Episode 26: Ricky Brabec: From the Desert to Dakar

Ricky Brabec’s path to the top of rally racing didn’t happen overnight.

In this episode of Bore and Stoke, we talk about his roots in the desert, the journey to becoming a Dakar champion, and the lessons learned along the way.

We also reflect on one of the closest finishes in Dakar history—not as a headline, but as part of a bigger story about resilience, growth, and the pursuit of perfection in rally racing.

00:00 Intro

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01:26 Welcome RICKY BRABEC

03:15 Ricky’s ladder into rally racing

14:10 Ricky’s first rally was gnarly

18:00 Ricky’s second chance on the Honda — and roadbooks 

22:40 Dakar comes calling

27:09 Learning from Johnny Campbell

32:11 Partying takes a back seat

37:56 What’s cool about desert racing

40:11 Dakar’s rise in popularity in America

44:51 Bringing up a sore subject

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52:10 Managing each stage mentally

58:01 Ricky’s relationship with danger

01:02:00 Airbags have changed the game — but it still hurts

01:06:09 Americans at the Dakar

01:09:00 Training with Jimmy Lewis

01:14:37 What makes the Ricky Brabec/Honda package work so well?

01:16:30 What’s going on at the Rip n Dip ranch?

01:24:27 What a cool guy

01:26:28 Rate us and leave a comment!

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