Jump to four wheels

Despite obvious differences between the two types of vehicles, swapping from motorcycles to cars is not a rarity in the world of motor sports. John Surtees, the only man who has won world titles in both motorcycle racing and Formula 1, was a pioneer. Today, despite Valentino Rossi's love for all sorts of a auto racing, similar career changes don't happen often in circuit racing. However, cross-country rallying is a completely different ball game. Here such a move is often an obvious career choice.

During this year's LOTTO Baja Poland we can observe the case of Jakub Przygoński. One of the most accomplished Polish motorcycle riders of the Dakar Rally takes on the stages situated around Szczecin and Drawsko Pomorskie in a Mini 4All Racing. And he's not the only driver in the rally with a motorcycle background.

The idea was born after this year's Dakar Rally. I took part in a test and I can say that the Mini team convinced me that this is the right time to make a switch as my age is good and I already have plenty of experience – says Przygoński, since March a 30-year-old. – I've been talking to some drivers, Nani Roma amongst others, and they all switched to cars around 30. In a way I just follow their route – he adds.

A keen drifter in his spare time makes a use of his vast and diverse experience. – My motorcycle background counts the most, because I've been competing on a motorcycle for 17 years. Obviously my drifting experience helps, however you can't let a rally car drift too much, so it's a bit of an opposite – explains Przygoński.

There are some major differences between using both types of vehicles in competition. – On a stage full of stones you need to be really focused and slow down when you're on a motorcycle whereas in a car you just engage sixth gear and keep pushing. By contrast a motorcycle cuts dunes like knife while a car 'surfs' a lot on them – he adds.

Przygoński's team-mates from Marek Dąbrowski and Jacek Czachor, who take part in the rally driving a Toyota Hilux Overdrive, went down a similar route a couple of years ago.

In my opinion there's a great chance that good rider can become a good driver. When it comes to us, initially we just wanted to try cars, but after being better than ever before on motorcycles in our first Dakar Rally we decided to stay – says Dąbrowski.

Amongst this year's LOTTO Baja Poland competitors Maciej Stańco is a pioneer in swapping from two wheels to four. Former GT racer, who has been competing in cross country rallying over the last couple of years, started out in motocross. – I think that it comes with age. You need to have an incredible endurance and health to race on a motorcycle, especially on the Dakar Rally. It's an enormous physical effort. Racing is something that it's hard to give up on, so sometimes swapping to cars is the only way to stay involved – explains Stańco.

On the other hand a switch from two-wheeled vehicle to a four-wheel-drive machine requires significant founding. – Without a doubt competing in the car category is much more expensive than in motorcycles – adds Stańco who, similarly as Dąbrowski, thinks that a good rider can easily get used to a roof over his head and a co-driver's voice in an intercom. – A good competitor should get used to it very quickly and I'm sure that it will be the case with Przygoński – he summs up.

Organizers

Fundacja BAJA POLAND    PZM

Co-Organizers

Szczecin     Dobra Szczecińska     Drawsko Pomorskie

 

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