Rick Hatswell is one of very few Canadians to have ever attempted the Dakar Rally, a 10,000KM journey across Argentina and Chile.  He is primarily sponsored by Craftsman Collision and many other important sponsors.  Please view the links to their websites and use their services and products.  These companies believe strongly in the Human spirit that Rick will bring to this years race.

The Dakar Rally is an annual rally raid type of off-road race covering over 10,000KM, organized by the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO). Most events since the inception in 1978 were from Paris in France to Dakar in Senegal, but due to political instability in Africa, the 2009 Dakar Rally was run in South America, the first time the race took place outside of Europe and Africa.  It will return to South America in 2010.  The race is open to amateur and professional entries; amateurs typically make up about eighty percent of the participants.

Most of the competitive special sections are off-road, crossing dunes, mud, camel grass, rocks among others. The distances of each stage covered vary from short distances up to 800–900 kilometers per day.

The race will kick off on January 2^nd 2010 and for Rick his vision of the Dakar rally and the prospect of racing in South America are within focus.  With less than a year remaining it is time to get down to the business of preparation.

To organize for this massive event Rick will be training locally and in the USA with Rally Management Services(They currently manage Jonah Street who is expected to win this year’s event). He will also compete in the 2009 Shamrock Rally of Morocco in late October.  There has been a film crew following Rick on his training preparation that will be producing a documentary to be propositioned to various networks.