It flys through the air with the greatest of ease

[RobertRyan]

Well The Dakar Rally Raid has just finished 6000km over fairly brutal terrain.
It is a " race" more in common with the Roman Gladiatoal Games..Many paticipants and spectator's have been killed.
There are many classes. This Russian Kamaz 10 Ton Truck with a 1000hp Diesel competes in the Truck class . Pickups get slotted into the " car" class
Robby Gordon tried 8 times to win outrght. Best place 3rd. Strphane Peterhansel has won outright 14 times, 6 of those on a bike.
This years outright winner was Calos Sainz a multiple World Rally Champion. It was his 2nd win in the Dakar

[RobertRyan]

Lessmore wrote:
As far as heavy trucks go, I believe the Czech trucks the Tatra have done well in these races. I thought Tatra and International Harvester had some corporate tie up in the manufacture of military trucks. Could be wrong. Sure someone on this forum will know. 

No a US manegement Hedge fund intially bought Tatra. Unfortunately it treated the company very badly, more interested in asset striping. Anyway the Czechs wrested vontrol from them. Tatra is now making profits and proceeding to announce a Euro 6 engine it has been developing.
Tatra specializes in extreme Off Road Mining and Logging vehicles.
INTERNATIONAL HARVESTOR is now owned by FIAT and produces IVECO trucks and Vans

[Lessmore]

I've followed the Paris-Dakar race over the years. I've been more interested in the motorcycle part of the race.

In the first couple races in the motorcycle class, the Yamaha XT 500cc single cylinder motorcycle won first and second in the inaugural Paris-Dakar Rally in 1979. The Yamaha XT 500 took the first to fourth, inclusive in the 1980 Paris-Dakar.

I have a street version of the Yamaha XT 500...a 1978 SR 500, hence my interest in big single cylinder, motorcycles.

I've always preferred big single cylinders and vertical twins when it comes to bikes.

As far as heavy trucks go, I believe the Czech trucks the Tatra have done well in these races. I thought Tatra and International Harvester had some corporate tie up in the manufacture of military trucks. Could be wrong. Sure someone on this forum will know.