GHR Honda Team Site & Blog
Archive for December, 2010
Video – scrutineering
Dec 31st
Quick video of the crowds at scrutineering with a glimpse of Mark Davidson and Warren Strange.
This is what a few dozen sentinel devices sound like in symphony.
Scrutineering cleared…
Dec 31st
In Glenn’s words today “it was a long, long, long haul to get through scrutineering”.
La Rural - Day 1 - snapshot from the Dakar official Facebook page
He called in at 1.00am his time on what is the morning of 31 December.
The bikes, the truck and the campers have all passed inspection now.
Brief outline of the last 24 hours:
2.00 am – Mechanics finish work and go to bed
5.30 am – Everyone up and on the move again
8.00 am – Arrive at scrutineering and queue up
9.00 am – Scrutineering starts
10.00 pm – Scrutineering ends
11.00 pm – Dinner then drive back to base
1.00 am – Everyone to bed, then Glenn makes his calls
One of the problems getting through today was the unfamiliarity with all the special navigation and safety equipment that must be fitted to the bikes. All of the new parts that GHR had engineered to suit worked well in the end, but the crew had anticipated some snags when fitting it all together. The issue today was the loss of so much time due to the strike and industrial action at the docks earlier in the week. What should have been going on then had to be done in the last day or so and the rest of the schedule leading up to today was turned upside down. Resolution of many of the problems fitting the required electronics took place in the queues for the inspection sessions today. Numerous one-off hitches emerged such as where to locate the beacons and flares securely on the machine. Each bike took about 3 hours to set up fully, but future events will only take half the time. 2012 will be a case of dropping the GPS and sentinel equipment in position and just plugging them in. The riders were understandably preoccupied with attending to their own bikes, but all team members and vehicles needed to be registered.
Tomorrow will be spent finishing off some of the remaining issues with the truck, completing the packing. Although the air-conditioning was supposedly working when the truck was bought, it no longer is. There may or may not be time to work that out. Some additional spares and wheels have to be dropped off with the event organisers’ freight service for carriage part way through the event. This service was pre-booked as a precaution before the truck had been purchased and the team knew exactly what they could carry with them.
The crew have already found that fuel supply is very patchy, and not all service stations can sell as much fuel as they want when they want it. Glenn will have to do the rounds of any service stations he can find to ensure that the truck has sufficient diesel on board. Local currency conversions are also difficult and credit cards are not always accepted. The ATM machines have a daily limit so the team will have to hunt continue to down a healthy supply of cash money. He’s also going to investigate roaming services for his Telstra SIM because the locally supplied Personal services are proving very unreliable.
He finished by saying they’re trying not to do the maths on their sleep quota at the moment.
Getting close now!
Dec 31st
We’re hoping to get a call from Glenn today to find out how things are going at scrutineering.
Birthdays!
There are a couple of birthdays to note although the time zone differences make it hard to know when to light the candles – happy birthday Jacob Smith and Mark Davidson (consecutive birthdays). The fact that save for one day there is a 30 year age gap between these two riders won’t diminish the celebrations and only goes to show what a diverse group GHR have gathered for the race.
In other celebrations I am sure that NYE in Buenos Aires is going to go off with a bang tomorrow night. During a couple of the phone calls from Glenn, the fireworks and crackers that seem to be a nightly feature in BA were clearly audible.
GHR Honda rider numbers
Even though up to this point Jacob’s bike has been shown wearing his trademark #222 on the stickers, it’s worth noting that the actual race numbers for the GHR Honda riders are as follows:
#113 – Jacob Smith
#117 – Mark Davidson
#121 – Warren Strange
#181 – Simon Harslett
Interesting superstitions – from the Dakar site
“According to tradition, the title holder in the bike category wears the number 1. However, after an initial glance at the list of participants, eagle-eyed readers will have noticed that this year this honour has been granted to Marc Coma, who strangely was 15th in the last edition. After a rapid inquiry, it would appear that this starting hierarchy is the wish of Cyril Despres himself. Usually not particularly superstitious, the three times winner followed a fairly logical line of thinking before asking the organisers for this special dispensation: “In my garage, the bikes from my three victories are parked side by side and they all bear the number 2. I thought it would be nice if I could add a fourth, so I asked for this small favour. Since Marc is the current world champion in the discipline, it was fairly coherent that he inherited the number 1 and fortunately he agreed to it”. It is uncertain whether the Catalan is a believer in numerology, but during his two successes, in 2006 and 2009, he was also riding with the number 2. Indeed, to find a rider who triumphed with the number 1 plate, you have to look back through the archives to 2002 and the victory of Fabrizio Meoni.”
