DEUS SWANK RALLY DI SARDEGNA 2023

Oct 20, 2023

This year, we lucked out big time with the addition of one heck of a rider in our team at the last edition of the Swank Rally di Sardegna. None other than Mr. Forrest Minchinton hopped on board for an Italian adventure filled with fuel and here's his spin on the tale.

“The Swank Rally di Sardegna is a race for gentlemen and women on modern and vintage two-wheeled machines, either single or multi cylinders depending on what tickles their fancy.

This rally takes you on a wild ride, starting from Milan’s outskirts, and zipping through the streets, backroads, farmland, tiny alleyways, and sidewalks. For who wants to make things a little more spicy, your trusty navigation tool is a good ol' paper roll chart, aka "the roadbook," strapped to your handlebars. It's like trying to read a novel while riding at high rates of speed. If you follow the roadbook precisely, bob and weave your way through local traffic, avoid odd cows, and make the occasional cappuccino stop… the fruit of your labours will be landing on the beautiful Italian island of Sardinia.
It's like time travel to a magnificent era, with postcard-worthy views and vibes around every corner, from olive trees to crystal-clear sea coves.

Now, this rally format is nothing new, in fact, this very race dates back to the 1980’s. The Swank Rally di Sardegna was born from the ashes of the now mythical Rally di Sardegna, the first “African” rally organized outside the European continent. A bygone golden era of rally, a true adventure and one of the events that made up the World Rally Raid Championship of the time, a world championship highlighted by the Paris to Dakar rally, drawing more than 1,000 entrants hungry for adventure. In 2019 Deus Ex Machina and Adventure Riding decided to bring the Rally di Sardegna back to life with the aim of reviving the spirit of the golden era of rallies. Riding on the same routes where the history of motorsport had been made, but this time in an inviting environment that was as much adventure as a friendly ride amongst mates.

My entrance into this story happened with a phone call from our friends at Deus Italy. Giuseppe was on the other side of the Atlantic phoning me from his office in Milan with a friendly invitation to participate in this year's running of the Swank. He knew full well that I had been pestering for a chance to come over ever since they brought the event back to life in 2019.
The catch wouldn't be IF I wanted to attend but IF I could make it in time. I was a few hundred miles deep into the Mexican Baja peninsula racing the Baja 400, which would leave me only 24 hrs to get back home to California and catch the first flight to Europe.
Needless to say, we got the Baja 400 done and I flew straight to Milan. After my arrival, it was straight to the garage of the tallest Italian I know, Mr. Ottavio Missoni. A partner of Deus, Dakar racer and finisher, vintage motorcycle collector, and all-around nice guy who was generous enough to lend me his own motorcycle for me to race a Sherco 450. He opted for his trusty and very cool 80’s Honda XR600 for a go in the vintage class, complete with period correct manual roll chart to boot. We traded out his height-appropriate ape hangers handlebars for my height-appropriate (vertically challenged) bar bend.

We mounted a set of new Metzeler tires before Ottavio gave me a quick crash course of the roll chart system through his local trails to familiarize myself with roadbook-style navigation and it was off to the Prologue at the iconic Malpensa Motocross track.
It was a blast to be surrounded by such a laid-back crew of riders, each cruising at their own pace, but savoring every moment like one big, happy family. And let me tell you, the bikes were a sight to behold. From the modern unstoppable Yamaha Teneré to the beloved classics from the '80s and '90s, like the Honda XL and XR, Suzuki DR, and Yamaha TT and XT. It was a two-wheeled paradise with a flavor for every taste.

Fast forward a couple of days, and I found myself tearing up the Sardinian backcountry trails, covering everything from fast-flowing trails and riverbeds to single tracks and fire roads, with short stints on pavement. This party went on for three days, crisscrossing the island from the mountaintops to the valleys and all the way to the seashore. Each evening, we kicked back at a beach resort, sharing war stories, near misses, and unforgettable moments over delicious food and all the beer we could handle.

The grand finale happened at the ferry port in Olbia, Sardinia, where we loaded our bikes and hit the bar for one last round of celebratory drinks with our new and old pals as we sailed overnight back to the Italian mainland. The final stage ended at the Ferry port in Olbia, Sardinia where we loaded our motorcycles and proceeded to the bar for one last celebratory drink amongst new and old friends as we sailed overnight back to the Italian mainland. The smooth rally course and challenge of navigation was something I really enjoyed, it was such a change to the terrors of the Baja 400 I had competed in just a few days prior.

Although I have always been a sucker for self-induced suffering, this Swank Rally had just the right amount of challenge and champagne. Consider my flights already booked for next year!”

#swankrallydisardegna

words: @forrestminchinton
Ph. @rally.pov

ENGLISH TEXT BELOW

Setiap tahun, teman-teman kita Tasix Adventure—penyelenggara petualangan ban berlumpur dan adrenalin berbahan bakar terbaik di Bali—mengadakan acara akhir pekan berkemah yang sangat dinanti-nantikan. Mereka menamakannya “ The Wild,” dan jujur saja, tidak ada kata yang lebih pas dari itu.

Ini bukan sekadar acara; ini adalah petualangan wajib bagi siapa saja yang mencintai tanah, tantangan, dan persahabatan yang hanya bisa terjalin saat tertawa melihat teman lain terjatuh.

