PORT Edward farmer Stuart Gregory is hoping to become the first South Coaster to compete in the notorious Dakar Rally.
He’s aiming to enter the 2016 edition, and has been buoyed by his experience at the recent Amageza Rallye which was raced from Upington to Cape Town, over 2500km.
Stuart finished 11th, one spot behind Ryan Pretorius from Oribi.
A third South Coaster, Ryan Upfold of Shelly Beach, had some misfortune in the fourth stage when his engine blew up.
The whole event lasted six days and was a Dakar type event.
Stuart felt that speedwise it was quite quick, but that an event like the Roof of Africa was tougher in terms of endurance.
“One of the highlights was travelling along the Namibian border for about 80km, north to south,” said Stuart.
“For a first time experience I learnt a lot, and so know what to work on, like riding in deep sand,” he said.
Stuart is no stranger to being on a bike in a competitive environment.
Last year he rode the Red Bull Romaniacs in Romania, the year before he took part in the International 6 Day Enduro.
He is now looking forward to racing his ninth Roof of Africa race.
And after that, towards the Dakar Rally. “That will be quite a challenge, and will require some serious funding,” he said.