Some pics courtesy of Glenn Brown.
Pics – the container arrives
Dec 30th
Finally, after days waiting for the workplace demonstrations and blockades to end at the docks, the boys gained access to the container.
It had been a nervous wait as 4 days passed – time that had been reserved for preparation of the bikes and service gear.
Bruce Garland’s Isuzu team were using this property as their base once again, so there was twice as much activity going on.
While loading the container had been relatively simple – container on the ground, with forklift and side loader truck – the process of unloading required a little bit of creative thought. Work Cover inspectors need not look…
Bruce Garland's D-Max being rolled out on to a tilt-tray truck, held up with forklifts.
The D-Max seeing daylight for the first time in a month.
Tilt-tray truck has driven off from the container and prepares to unload the D-Max
Forklifts now positioned to lift the container clear of the freight truck.
Container ready for lowering.
Engine ready to go into the D-Max. Although it looks "last minute" it is probably not that uncommon due to the lack of access during shipping time.
Happy days as the GHR container is opened for the first time since the beginning of November.
Jacob's bike emerging. Thankfully everything was perfectly intact.
Getting ready to lift off with the forklift.
Pallecons and bikes unloaded.
A little bit of Australia. Come on Aussie!
The boys then got straight down to the final preparations. Scrutineering will be the next step in the next 24 hours.
Getting very close now!
Pics – base camp in Buenos Aires
Dec 29th
The first of the crew arrived safely a week ago, and have been staying at a private farm about 30 minutes from the coast.
Everyone is doing well.
Bruce Garland has stayed at the same place previously, so they were well prepared for another bunch of Aussies. Glenn has been appointed as the interpreter for all cross cultural communications, and is now fluent in Spanglish, Franglish and general hand gestures. The crew often default to Glenn’s expertise when a quick language lesson in on their mobile phone translation services don’t succeed in getting the point across.
There were some frustrating delays in gaining access to the container due to workplace disputes and blockades at the docks. Political demonstrations are not uncommon in Argentina, but the timing was source for concern. It did, however, allow important time to grow accustomed the time difference, play soccer and swim! Buenos Aires is a very busy place, so having space out of the bustle to sort out final preparation has been appreciated.
Home needs somewhere to hide from the heat...
a cheerful caterer...
tasty food...
somewhere to sleep...
cold beer...
open spaces...
and a pool if you're lucky!
Safety – Sentinel explained
Dec 28th
A bit of background information on the safety equipment fitted to all competitors’ vehicles.
We’re off!
Dec 22nd
The GHR team 15 minutes before leaving Australia.
No denying it’s happening now. The first of the riders and crew have just boarded their plane at Sydney.
In approximately 12 hours they touch down in Buenos Aires, ready to get started on setting up.
It’s beginning!
Transmoto interview: Glenn Hoffmann on Dakar preparations and support
Dec 21st
Dakar Prep: Glenn Hoffmann from Transmoto Magazine on Vimeo.
Transmoto Magazine did an extensive interview with the owner of GHR Honda, Glenn Hoffmann, covering the history of the company and the work required to enter the Dakar Rally. If you’re interested in the Dakar we recommend sitting back, relaxing and watch the whole thing. Thanks to Transmoto for the link.
Rider Profile: Jacob Smith
Dec 20th
Name: Jacob Smith.
Age: 21 – turning 22 a couple of days before the race start.
Home town: Condoblin, born and raised with most of my family here too.
Occupation: Recently qualified linesman working in the district.
Ed: Jacob, thanks for talking to me – I know you’re in the closing stages of packing up to fly out to Buenos Aires. For the readers out there, I’d like to ask you some quick questions about your background and how you came to be where you are with your push on Dakar. When did you start riding?
JS: I started young at about two and a half years old riding my sister’s PW50. It was pink, but I raced it. I started racing at about three and a half. The whole family were into bikes.
