Don Hatton has completed the first day of 2010 Sardegna Rally Race

Canadian Don Hatton has completed the first day for racing in the 2010 Sardegna Rally Race in Sardinia Italy.

“Exciting day! Long stages with average speed of only 40 km/hr. Very narrow and rocky, just like riding the deer or mountain bike trails back home” Don says.

It was pouring rain during the special stage today making it even tougher for the competitors more used to riding in the North African sand dunes. The 4 foot deep water crossing was exceptionally tough. But thanks to the help of the Polish team who with their ATV were able to pull out six stranded riders.

We know at this point that Marc Coma is leading the race overall but due to lack of direct contact with the organizers we are unable to update Don’s position in the race. We will advise as soon as we have the information.

Today’s stage is the “Marathon Stage” ending in a “parc ferme” at the Polygon Military compound in the Sardinian mountains. This means the riders will not have their support teams to help with the maintenance or repair of the bike.

Also all the competitors are housed in large communal tent in an “African Style” bivouac for the night.

Rally Raid Racing Factoid – things you might not know or thought of:

Parc ferme is a term used to indicate a guarded locked compound where the motorcycles are kept at night. The riders are generally only allowed a short time frame to do any maintenance or repairs on the bikes, sometimes as little as fifteen minutes, and are not allowed any help from anyone – including spectators – and especially their support team. If they are caught accepting help they can be disqualified from the race. 

Therefore along with incredible physical and mental stamina, the ability to navigate in everything from a desert to wooded mountains a Rally Raid rider must also be a very handy mechanic!