The Sonora Rally is the largest navigation rally in North America and styled after the iconic Dakar Rally. Taking place over 5 stages and traversing the Sonora region of Mexico, it features rugged desert and saguaro forests, to runs down the coast before finishing with 2 days in the sand dunes for a true Dakar off piste experience. The Sonora is a recognized qualification race for the Dakar and the breeding ground for multiple take racers, some of whom have gone on to become factory riders for the top manufacturers. Darren Skilton and Erin Lee combine their love for rally with their passion for the Sonora region to host not just an incredible race, but a cultural experience.
In 2022 I finally managed to make it to the start line for my first rally after a few false starts during Covid. After completing our Africa trip down the old Paris Dakar route through North Africa, I become enamoured with the idea of rally. You ride for days and weeks through incredible terrain and landscapes with a community of likeminded people, experiencing rich cultures and have a safety backup. I was hooked on the concept and after Sonora, hooked on racing.
After all was said and done, I finished as the top rookie, 2nd in the Enduro Division and 9th overall.