Fallbrook CA 1/20/2011 – Roll Design equipped riders Alejandro Patronelli (#252) and Sebastian Halpern (#255) would dominate the 2011 DAKAR rally, held in South America. The Roll Design/Elka combination was the perfect setup with over 5900 Miles (9500 KM) spread out amongst 13 stages to claim the top 2 spots respectively. The DAKAR is by far the most grueling off-road race on the planet. Suspension setup is key, as the race crosses every kind of terrain offered in the southern portion of South America.

Checkout the official Route: http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2011/us/route.html

Alejandro would claim multiple stage wins aboard his Yamaha Raptor 700 at the DAKAR. But in the 5th Stage of the rally problems would arise as an incident occurred that broke Alejandro’s hand. With 8 stages still left in the rally, Alejandro was able to continue the race, proving not only the heart of the racer but also the race proven technology of the ROLL DESIGN/ELKA setup. Alejandro would cross the finish line with an impressive 63:49:47 with 16:00 min of penalties to claim the overall victory of the 2011 DAKAR.

Roll Design A-Arms

An emotional Alejandro was quotes as saying “Nothing is the same without my Brother[Marcos]”, as the two brothers Alejandro and Marcus made history in 2010 claiming the 1st and 2nd place finishes putting them in the record books for a long time to come. Marcos cracked his fibula during a training ride in early December while preparing for most famous rally-raid in the world and was unable to compete for this year Dakar.

Sebastian Halpern #255 also aboard a Roll Design/Elka Suspension equipped Yamaha Raptor 700 would claim the second spot crossing the finish just under 1hr to the leader with an official time of 64:49:40 with 00:00 in penalties. Sebastian would cross the finish with a 6 hour and 17 minute gap back to 3rd place.

About ROLL DESIGN

Roll Design manufacturers high-end suspension and handling components for ATV’s. Doug Roll started the company in 1988 with the idea to build the best ATV off-road racing suspensions on the market. After 22 years, Roll Design control arms and steering shafts have won more off-road races, in the toughest conditions such as the Baja and Dakar than any other ATV suspension manufacturer in existence. Roll Design products are 100% made in the USA in Fallbrook, CA with the highest quality standards and components available in the industry. Roll Design is also a USA Factory Authorized Service Center for Elka Suspension.

www.rolldesign.com
www.elkaservicecenter.com
760-731-5920

ABOUT DAKAR
The adventure began back in 1977, when Thierry Sabine got lost on his motorbike in the Libyan Desert during the Abidjan-Nice Rally. Saved from the sands in extremis, he returned to France still in thrall to this landscape and promising himself he would share his fascination with as many people as possible. He proceeded to come up with a route starting in Europe, continuing to Algiers and crossing Agadez before eventually finishing at Dakar. The founder coined a motto for his inspiration: “A challenge for those who go. A dream for those who stay behind.” Courtesy of his great conviction and that modicum of madness peculiar to all great ideas, the plan quickly became a reality. Since then, the Paris-Dakar, a unique event sparked by the spirit of adventure, open to all riders and carrying a message of friendship between all men, has never failed to challenge, surprise and excite. Over the course of almost thirty years, it has generated innumerable sporting and human stories. http://www.dakar.com