The number of Americans competing in the Dakar Rally increases year after year, and the 2016 edition sees a record number of five motorcycle riders, in addition to four drivers in the car category with the Gordini duos of Robby Gordon/Kellon Walch, and 18-year-old rookie Sheldon Creed/Jonah Street. Of note, both Gordon team co-drivers are off-road motorcycle racing veterans with bike victories in the Dakar Rally among long lists of other championships and Baja wins. With 24-year old Californian Ricky Brabec 8th overall on his factory Honda after the 9th stage, American fans have a frontrunner to cheer for in this new wonder kid. But the list of fellow countrymen tackling Dakar on two wheels is longer thanks to a 100-percent U.S.-comprised team that aims to raise new talent and bring more American riders into the toughest rally in the world in the future. The team is called the ICO Racing/Rally Pan Am Team, and can boast participating in the Daker 11 times. Two years ago, Dave Peckham and Scott Bright took over the team from Charlie Rauseo and Dakar legend Jonah Street. Well known in the Baja and Sonora rallies as the largest squad--with as many as 12 riders--the Ico Racing/Rally Pan Am team stands out as they also provide training and equipment for their riders. 
“We are the only organization in the U.S. that is involved in rallies full time,” said Dave Peckham, owner of ICO, the company that manufacturers the rally odometers for the factory KTM, Husqvarna, Yamaha and Sherco bikes. “Considering the prohibitive costs of the rally, we are just four strong in the Dakar. Phillip Bowman and I are the mechanics, while Ian Blythe (#106), and Scott Bright (#105) are our two pro riders.” Blythe is the 2015 Brazilian Enduro Champion and together with Bright they are winners of multiple medals at the ISDE (International Six Days Enduro). “Endurance and familiarity with international competition are keys to choosing our riders,” adds Peckham. “The Dakar is an extreme race of two weeks, so you need to be a complete rider. Speed alone is not enough.” The team’s choice of riders has paid off, and at the end of Stage 9, as the rally entered the most demanding phase in the dunes of Fiambala, Blythe was in 32nd position in the overall standings and Bright in 57th. 
“My goal is to develop more American competitors and help the Baja and Sonora Rallies grow so that one day they might be part of the Dakar Challenge,” said Peckham. “Blythe won the Dakar challenge in 2015 competing in the Australasian Safari in Australia. He was awarded the $25,000 Dakar entry fee for free, but couldn’t raise enough budget to compete, so we lost the opportunity. I’m happy because this year we could make it happen.” “A bucket-list rider should count on spending $85,000 to do Dakar. This includes a bike, entry fee, support and spare parts,” says co-owner and team rider Scott Bright. “It’s not easy for an American team. Just think about the fact that we had to ship our bikes and chase truck to Le Havre, in France, only then is the shipping price to South America included in our entry fee. In the end, it costs the same to ship directly to Argentina or to France, but the organizer, the ASO, can guarantee smoother customs clearance if it’s included amongst its own shipments. It's only more complicated from a logistics point of view because the vehicles need to be ready one month earlier.” 
“I’m happy but a bit frustrated, because with a private KTM it’s difficult to fight with the factory riders, their bikes are much faster,” said 24-year old Colorado resident Blythe. “The first week of the rally was much faster and dangerous than what I expected. In the second week we tackled the dunes. I was looking forward to them as I was ready for the ‘off piste stages’. Peckham has a training school so we trained a lot in the dunes and also with navigation.” “I’m excited to be here,” said Bright who has been riding motorcycles since he was 12. “It’s my first Dakar. I’m stunned by the support we have from the local people, they really enjoy the sport. There have been long days so far but I had a lot of fun and the landscapes are amazing. It has been a trial. Dakar is a real challenge and I wanted to be part of it. I like the thrill and the adventure. I’ve always got a thrill out of going fast on two wheels. Living on the edge when you push a motorcycle makes me feel alive. Ian and I have competed in several ISDE events and also in the Enduro National Championship; we are teammates but also good friends.” 
The other two Americans competing in the motorcycle class are both HT Husqvarna Rally Raid team-mounted riders, and although you may not yet have heard of Alexander Smith, you surely have heard of his legendary father Malcolm. Following in dad’s footsteps has taught 30-year old Smith a thing or two about suffering for long days in the saddle, having won the Ironman class at the Baja 1000. “The long days are not a problem,” said Smith. “We have a home in Colorado, so I spent a lot of time there adapting to the altitude issue. But the way I prepared really changed after doing the Morocco rally. It was different to what I was expecting. The speeds are much higher than I thought.” The fifth American, Carroll Gittere, is also competing with the HT Husqvarna Rally Raid team. Formally a road racer and Isle of Man TT competitor from Charlotte, North Carolina, this year is Gittere’s first in the Dakar. “When I was accepted in the race back in June, I decided to move to Nevada to train,” Gittere said. “I rented a camper van and left my home in Charlotte. I haven't been home since. I didn't grow up on dirt bikes so I needed to live in the desert. This year, I'll just try to finish it. I have no illusions on my placement.” 
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