Don Hatton and his very bent Dakar Rally bike.

Cowichan Valley rider Don Hatton, has entered the 2009 Morocco Rally set to start October 19, 2009, as he charts his return to Dakar.

“I’m glad to be racing again” Don says.

Don Hatton explains the damage the Dakar wrought.

He was severely injured on stage 5 of the 2009 Dakar Rally held in Argentina in January 2009.

“I just recently got my medical clearance from the FIM – the governing body for motorcycle rally racing including the Dakar – and I am ready to get back racing”

Don competed in the 2008 Morocco Rally successfully completing the seven day endurance event in 127th place.

Don will be racing for England’s Patzy Quick race team on a KTM690. Patzy Quick is famous for being the first English women rider to complete the grueling 14 day Paris Dakar Rally and by being featured in the TV series Race to Dakar.

Don is planning to compete in this years Dakar race starting on January 1, 2010. He will be riding a specially prepared KTM motorcycle which will be built in the show room of Duncan Motorsports, a local motorcycle dealership which Don and his wife Natalie purchased earlier this year.

“We are inviting the public to come and see Bernie my mechanic build the bike to race specifications right in the show room. For anyone interested in motorsports, not just motorcycle racing, it should be very interesting and informative”

For more information check out http://www.destinationdakar.ca

– Photos: Glenn Simmons