RMJ Rally Sport Competing in the 2017 Sonora Rally

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2-Time Baja Rally UTV Champion Bob Jones, with navigator Larry Dysert,will be competing in the 2017 Sonora Rally with the RMJ Rally Sports Polaris RZR 1000.

Bob Jones (Jasper, Alberta) has been involved with motorsports for 35 years, and is an expert motorcycle rally racer, having competed in world rally raid events in Ecuador, Morocco, and Tunisia. In 2015, Bob switched to 4 wheels to compete in the 2015 Baja Rally winning the inaugural UTV Class, and followed that victory with another in the 2016 Baja Rally. Teaming again with navigator Larry Dysert (Camas, Washington), also an accomplished motorcycle racer, the team is looking forward to the challenge of the 2017 Sonora Rally.

Bob and Larry will be supported by Harry Taylor (chief mechanic), Robbie Nuttall (mechanic), Janet Jones (logistics), and Kate Lamothe (photography).

The team is sponsored by:
Midstate Power Sports - Redmond, OR
Precision Concepts - British Columbia, Canada
Freedom Powersports - Alberta, Canada
Peak Investments

Larry and Bob at the finish of the 2016 Baja Rally

 

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For the organizers, the idea behind the creation of Sonora Rally is to build an event to spur the growth of rally raid-type events in North America. There are iconic rally raids on every continent except North America, so there was a need to build an event where all types of racers and enthusiasts can learn, compete and discover new challenges. Most importantly, it emphasizes competitive racing with challenging navigation: only a road book, odometer and compass will be permitted for the riders and navigators to find their way.

“We are very proud of the progress our team has made in bringing the Sonora Rally to the next level of adventure and execution,” explained rally director and two-time Dakar class winner Darren Skilton. “… our inclusion in the prestigious Dakar Challenge are strong indications we are on the right path for the future.” The Dakar Challenge provides the winner of the motorcycle division with a free entry to the Dakar Rally. Next year, it is anticipated that the Dakar Challenge will be applied to the 4-wheel classes.

As with most rally-raid events, the actual race course is never published in any form, and never known by the racers until they are on it in the race. Roadbooks for each stage are handed out the evening before that stage is to be raced, so there is little time to study it, and no opportunity to pre-run it. The course is not marked, and no GPS tracks will be provided, nor allowed. And since the whole event is held in a region few if any of the competitors have ever been to, there will be no “past experience” to give local knowledge advantage to one competitor over another. Twenty-year Baja racing veterans won't know the course any better than newcomers to Mexico. For 2017, the Sonora Rally is being held March 21-24.

 

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RMJ Rally Sport is ready to race!!!