The Dakar 2011 is approaching fast for Team BMW Motorrad by speedbrain. Rally Raid routinier Frans Verhoeven, who has been developing the bike all throughout 2010, provided major input when it came to building a competitive race weapon based on the BMW 450 X. Being a multiple stage winner, the Dutchman has a lot of experience regarding the Dakar. He´s certainly a top rider to reckon with. David Frétigné, on the other hand, is a question mark in regards of participating in the 2011 Dakar. The Frenchman injured himself during the Rally Oil Libya Maroc and, although making good progress, will have to see whether doctors give green lights to compete. This may only happen shortly before the start. Meanwhile Jose Helio Gonçalves Rodrigues Filho, also know under the name "Ze Helio", sits in standby mode. The Brazilian already rode for speedbrain in the Rally dos Sertoes. The multi-time rally champ has a lot of knowledge from racing all over South America, he could make an excellent replacement.

Team BMW Motorrad by Speedbrain is working closely with Team Monster Energy X-Raid, which is entering the Dakar 2011 with BMW X3 and Mini All4 Racing cars. Both teams are using synergy effects in the logistics.

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The Monster Energy/BF Goodrich/Terrible Herbst Motorsports Trophy Truck team rebounded from the early exit of one of its two entries to post a solid sixth-place finish in class and seventh overall in the 43rd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race in Baja California, Mexico, November 16-20. Team members Brian Collins and Troy Herbst came from the middle of the field and drove spectacularly in challenging conditions, and their determination paid off as they completed the 1061.69-mile race distance down the Baja peninsula in 20 hours, 49 minutes and 39 seconds, averaging 50.94 mph over the most treacherous terrain in all of motor racing.With a rich legacy in off-road racing that includes back-to-back Baja 1000 wins in 2004 and 2005, Herbst Motorsports was fully prepared to add another win in the legendary race. The team was under the gun right from the start, however, as unfavorable starting positions meant that the drivers of both entries would have their work cut out for them. The number 49 Monster Energy/BF Goodrich/Terrible Herbst Motorsports Trophy Truck driven by Collins and Troy Herbst started 23rd in the field of 292 entries, while the number 19 driven by Tim Herbst and Larry Roeseler started 25th, one minute behind the 49 truck.
Find more Baja 1000 coverage at Puro Off-Road