Hal tentang The Wild adalah misterinya. Kamu tidak tahu ke mana akan pergi, bagaimana sampai di sana, atau apa yang akan kamu temui—seperti hidup, tapi dengan lebih banyak asap knalpot.

Tahun ini, The Wild yang berlangsung pada 7 Desember 2024, mengumpulkan 135 pecinta motor enduro, trail, dan cross di Desa Kopi, Tabanan. Tepat pukul 9 pagi, kami berangkat menuju Desa Gesing, Singaraja. Rute tetap dirahasiakan hingga hari acara, meningkatkan sensasi penasaran dan antusiasme. Dengan dibagi menjadi beberapa kelompok kecil, kami melengkapi diri dengan perlengkapan motocross lengkap untuk menghadapi tantangan musim hujan.

Perjalanan? Murni magis. Jalur berkelok melalui permata tersembunyi Bali, di mana setiap tikungan menawarkan pemandangan yang memukau atau hampir membuat jantung berhenti. Rute tahun ini menghadirkan medan tanah liat merah—dijuluki tanah "keramik" karena teksturnya yang licin dan keras saat basah. Untuk melintasinya, diperlukan teknik khusus yang disebut “paddling the throttle,” sebuah manuver yang mendebarkan dengan motor yang sering bergoyang liar. Dari kejauhan, mungkin terlihat lucu, tetapi saat di atas motor? Ceritanya berbeda.

Setelah menempuh 68 kilometer petualangan liar, kami tiba di perkemahan di puncak bukit yang sudah dipenuhi tenda-tenda peserta lain dan deru knalpot. Destinasi selalu mencuri perhatian, dan yang satu ini tidak terkecuali—tempat tinggi dengan pemandangan 360 derajat yang menakjubkan dari laut, gunung, hingga kota.

Saat hujan turun, tenda-tenda didirikan, dan malam itu diisi dengan berbagi cerita tentang penyelamatan heroik dan kecelakaan yang menggelikan. Dan tentu saja, ada balapan. Bayangkan sekelompok pengendara penuh semangat meluncur di perbukitan dalam kekacauan yang terkontrol. Balapan tahun ini termasuk duel 1 lawan 1 yang seru di sekitar puncak bukit, dengan peserta menyelesaikan dua putaran penuh adrenalin.

Bukan soal menang; ini tentang hadir, tertawa, dan menikmati momen. Para pemenang dan peserta tercepat yang mencapai puncak bukit dirayakan dengan hadiah, tetapi senyuman, persahabatan, dan kebersamaan membuat semua orang merasa seperti juara.

The Wild tahun ini benar-benar sesuai namanya, bahkan lebih. Petualangan, tawa, dan cukup banyak tanah di gigi untuk menyebutnya otentik—kami tidak akan menginginkannya dengan cara lain. Terima kasih yang sebesar-besarnya kepada semua peserta yang menjadikannya pengalaman tak terlupakan. Sampai jumpa di petualangan berikutnya!

Every year, our mates over at Tasix Adventure—Bali’s finest purveyors of muddy tyres and fuel-driven adrenaline—host their much-anticipated camp-out weekend. They’ve named it “Wild,” and honestly, there’s no better word for it.

It’s not just an event; it’s a pilgrimage for anyone who loves dirt, daring, and the kind of camaraderie you can only forge while laughing at someone else’s wipeout.

The thing about Wild is that it’s shrouded in mystery. You don’t know where you’re going, how you’ll get there, or what you’ll find—kind of like life, but with more exhaust fumes.

This year’s Wild, held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, brought together 135 enthusiasts of enduro, trail, and cross motorcycles at Desa Kopi, Tabanan. The route was kept a secret until the event day, heightening the thrill of the unknown. At exactly 9 am, they shared the destination, Desa Gesing, Singaraja, Divided into small groups, we geared up with full motocross kits to tackle the rainy season’s challenges.

The ride? Pure magic. Twisting trails through Bali’s hidden gems, where every turn promised either breathtaking views or breathtaking near-misses. This year’s route featured red clay terrain—nicknamed "ceramic" soil for its slick, hard texture when wet. Navigating it required a special technique called “paddling the throttle,” a nerve-wracking maneuver that had bikes swaying wildly. From a distance, it might have looked hilarious, but on the bike? It was a whole other story.

After 68 kilometres of this wild adventure, we arrived at the hilltop campsite already alive with the buzz of activity and the roar of exhausts. The destination always steals the spotlight, and this one was no exception—a high-altitude perch offering stunning 360-degree views of the sea, mountains, and city.

As the rain came down, tents went up, and the evening was all about swapping stories of heroic saves and laughable crashes. And then there were the races. Picture a pack of overexcited riders tearing up the hillside in what can only be described as controlled chaos. This year’s races included thrilling 1-on-1 duels around the hilltop, with participants pushing through two laps of sheer adrenaline.

It wasn’t just about winning; it was about showing up, laughing, and embracing the moment. The race winners and the fastest hilltop arrivals were celebrated with prizes, but the smiles, the camaraderie, and the shared triumphs made everyone feel like champions.

This year’s Wild lived up to its name and then some. Adventure, laughter, and just enough dirt in your teeth to call it authentic—we wouldn’t have it any other way. A massive thank you to all the participants who made it unforgettable. See you on the next adventure!