Bailey On His Way To Dakar

Team Dakar USA, the elite off-road racing group established to operate Gordon’s Dakar efforts, announced today the addition of Dakar veteran and off-road driver Ronn Bailey to its racing platform.
The announcement was made at the Toyo Tires booth at the SEMA trade show, the premier automotive aftermarket industry event.
Bailey, who is CEO of Vanguard Integrity Professionals, an enterprise security software company, will participate in the next three Dakar Rally events as an integral part of Team Dakar USA and more importantly as Gordon’s esteemed teammate.
Part of the reason that Bailey and Gordon joined together was their mutual belief to demonstrate Team Dakar USA’s All-American effort in the world’s most challenging international off-road race.
Winning the race aside, Team Dakar USA’s main objectives will be to highlight American innovation, determination and international goodwill, which are each important to these CEOs.
The upcoming 2008 Dakar Rally will mark both driver’s fourth attempt at winning the world renowned, 16-day event that covers over 6,000 km (3,600 miles) of punishing African terrain.
“Ronn drives fast, hard, and can handle the treacherous terrain and extreme conditions,” Gordon stated.
“Even after he flipped his car in last year’s Dakar Rally, he and his crew rebuilt it and drove to the next checkpoint.
“This is an attribute that speaks highly of him and his commitment to be the best,” said Gordon, who finished eighth overall in the 2007 Dakar Rally earlier this year.
“It’s an exciting day for me and for Vanguard Integrity Professionals, which will also be a proud sponsor of Team Dakar USA for the next three years,” explains Bailey.
“It’s an honor to be driving for this team along side Robby Gordon who no one can question is one of the world’s top off-road racers.
“We will be racing against the largest off-road teams, more than 50 of the words best racers and a lot of great privateers and amateurs.
“While anything can happen in this race, I expect with our combined experience, resources and passion for the race; Robby will win first place overall and I will be on the podium in the top 20 or better.”
The 30th Dakar Road Rally starts in Lisbon on January 5th and ends in Dakar, Senegal on January 20th.
The 2008 Dakar promises to be longer and more punishing than in previous years to commemorate the 30th Dakar event, and has been extended by an additional 1,700 km.
More than one million people are expected to line the routes as the racers head from Lisbon through Spain to Morocco, through Mauritania and into Senegal.
In 2007, 245 motorcycles 180 cars and 85 trucks started the race, while only one-third finished.