FIM World Rally-Raid Championship action resumes this weekend at round three of the series – the Sonora Rally in Mexico. Look for Americans to have a home field advantage as Ricky Brabec and Skyler Howes have won here in the past (prior to it being added to the World Championships). Monster Energy Honda Team rider Brabec is practically racing in his backyard. The first American to win the Dakar Rally in the motorbike category is also a record holder in the Sonora Rally, winning in 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
“I am stoked that the championship is coming close to home for me,” says Brabec. “It's comfortable for me to head down to Mexico and race, especially since I have done so well there. It's not gonna be easy, we have all teams joining in on this but hopefully we can give our best job and come out on top. Sonora Rally is full of the unknown and typically it's a fun event to attend, with great trails, dunes, food and people. Happy to head this way here in one week and hope to have a good result before our summer break.”
Although the five-stage event is new to the championship and many of the riders, Howes returns as reigning champion having won the event last year and will be looking to use his experience to his advantage. Runner-up at the Sonora Rally in 2021, Skyler went on to claim victory in 2022 and now looks forward to returning to Mexico and his favorite event.
“Sonora is where I got my start in rally, it’s also the reason I got to ride Dakar after winning the Dakar Challenge, so it holds a special place for me,” says Howes. “To be able to race across beaches and the other cool terrain and to have tacos in the bivouac is fantastic. I’m hoping that now it’s a world championship race. It doesn't lose too much of its charm, but I’m sure they’re still going to put on an epic event.
“I’m really excited to share a race I love so much with the rest of the world. It’s such a fun event for me, I’m going to treat it like any other race we do – enjoy the experience, race as hard as I can, and hopefully arrive at the finish in a good position,” Howes adds. “It’s going to be hot this year, which will add a bit more of a challenge this time, but I’m excited to be here with the whole team and ready to give it a go.”
With its April date promising hot temperatures in the Sonoran Desert, the event’s five stages, covering over 2,000 kilometres, look set to challenge all competitors with a mixture of terrain that ranges from soft, rolling sand dunes and open beaches to rocky riverbeds and fast tracks. In total, 1,249 kilometres of timed special await the riders starting with stage one on Monday, April 24 through to the fifth and final stage on Friday, April 28.
