“An absolute honor!”

Robby Gordon likes to show up on the Dakar with surprises. Back in 2016, the American took with him an 18-year-old wonder-kid by the name of Sheldon Creed. For 2019, the new kid on the Gordon block will be 19-year-old Cole Potts who impressed during the Stadium Super Truck season and appeared alongside his mentor at the recent Baja 1000. While he doesn’t yet have the experience of the Dakar old-timers, Potts will be counting on the navigation skills of former biker Max Eddy a winner of all the biggest Baja races on the US off-road scene (Baja 500, Baja 1000, Vegas to Reno). Both will hope to take their Textron Side by Side to the finish of the world’s toughest rally.

C.P.: “Having this unique opportunity to participate in the 2019 Dakar Rally, with Team SPEED and Robby Gordon in a Textron XX is an absolute honor. Having raced North America’s toughest off road races already, I’m very interested to see how Dakar compares to them. With the opportunity to compete in the Dakar in the country of Peru is an exciting opportunity. As we are going to be able to tackle some of the world’s toughest sand dunes and witness some beautiful terrain.” M.E.: “Cole has proved to be an excellent competitor this year in the Stadium SUPER Trucks series as well as in the desert with the Trophy Truck. I am confident Cole will be able to adjust to the XX, and course conditions easily to get a respectable finish in each Stage.”