Twitter Updates
Motorcycle News
See ALL News, archives, and categories - HERE
Don Hatton retires from Dakar Rally
Some unfortunate news from the Canadian competitor Don Hatton's camp - he's out of the race. Stage 3 was a really brutal one and knocked out quite a few competitors.
More details below:
Don Hatton has been forced to retire on Stage 3 of the 2010 Dakar race upon advice of race medical staff.
For hours Don had been struggling in axle deep in the white sand dunes east of La Rioja in 45 degree Celsius temperatures. The combination of poor engine performance brought on by bad gasoline, fatigue from the heat, and the lingering affects of the food poisoning meant that riding the steep dunes was almost impossible. Riding with fellow Dakar racer Duncan Tweedy they were both overcome with heat issues. They were provided water from passing participants in cars and trucks to help them cope with their situation.
Passing race medical officials advised them both not to proceed as: “you will die in the dunes”, plus, “there are no helicopters available as they are all busy trying to get guys out of the dunes”. Not encouraging news considering their location and physical condition.
Still suffering from dehydration due to food poisoning that Don had on Stage 2 of the rally along with the advise of race officials Don decided to retire from the race. He was one of 20 motorcyclists, nearly 15% of the entrants, to retire from the race yesterday
We know at this time Don was safe at the Bivouac last night and is making his way back to Buenos Aires to meet up with his wife and support team.
We will advise further once we have been able to interview Don
On behalf of Don, Natalie and the whole Rally Raid Canada – Destination Dakar team we would like to give our utmost thanks to our fans, sponsors and especially our media supporters !
Dakar Racing Factoid – things you might not know or thought of :
According to an AFP account, the total death count of people involved in the Dakar race since it’s inception in 1979 is 52 competitors and 16 spectators.
Comments
Disclaimer:
All information and data provided on this site is
for informational purposes only. Canadian
Motorcycle Rider makes no representations as to
accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability,
or validity of any information on this site and
will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or
delays in this information or any losses, injuries,
or damages arising from its display or use. All
information is provided on an as-is basis.
We work hard to publish original content that will be of interest to Canadian motorcycle enthusiasts. Much of the written content, images, video, and other content on this website is the property of Canadian Motorcycle Rider. Unauthorized commercial publication or exploitation of images, video, or content of this Web site is specifically prohibited. Anyone wishing to use any of our content for commercial use or publication must request and receive prior written permission from Canadian Motorcycle Rider (www.CanadianMotorcycleRider.ca)
We work hard to publish original content that will be of interest to Canadian motorcycle enthusiasts. Much of the written content, images, video, and other content on this website is the property of Canadian Motorcycle Rider. Unauthorized commercial publication or exploitation of images, video, or content of this Web site is specifically prohibited. Anyone wishing to use any of our content for commercial use or publication must request and receive prior written permission from Canadian Motorcycle Rider (www.CanadianMotorcycleRider.ca)
