His Dakar Classic as a scout, in dantesque weather conditions

say ofArnaud Villadere that he loves thrills is an understatement. To tell the truth, the boss of the company of Chartres (Eure-et-Loir) Aegis-Civis expert in security and cybersecurity but also of Pôle sensations has adrenaline flowing freely in the veins!

So when he was chosen for the second consecutive year to open the Dakar Classic, he obviously responded. But what he experienced far exceeded his wildest expectations in terms of sensations at the heart of theSaudi Arabia !

The Dakar classic, a big dose of nostalgia

The Dakar classic is the test of fans from the start who thrilled by following the progress of stars in pioneering conditions. The race has remained faithful to this retro spirit and, for this edition, it is even a myth of motor racing which was the ambassador, Jacky Ickx.

But, as for any test of this kind, especially crossing territories which have their own specificities and can experience trouble, it is necessary to have a vehicle scout forty-eight hours in advance. What to gauge the safety of the competition and give green light for the competitors or, conversely, rely on a plan B.

Its crew, callsign India 11, left ahead of the event. Arnaud at the wheel, Vasken, a 63-year-old former legionnaire from Syria as co-pilot and translator.

Through the dunes of Saudi Arabia

With an entry ticket of 15,000 euros, this Dakar classic is intended to be more “accessible” for crews of enthusiasts who cannot afford huge stables.

From December 31, 2022 to January 15, 2023150 crews experienced unique sensations.

They wanted dunes, they got them! The event has existed for three years, I was already on it last year. It is very special because we rub shoulders with lots of different pairs, female, male, father and son, mother and daughter… And clearly it was much more challenging than last year.

In 2021 the event was shaken by a attack in Jeddah so the security conditions this year were even more advanced.

“We were staying in a sea camp near the Red Sea totally secure, hermetic to the outside world,” emphasizes Arnaud.

48 hours in total autonomy

Arnaud and Vasken therefore had the task of setting off on the route planned 48 hours in advance to identify any risks.

We leave with a fully equipped pick-up with emergency jerry cans, a compressor, first aid kit, GPS beacons and the helicopter less than two hours away. We had to take the temperature with the local tribes, the shepherds, the nomadic populations. We make a sort of caravan where we bring them objects that they might need.

If they realize that passing the test can be a problem, they then recommend a plan B to the race marshals.

A beautiful but eventful human adventure

Arnaud retains above all “a magnificent human adventure with very strong exchanges with these local populations, it is also a sacred dose of humility in the face of people who have nothing and give everything so we offered t-shirts, water, food.

The unexpected actually came from the sky with the elements simply breaking loose!

Hail, rain, downpours, strong winds… When in Europe we spent Christmas on the balcony, the Dakar Classic experienced an accumulation of weather events “so much so that the locals were filming, they had never seen it! »

“Crazy conditions, the best of the Dakars! »

But for a thrill seeker like Arnaud, in his eyes “it was the best of the Dakars since the start of the event. »

Because we had to get out of all the comfort zones, losing our bearings, “we no longer had something dry, we were always soaked”.

Preparations took place from December 26 to 30 for a departure on January 1. “And from the first days we hit a huge dune with a very steep descent… but the weather was still nice! »

A short-lived good weather since on the third day they discover dantesque conditions almost every day. “Our last bivouac we had mud up to the top of the ankles”.

Except that everyone was getting bogged down, there were alerts for everyone to leave the wadis. So much so that the competitors had to receive help from the army.

Eleven to twelve hours of track per day

On board their Isuzu Id Max pick-up they traveled approximately 7000 km at a rate of eleven to twelve hours of track with an average of 80-100 km/h when everything was going well but more often in the 50 km/h range.

“We had non-stop 5 p.m. days, but in the end with a huge smile, Vasken and I, because we found ourselves in barely believable conditions,” says Arnaud, who cites, among his fondest memories. a bivouac for the whole event “in the middle of the desert, under a tent with a big fire in the middle, in the spirit of the original race”.

Besides, he received a very positive message from the race director, in other words he has already raised his finger for next year!

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