World Cup. Indy 500. Dakar Rally. Even if you don’t follow the sporting series that surround all three of these major sporting events, you’ve probably at least heard of them. There’s one thing the Dakar Rally has that the other two don’t, though—and it’s the fact that amateurs can, as long as they qualify, compete alongside the professional, factory-supported racers.
While most competitors we hear about (and write about) every year come from well-funded factory team efforts, the privateers are the unsung heroes of the sport. To many, including factory racers, they represent the true spirit of the event.