Ed: When did you first consider going to Dakar?
JS: Serious thoughts of Dakar started straight after the Australian Safari in 2009. I’d always followed the Dakar and used to watch guys like Andy (Caldecott) and David Schwartz and dreamed of going. But it was only when Glenn called and said he wanted to do it and was considering taking me that I thought it was a possibility. I talked to my Dad about it – he’s always been a massive support and sounding board for decisions – and we decided it was the right time. There was never any thought that I would go with anyone other than GHR. Serious discussions started earlier this year.
Ed: What preparations have you made for Dakar?
JS: Obviously I was concerned when I crashed in the Safari this year, but my injuries were far less of a problem than I thought they would be. I came good faster than I thought I would and I am 100% now. I’ve been training with Jim Cole who works with Stephen Gall, and focussing on endurance work more than I had before. I am still lots of gym work for strength, but for Dakar I’ve been doing swimming and cycling for aerobic fitness. Because it’s been raining so much I’ve not done as much riding as I would have done otherwise, but I’ve still done a bit of riding with my brother who also lives in town. We always like to ride together for training. I’ve done been some prep and testing work with GHR. We tested at Stockton and the bike felt really stable with the extra weight but still turned and handled like a completely stock 450. The settings based on the what we used in Safari felt great. GHR have done all the mechanical work and the 450 has been so good on Safari, I guess I really just want to get over there and do it.
Ed: How did you explain to your boss what you wanted to do on your Christmas holidays?
JS: (Laughs…) Actually my boss races bikes too, so he’s been really supportive. His first comment was “what a great opportunity”. Early on in the year we looked at how much leave I had and he’s backed me up all the way. I’m taking a week’s leave without pay, but to go and do this I’d take the whole time without pay if I had to! I’m really grateful for what I am about to go and do. I do stop and think about that. I’m aware that the Dakar is something that heaps of riders dream about but I’m one of the lucky ones who who gets to go. My family, everyone really, have been extremely supportive.
Ed: What are you expecting from the event?
JS: I aim to finish, most of all. A strong result would be good but it’s a big ask to go there first time and do well. It’s a tough event so I have to pace myself. Other than that I am there to learn as much as I can.
Rider Profile: Simon Harslett
Dec 20th
Simon Harslett. 43. GHR Honda Dakar 2010 Team Member.
Ed: What do you do for a living?
SH: I’m a mechanical manager in the oil and gas industry. Although the work is all over the world, it now allows me to work from home in Geraldton. It’s a good balance. We returned from the middle east around June or July of 2009 just to be back with family. My wife is a school teacher, and we have two girls. Being able to work as a consultant home was a welcome change to working as an expatriate for the last 15 or 18 years. It’s good to be back and to live a normal life once more. It was primarily a family decision but the other was that it has enabled me to pick up my bike racing again.
Ed: When did you start racing?
I started when I was about 12. It’s always been a passion of mine and I’ve always ridden as much as I could. Now that I’m home I’ve also been able to put a lot back into the community and the local clubs. People have always helped me along the way so it’s good to be at a point in life where I can reciprocate. My private life has really revolved around racing since I was about that age. I shudder to think of how many motorcycles I have worn out.
Ed: When did the Dakar dream start for you?
SH: It was probably 1994. I was in Mali and Mauritania for work and I actually saw the Dakar competitors go past me. I watched Stephan Petterhansel and the others all fly by. I knew what it was and I thought that looks alright! Ever since then I’ve followed the race religiously. I went as a spectator to the start of the 2007 event in Lisbon and I just thought “this is me”. We came back to Australia and bought the bikes we needed – KTM 690 Rallye bikes – and rode the 2007 Australian Safari on those. I came 19th which I thought was respectable considering it was a bike I’d never ridden before and they’d been air freighted from Austria just the week before. In 2008 I didn’t race because of work commitments, but I raced the Safari in 2009 as a privateer and came 9th in spite of some mechanical problems.
