Name: Chris Birch
Date of Birth: September 25, 1980
Nationality: New Zealand
Machine: KTM 450 Rally Replica
Debut: 2012 Mar del Plata (Argentina) to Lima (Peru)
2012 Dakar Number: #110
Although it’s Chris Birch’s first attempt at the Dakar that doesn’t stop him already having legendary status in the discipline of Enduro riding. Chris was winning Expert Class titles while he was still a teenager and has dominated his domestic scene with five New Zealand Enduro Championships to his name.
It’s not just among fellow Kiwis that Chris’s skills are respected though. He has won the Roof of Africa Rally three times and also tasted success at Red Bull Romaniacs. Chris has also showed off his skills at Red Bull Sea to Sky, Red Bull City Scramble and Red Bull Last Man Standing.
Having raced all over the world it’s clear that Chris regards the globe as his own personal rally raid playground. With few challenges left to conquer Chris comes to Argentina for his first taste of the Dakar Rally.
In an effort to get amongst Dakar conditions as much as possible in the build-up to the race Chris moved himself to Africa at the start of 2011. Birchy’s introduction to the Dakar could see the sands of time running out for the bikers who normally dominate the category.
Fast Fact: Chris will be racing for the Alfie Cox Team and is great friends with the South African with three Dakar podium finishes. Alfie will be behind a wheel XC60 RR Volvo at his 13th Dakar.
Pillow Talk: “I’ve done nearly every rally out there but the Dakar remains the ultimate race. It’s a huge challenge and when I got the chance to give it a go I just couldn’t say no. The Dakar is a lot different from the Extreme Enduro I’m used to. I’ve been training in the dunes of Namibia but for me the real challenge is the length of the race. With so much to do during a Dakar I just don’t know when I’m going to get the chance to sleep! The main ambition is to finish and a top 20 finish would suit me fine.”
Predrag Vuckovic/Red Bull Photofiles
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