In preparation for the 2011 Dakar, the recently announced factory team of Mark Jennings-Bates and Mick Extance take a different approach to preparation. For Jennings-Bates, the task is simple... leave no option available for failure. “When we looked at this task, it was clear that from a driver standpoint, I had to ensure that I will be in the peak physical and mental state possible for the start of the Dakar”.

At Pinnacle Elite Athlete (http://www.pinnacleelite.com), in Kelowna BC Canada, Jennings-Bates www.Rally4Life.org trains with his strength and conditioning coach, Leanne Manlove, who designs him a program that will take him to the ulitmate level of conditioning required for his event, which will see him in the cockpit of a Bowler Nemesis for 15 days for 16-18 hours per day. “For us, this was a unique and exciting challenge. Mark spoke to us about the rigours of surviving this race and we have designed a program that will give him the best option for success in the Dakar” added Manlove.

Jennings-Bates, as part of his training has just finished his first triathlon race at the Kelowna Apple Triathlon along with 1400 other athletes and will partake in one more end of season triathlon race. Extance, on the other hand is continuing to keep himself “bike fit” by pushing his body to the limit in 24 hour endurance races, most recently the 24 hour Dawn to Dusk enduro in North Wales... “having competed in the Dakar several times, I know what it takes to get in shape and stay there, and for me, this is it” said Extance, co-driver for the team. “I had the opportunity to enter the event with my son Adam and didn’t delay”. Aside from being so successful as Britain’s top rider in the Dakar, Mick also runs the “Honda Mick Extance Offroad Experience” training riders in preparation for offroad challenges.

At the same time as preparing physically for the arduous task the team is busy with logistics, arranging commercial partnerships, filming a documentary for multi platform distribution and on September 19th, showing up at Castle Coombe's very popular Rallyday to give the Bowler Nemesis a run in front of the crowds. “We are looking forward to making some new friends and getting to know some of the Dakar and Bowler fans. From what I have heard, Rallyday is a great experience and it will be a privilege to be present at such a prestigious event” said Jennings-Bates

Canadian rally driver Mark Jennings-Bates teams up with Dakar veteran Mick Extance next week in the UK to get an introduction to the vehicle they will be driving in the 2011 Dakar for the Bowler-Offroad team

Jennings-Bates who has been active in the Canadian rally scene since 2005 has teamed up with Dakar veteran, Extance for his latest adventure, the Dakar Rally in 2011. Extance, who is the highest placed Briton in the Dakar and holds numerous records from his several attempts so far has agreed to co-drive for the team, something that Jennings-Bates feels is critical to their success. “As far as I am concerned, the person in that co-drivers seat is driving the car as much as any driver. Without complete cooperation between the driver and the co-driver and an instinctual understanding of how each other works, the optimal speeds for each day of the event can never be attained. As Derek Ringer, WRC co-driver once stated, driving fast in rally is the easiest thing to do! Finishing and placing high is not easy. I am really excited that Mick has agreed to share his wisdom of this prestigious event and work with us” said Jennings-Bates.

Canadian Rally Race Team “Rally4Life” accepts prestigious invitation from Bowler Offroad to drive factory car in DAKAR 2011

What is the difference between “competing” and “completing” in a race like the DAKAR?

More than simply a letter in the alphabet - as rally duo Mark Jennings-Bates and Mick Extance recently came to find out. The difference is a complete change of focus for their 2011 attempt at the Dakar Rally; now that prestigious “Bowler Offroad” has offered them a factory team vehicle for the race.

“The opportunity of a lifetime” is how driver Jennings-Bates describes recent discussions with the international vehicle manufacturer. “Our co-driver (Extance) has always been keen to convey to Bowler the nature of our campaign and he was confident we could be working with them in some form of relationship.”

That relationship is now flourishing with the offer of a factory supported team attempt. “It means our strategy has changed radically to one of competing closer to the front of the pack then we ever envisioned; although the focus naturally remains on finishing”, stated Jennings -Bates.

Local’s on Canadian Team gear up for Canada’s first ever car entry in 2011 DAKAR Rally.

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, March 11th 2009. Local businessman Marks Jennings-Bates and his team are working to become the first-ever Canadian car entrant into the internationally renowned Dakar race, while raising over four million dollars for charity in the process.

The Dakar Rally (formerly known as The Paris-Dakar or "Paris to Dakar Rally") is an annual off-road automobile race open to
amateur and professional entries and organized by the Amaury Sport Organization. As an endurance race (called a “rally-raid”
versus a conventional rally) the terrain is extreme, where off-road competitive sections cross intense dunes, mud, camel grass and rocks; and vehicles are true off-road vehicles rather than the modified sedans usually used in rallies. The distances of each stage vary and can reach eight to nine hundred kilometers per day. Jennings Bates and his team are slated to attend the DAKAR in January of 2011 in Chile.