Stassen aims to navigate his way to Dakar

Yes, madness, and once you have watched an in-bakkie video you will agree. The ability to change a tyre in less than one minute can be the difference between 1st, 2nd or 3rd place on the podium. In this type of racing, the winning margins can be counted in a 10ths, 100ths or a couple of seconds. Add to this the navigator’s ability – or lack thereof – to call 20 to 25 precise route directions – from pace notes or GPS, per kilometre and in such a manner to present the driver with a clear picture of what his next action should be, requires a multitasking ability beyond the norm.

Well-known Lowvelder Danie Stassen, has been navigating various superb rally drivers since 2002.

He is known as the storytelling navigator – clear, precise, constant and on point.

When he was 10 years old his heroes were, and still are, Kassie Coetzee – Hannes Grobler, and Glynn Hall, to name but a few. The years since then have added Giniel de Villiers, Chris Visser, Evan Hutchison, Steven Peterhansel, Carlos Sainz, Henk Lategan, Richard Leeke and others.

With more than 12 Toyota 1000 desert races behind him, many other off-road SACCS events and a wealth of experience, his unfading dream to participate in the Dakar Rally is within reach. And just the thought is enough to make him cry – often!

He was recently enlisted in the Toyota Gazoo Racing SA team as the navigator for Shameer Variawa. They have also just finished 6th overall in the recent Toyota Gazoo Racing SA (TGRSA) 1000 Desert Race, and 6th in the FIA class. This event was held in the Northern Cape. “This event, in terms of its toughness and in Africa, is second only to the Dakar Rally,” said Danie.

“There has been talk of me joining the Toyota Gazoo Racing SA team for some time and it was a tough decision. But my dream won the day.

I am still struggling to comprehend the enormity of this opportunity though. Navigating for Evan Hutchison in the Motorite team (7 years) was all on a different and professional level. “The professionalism, the technology, methodologies and communication within the Gazoo team is upping the notch yet another level. Internationally they can compete with the best. Most humbling for me is the fact that all the drivers I have navigated for and who taught and mentored me, support this move to the Gazoo team 100% – it is absolutely amazing!”

“Physical and mental fitness at this level of racing is critical – so yes, I am back in the gym. Settling into the team is the easy part as I have known many of the team members for a number of years. Hopefully, we will be able to test the new spec Dakar Rally bakkie soon. The team has just two weeks before the TGRSA rally and started to build the new bakkie which Henk Lategan raced with in the TGRSA event. Testing is intense, demanding and ongoing. The camaraderie is amazing and Shameer and I can’t wait to drive, win, qualify and compete in the Dakar in 2022.”

Photos: Supplied