Earlier, I had plans to do Dakar in 2009 but I just hadn’t ridden enough due to work and travel commitments. I was lucky that life didn’t just revolve around just making a dollar anymore at that stage and I knew I had good pace, so I just decided it had to be 2011. I spoke with GHR early in 2010 about a package for the Safari and Glenn asked me if I’d be interested in a package for Dakar too. He hardly needed to finish the sentence. I just said “yeah! tell me what I need to do!”. It proceeded pretty quickly from there. Within a week or two we were committed. Initially when expenses were discussed, Glenn was concerned that we would baulk at the package cost. But we’d already run the numbers too, and to campaign it alone without all the support and having to build the bikes yourself… well that’s the sort of money it costs. To me it was a no brainer. It was obvious that he’d put a lot of thought into and I was happy to step back knowing that all the support, transport and servicing was taken care of. This is what he’s been doing on a domestic level for years. I’m a believer that an Australian can eventually win the event, but it’s a long way from home so having this sort of support is vital.
Ed: Tell me about your preparation for the event?
SH: I’ve had a bike for some time that’s identical to what we’re campaigning at Dakar. It’s a GHR built bike. I’ve been riding that up to 3,000km a week and maintaining it for the last 3 months. I slowed down my work and put a lot of it on the back burner until February. I basically focussed on riding. Gym work was something that I hated, so instead I would spend from 6.00 in the morning until 4.00 or 5.00 in the afternoon on the bike. I’d routinely do 800km days and to me that was it. 800k’s, and just keep knocking it out! I got to the point that I’d go out riding and meet up with other people half way. They would do 400km and just be shattered. But I could happily just get on the bike again in the morning and do it all again. That was the main thing, just spending huge amounts of time on the bike.
Two weeks ago was the turning point for me, when I realised that everything was done. I was out riding about 150km from Geraldton on these little back tracks I’d come to know well, just smiling to myself. I realised that every extra day riding these tracks I’d been pushing harder and harder and I wondered “what are you doing this for… you’re not going to learn anything now”. I realised that I was just riding because I liked doing it. I’d damaged my shoulder badly in August but was supposed to be doing the Safari this year. It occurred to me that riding the Safari would not be a prudent decision. If I came off again and made it worse then I’d not make it to Dakar. As hard as it was for someone like me, I stayed off the bike until October.
I know my riding ability. I may not be the fastest and I am way too old for that. But it comes down to knowing your own abilities – in terms riding and mechanical competence – and looking after yourself. I must have done close to 30,000km in the last 3 months. The toughest day on the bike isn’t likely to be the day you win. The toughest day will be the day you come in 30th or 40th and you’ve worked hard just to get there. I know I’m just going to have to chip away and that’s what I’ve been preparing myself for.
Ed: Glenn talks about “guaranteeing experiences”… What are you expecting for the event?
SH: Well that would be right. To get all four bikes home would be wonderful, and you know what? There’s no reason it can’t happen. Luck does pay a factor, but I was talking to a friend of mine, Rob Pollard, who raced the event last year. He said to me the other day, “you make your own luck”. If you’ve got all your preparation done, and you’re meticulous at what you do, that’s how you make your luck. You have everything squared away before you start and then all you have to do is ride your bike and look after yourself. You don’t have to worry so much because you’ve got all these passionate people there to support you.
Ed: I’ve asked the others how they got their “leave passes” from their bosses, but it’s different for you.
SH: The people we work with have known for a long time that I am doing this. The main thing they want to know is how do they find out what I’m up to and keep in touch. That’s been more important to them than keeping themselves in the loop business wise. I’m going to fire out an email tomorrow night to tell them to watch the website and the blog. It’s the small things that people miss and it’s going to be great if they can see how everything works in the race.
Ed: So you fly out when?
SH: I leave Perth at 11.30 on 22 December and meet everyone at Sydney airport that night. We’re in Perth right now catching up with a few people, but then we’re done. We had an early Christmas at home with the kids last week. My wife is taking the kids to Darwin for “the real Christmas” with family and then she’s flying over at the end of the event to come and join me. We’ll be apart on the day, but I’m going to be a with a great bunch of blokes in Buenos Aires and that’s just fine. My Dad is also coming to see me at the end. Everything is packed and we’re ready to go. It’s going to be a wonderful thing.
Ed: I’ll leave you to it and I won’t wish you luck because you’ll make your own.
SH: That’s how it works! I would like to add something which I read sometime ago and it typifies what my mind set is:
“All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it’s vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible.”
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