While the Dakar is ultimately an individual competition, sportsmanship is as important as performance. So unlike other series, competitors regularly pull over to let others by, even if that does mean receiving a shower of stones as they pass…
Video: Here’s what happens when you let a car pass you in the Dakar
In this painful onboard, quad no. 260, Carlos Alejandro Verza, graciously moves over to allow the JCW Mini of Orlando Terranova and co-driver Ronnie Graue to pass, but in doing so he receives a faceful of fesh-fesh and a painful shower of shrapnel.
Remaining completely unfazed, the VERZA Rally Team Yamaha quad rider dips his head through the dust without altering his course. Quite an achievement when you’re speeding across an uneven surface at speed.
The clip was filmed yesterday on stage four of the 2020 Dakar Rally, which comprised a 672km total route, 453km of which was timed. Departing from the coastal route that started the rally, competitors wound South from Neom to Al-`Ula facing varied terrain, dramatic vistas and cultural delights in the form of the historic Nabatean temples.
Quad rider Verza has yet to finish today’s stage, but finished yesterday in 17th position, sitting 16th in the overall rankings, 7 minutes and 12 seconds behind the leader.
Meanwhile, Terranova, the only Argentinean competitor in the car category has finished today in 10th, and sits in fifth overall, just 23 minutes and 13 seconds behind leader Carlos Sainz Sr.

Join our motorsport community
Get closer to motorsport at Goodwood! Join the GRRC Fellowship to be first in the queue for event tickets, to attend the GRRC-only Members' Meeting and to enjoy year-round, exclusive benefits.