	79	56	-	-	54	54	53	-	-

Bob Ten Harkel: “I finished without a punctured tire!”

“Bob maybe isn’t the best rally driver in the world but he’s one of the best drivers of the Dakar”. When he speaks about Bob Ten Harkel, co-driver Roland Rijpma always has the odd compliment for his mate. “He is very experienced and it’s a huge advantage to have somebody like him at my side”. Bob Ten Harkel, the man with 10 Dakars, however shouldn’t have been in a driver’s seat on the 2009 Dakar. His presence is only due to the late withdrawal of Freddy Loix, registered on the Monte-Carlo Rally that starts in January. “Approaching Bob that I have known for a long time wasn’t a long decision to take”, says Roland. “I didn’t hesitate a moment when Roland called me”, explains Bob. On board a Bowler Nemesis – “except for the professional cars, one of the best vehicles of the field” – the crew expects a “very competitive” race, but has the clear intention to reach Buenos Aires. “In the Top 20”, hopes Bob who after already finishing the Dakar five times still has the same enthusiasm: “You know, the Dakar is like a virus that you never get rid of”. Of the ten thousand kilometres gobbled, Bob Ten Harkel remembers three best memories: the two times he finished 10th (1994 and 1998), his best performance. And more surprisingly, the 2006 edition he finished in 18th position: “I finished without a punctured tire!”

Dakar start photos on line: www.maindruphoto.com

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