Masters of Energy – Conquering the Grit of Dakar with Seth Quintero, Daniel Sanders, and Dania Akeel
The fourth instalment of ‘In The Mud’ seems into the gritty actuality of the Dakar Rally with reigning W2RC Champion Seth Quintero, Sonora Rally champion Daniel Sanders, and trailblazing rally star Dania Akeel. The trio sheds gentle on the energy of physique and thoughts required to undertake such a Herculean job, in addition to how they deal with themselves throughout the treacherous 9,000-kilometre journey.
Discussing the gruelling calls for of the Dakar, rider Daniel Sanders underscores the peculiar nature of the race. Devoid of a protecting cage and missing navigation help, rivals on two wheels encounter unparalleled difficulties, constantly pushing their limits. He emphasises the self-reliance demanded by the rally: “It’s all depending on us via the stage, day by day, and it’s fairly insane as a result of your mistake is your mistake. You personal it as properly. That, and managing the danger you should take to be on the prime. That’s in all probability the toughest factor.”
Dania Akeel, the primary Saudi lady to obtain a racing license, navigates the Dakar in a automobile with out a windscreen. As she addresses the unconventional setup of her Taurus T3, she says that the function provides her unobstructed visibility, and it’s not a damaging facet for her. In terms of temperature or bodily discomfort, Dania notes: “I don’t discover [those things] as a result of I’m trying on the observe. I’m excited about the navigation, and I’m simply actually zeroed in.”
She continues: “On the street sections, it will get uncomfortable after a number of hours. [The back] will get a bit sore, a bit tense. However within the stage, I’m wonderful – there’s plenty of bumps, vibration, there’s motion. You’re being tossed in numerous instructions, and there’s blood circulation. And the suspensions of our automobile are light-weight, so we dance.”
Driving is much less easy for Seth Quintero and his new T1 automobile. He reveals that he can really feel the burden of the two-tonne car because of the stiff suspensions, making it rather a lot much less snug than his earlier T3 automobiles. The rigidity of the car makes each terrain undulation palpable, with the American describing: “You’re feeling your eyeballs drooping. Everytime you hit the underside of a dune, you may really feel every thing compress and fall. The seating place that you just’re in isn’t at all times the best both, and typically the neck begins to harm.” However Seth finds some solace in sure luxuries: “You bought the air con, the doorways, the home windows, you bought all the new commodities.”
The dialog then shifts to the psychological facet of Dakar racing, significantly the solitary expertise for these on motorbikes. These athletes not solely must observe the street map and decide their route, however additionally they should preserve management over each facet of their motorcycle.
“It’s simply psychological energy,” says Daniel. “You’re enjoying along with your demons up in your head, pushing via every thing, and attempting to benefit from the journey.” He then stresses the significance of remaining hyper-concentrated on the difficult terrain: “You actually must give attention to each stone you see in entrance of your entrance wheel, as a result of that might be the top of the race, proper in entrance of you.”
When requested about sustaining focus on the observe, Daniel reveals his technique to maintain his mind engaged and optimistic: “For the street sections, there’s a little bit of singing occurring. You’re attempting to get your temper again up as a result of the chilly mornings get to you, and also you simply acquired to push on via it, and sing alongside all through.”
Music can also be what energises the Australian rider within the early hours earlier than the darkish and chilly begin: “I am going straight to the jukebox, pump the music to get fired up.” Regardless of the nerves kicking in, he ensures to have one thing to eat, and discloses that the primary day is probably the most difficult, as athletes want to ascertain a brand new routine.
Speaking about their psychological state all through the 2 race weeks, Dania highlights her strategy of treating every day independently, avoiding carrying the luggage of a nasty day into the following. Seth echoes this sentiment. To him, “day by day is the primary day,” permitting for a contemporary begin and a transparent mindset.
The 21-year-old Californian explains: “Bike or automobile or no matter it’s, it’s going to be draining it doesn’t matter what. Anyone that claims this race is tremendous pleasant, I believe they’re mendacity a bit of. You may take pleasure in components of it, however I don’t assume you’re having fun with each second of it. You’re keen on racing, you like doing all of it. However 12 days, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing, goes to be rather a lot.”
However some issues encourage riders and drivers to proceed their mission of conquering Saudi’s Empty Quarter. Seth says it’s all in his thoughts: “So long as I can get again, see my crew’s glad, my staff’s glad, I made individuals proud, and I get a textual content from my household – that’s all I want.”
Nevertheless, the younger W2RC champ has additionally some secret powers coming from one thing extra concrete and nearer to him: “This necklace – my mom will get one for me yearly. It’s a necklace with my Dakar automobile quantity and my identify. On the again, it’s acquired a bald eagle – the image of the US of America.” He then exhibits a second necklace with a unique pendant: “This one’s the true essential. That is my father’s wedding ceremony ring. It symbolises rather a lot for me: it exhibits me grit, willpower, love, all of it.”
Talking of psychological fortitude inside the context of the Dakar, some consider the problem is usually represented by the tough surroundings; however in some instances, it’s the athletes themselves who turn out to be the hurdle they should overcome.
Dania shares that, earlier than the race, she extensively focused her psychological efficiency to keep away from falling into final 12 months’s psychological sample. Despite securing a top-ten place in her first rally in 2022, fueled by excessive expectations, she anticipated a top-five end the next 12 months – but it surely didn’t unfold that method. “I used to be tense, I didn’t have enjoyable,” she explains. “I simply saved excited about outcomes, and I simply turned very caught on this psychological area.”
Seth chimes in: “You turn out to be numb to a lot of the good-feeling feelings. I confirmed as much as my first race in Dakar, and being a UTV [Utility Terrain Vehicles] man within the States, I had strain on me to exit and instantly win. And even now on T1, I’m on the most effective gear, so I suppose I’m anticipated to win.”
A video performs, displaying Seth driving and never blinking for a very long time. Dania notices the element and says it’s due to Seth’s intense focus; however he responds it’s the look when he’s struggling: “That video proper there was simply me doubting myself and simply attempting to push additional and additional. And it will get irritating in my very own face. So, yeah, I believe I’m actually one in every of my largest weaknesses.”
But, the precise mindset allows riders and drivers to deal with the tough or untrainable points of Dakar. Dania attests that issues modified for her when she shifted her focus to stage outcomes and began having fun with the journey once more. “Should you keep in mind that you’re right here by selection, it eases every thing. I’m not right here due to outcomes – that’s an end result. However I like being right here and I wouldn’t need to be wherever else,” she provides.
Seth reinforces the thought: “The extra enjoyable I’ve and the extra I smile, the best way higher I’m and the quicker I am going.” He then reminisces a few particular occasion, underlining how revelling the second can improve sporting efforts: “I keep in mind at some point – the report 12 months, we’ll name it – my navigator Dennis [Zenz] and I talked for all the stage about sandwiches and meals, and what we have been going to do once we acquired dwelling. I believe there was just one second the place I believed I used to be racing. That day we gained by nearly 20 minutes, and that’s why the psychological aspect of issues for me is a lot extra essential than the bodily facet.”
The fourth episode of ‘In The Mud’ invitations viewers to ponder the bodily and psychological fortitude required for Dakar’s daring journey. Can your common Joe tackle such an endeavour? The reply, as explored by Daniel Sanders, Dania Akeel, and Seth Quintero, lies within the delicate interaction of willpower, resilience, and a real love for racing.
