Boorman to race Dakar

Charley Boorman will enter the 2006 Telefonica Dakar Rally on a BMW F650 GS Dakar.

The actor has ridden around the globe with close friend Ewan McGregor for the Long Way Round series, but now intends to take on the world’s toughest motorsport event.

“The Long Way Round was one of the hardest and most satisfying ‘big trips’ that I think every biker would like to achieve at some point in their lives,” said Boorman. “However, competing in the Dakar is really going to take me to another level.”

Boorman will ride alongside experienced Dakar racer Si Pavey on BMW F650 GS Dakar machines. Pavey has completed the even three times, and as BMW’s Off-Road Skills Course Cheif Instructor, he trained Boorman during preparation for the Long Way Round.

“It’s quite a high requesty to ask any rider to compete in the Dakar and expect them to finish,” said Pavey. ” However, I’ve been training with Charley for over six weeks now and we have a consistent programme in place. His basic riding ability is good and improves every day. The msot important factor is Charley wants to compete and has ssuch great determination.”

The Dakar will begin on December 31, 2005, with Boorman, Pavey and an as yet unamed team-mate on a startline in Lisbon. Their aim will be to arrive in Dakar in Senegal 6,000 miles and 16 days later. In 2004, 230 bikes started the event, but only 104 finisheded.

The project will be covered in a book and on television, with a series to be broadcast on Sky One in 2006.