Rally Global

Another epic Dakar Rally journey ends. With the support of Motorcycling Australia and Hyundai, Australia’s Christophe Barriere-Varju won the hearts of worldwide fans by completing the 2010 Dakar Rally as a privateer racing and taking care of his own mechanics every night on his KTM motorcycle, purchased from KTM Austria.In a race deemed the most dangerous motorsport event in the world, competitors arm themselves with huge teams of mechanics and assistants – but not for Barriere-Varju.

Defying the Dakar demons and fighting sleep depravation, Barriere-Varju, wearing Australian made ZacSpeed protective clothing and racing gears, took on the Dakar Rally head on, with a trunk of spare parts, a tent/sleeping bag, his Mountain Khakis shorts, some spare wheels and his toolbox, and set out to succeed in the toughest and heavily mediatised race across 190 countries.

Followed during his epic journey by filmmaker Simon Lee and his JVC HM100E HD video camera, the emotionally charged “Dream Racer” documentary will reveal unique behind the scene views starting six months before the event until crossing the finish line in Buenos Aires. Lee created a daily blog (http://dreamracer.tumblr.com) during the event that saw every continent follow and join Christophe’s journey as he endured scorching temperatures and hardship of the driest desert on earth, the Atacama Desert. The Dream Racer documentary will show race footage from mounted cameras provided by sportscamera.com.au. The Dream Racer film is already attracting a lot of interest from investors and will begin production in the coming weeks.

Despite suffering a torn abductor on day 2, injury to his sacroiliac on day 6 and a torn tricep on day 11, Barriere-Varju and his mean 2010 signature boxing ‘roo, designed by kittysdrawings.com, continued to climb up the rankings in the heart stopping race, finishing in 56th position overall from more than 180 starters.

The 2010 Dakar Rally was also a homage to Christophe’s childhood personal friend, Alain Florentin, who passed away in December at the age of 37. Alain, nicknamed “Alino”, was a rally co-pilot who won many championships in West Africa. Alino always dreamed of racing the Dakar Rally one day. Alino’s photo adorned Barriere-Varju bike during the event, and the duo was named “Christalino” by friends and family on the Alino Facebook page. Alino’s dream came true on 16 January.

What is next for Barriere-Varju? “it took me three days to go through all the kind messages people left me, from English to Spanish to French. Now I have a few weeks of rest with television and radio interviews before beginning training for the famous worldwide cross-country FIM rally round of the Sertoes Rally in Brazil that will take place in August. My charity, DreamsDoComeTrue.org.au, provides bicycles to Brazilian schools for the kids’ physical education.” His race bike will be shipped by Waiver Logistics.

With the location of the 2011 Dakar soon to be released by ASO, Barriere-Varju is already seeking sponsors and partners to attempt the feat in a single-seater buggy. “I have succeeded in taking on the Dakar Rally head on with a tool-roll. I am now ready for the next challenge, I have a few things in mind for the next few years,” he says.

To relive the rally and daily coverage of the 2010 Dakar Rally, please visit TeamRallyAustralia.com

View the Dream Racer Montage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUzBWIv0zNE

Mountain Khakis provided Team Rally Australia with the bivouac casual clothes.

Contacts:
For sponsorship, interviews and media materials please contact Christophe Barriere-Varju, 0403 444 101

For information about the Dream Racer documentary, please contact Simon Lee 0401 750 069

Christophe Barriere-Varju has met and overcome many challenges and dreamed many dreams on the road to becoming one of the world’s leading off-road motorcycle racers. Born in France, raised in West Africa, and completing his education in California, Christophe started racing at the age of 14, winning legendary status around his hometown of Abidjan in the Ivory Coast for his aerial acrobatics, skills and speed on a motorcycle. He once competed before a crowd of 220,000 spectators (a world first) at the West African Motocross des Nations, which he won five times. The name “Barriere” is known all around West Africa. An inspiration to thousands of fans of all ages, Christophe is renowned for his impeccable riding techniques, and he has trained many riders in Africa, California and now an accredited motorcycle coach in Australia. He lives and trains at Port Stephens, NSW.

“Dream Racer” is a documentary that follows French Australian business consultant Christophe Barriere-Varju’s attempt to complete the world’s most dangerous motor race. Film maker and UNLTD Creative Director Simon Lee chased the 2010 Dakar Rally across Argentina and Chile in a rented Fiat Sienna. Alongside him was Jacob Black – a freelance journalist reporting for SBS.
“Dream Racer explores what it really means to put everything on the line in the pursuit of your dream,” says Lee. “Unlike many Dakar entrants, Christophe is on his own – no team, no mechanic. It’s just him and his bike.”