On the Rest Day of the Dakar Rally 2026, Chasing Waypoints host Victor Orellana sits down with Scotty Bloom—founder of the Baja Rally and longtime rally journalist—to break down Dakar 2026 so far and explore where rally racing is headed next.

This wide-ranging conversation covers the realities of modern rally racing: pressure on competitors, tire strategy issues, navigation challenges, and how even top riders can be caught out when the margins are razor thin. We discuss how Dakar continues to evolve—not just as a race, but as a media product—with improved global coverage and storytelling changing how fans experience the rally.

Scotty also shares insight into the future of rally racing, highlighting the importance of youth development, mentorship, and emerging talent. Riders like Preston Campbell represent a new generation, while the legacy of Johnny Campbell continues to influence how American riders approach rally-raid competition.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Dakar Rally 2026 insights through the Rest Day

• Rally strategy, tire issues, and pressure on competitors

• How media coverage of Dakar has evolved

• The role of innovation, hot pits, and modern logistics

• Why youth involvement is critical for rally’s future

• The rise of new talent in North American rally racing

This is a conversation about where rally racing has been, where it is now, and where it’s going next.

🎙️ Presented by Chasing Waypoints
📍 Dakar Rally 2026 – Rest Day Interview

If rally-raid, Baja Rally, and the future of off-road motorsport matter to you, this episode is for you.

Stage Six of the Dakar Rally 2026 delivered a different kind of challenge than expected, proving once again that Dakar doesn’t always punish with terrain — sometimes it punishes with penalties and precision.In this episode, we break down the Stage 6 results, focusing on motorcycle and vehicle performance, navigation challenges from the road book, and how speeding penalties played a major role in reshaping the standings.On the bike side, Ricky Brabec claimed the Stage 6 win with a strong, controlled performance. Meanwhile, Daniel Sanders suffered a significant penalty that impacted his overall lead, highlighting how quickly Dakar can turn even on a relatively manageable stage.This episode covers:Why Stage 6 wasn’t the “monster” many expectedHow road book navigation and speed limits caught competitors outThe impact of speeding penalties on overall standingsWhy leading out can be a double-edged sword, especially for vehiclesNotable performances, including Doherty’s return to the raceWhy fewer retirements point to improved durability across the fieldAs the rally heads into the rest day, the overall standings remain tight, and penalties continue to play an outsized role in shaping Dakar 2026. With harder stages still to come, Stage 6 serves as a reminder that discipline matters as much as outright speed.🎙️ Presented by Chasing Waypoints📍 Dakar Rally 2026 – Stage 6 Results & AnalysisSubscribe for daily Dakar Rally results, stage previews, and in-depth rally-raid insights throughout Dakar 2026.#DakarRally2026#DakarStage6#DakarResults#RallyRaid#DakarNavigation#DakarBikes#DakarCars#MotorsportAnalysis#RickyBrabec#ChasingWaypoints

Command Central on ChasingWaypoints.comhttps://www.chasingwaypoints.com/2026...Stage 6 of the Dakar Rally 2026 is a decisive sand stage, taking competitors from Ha'il to Riyadh on a day where the selective section is 100% sand.After an early start and a long liaison, the route drops into the Qassim region, where riders and drivers enter fast dune systems and sandy tracks that continue all the way to the ASS. The stage blends high-speed dunes, broken dune fields, and fast sandy trails between ergs, demanding rhythm, dune reading, and sustained focus.Stage 6 isn’t just about speed — it’s about managing risk late in the day. With limited visibility over crests, winding dune lines, and fatigue building deep into the stage, small mistakes can quickly turn costly. Recent rain adds another layer of complexity, with temporary camps, fences, and animals potentially near the course.This video breaks down:The full Stage 6 course layoutWhy this is a pure sand endurance testKey rhythm changes and danger zonesHow competitors must balance pace and disciplineWhy Stage 6 often catches riders out lateWith Riyadh ahead and a rest day looming, Stage 6 rewards smart decisions more than outright aggression.🎙️ Presented by Chasing Waypoints📍 Dakar Rally 2026 – Stage 6 (Ha’il → Riyadh)Subscribe for daily Dakar Rally stage previews, results, and rally-raid analysis throughout Dakar 2026.#DakarRally2026#DakarStage6#HaIlToRiyadh#DakarRally#RallyRaid#DakarBikes#DakarCars#SandDunes#OffRoadRacing#ChasingWaypointsTranscript

Stage 5 of the Dakar Rally proved to be one of the most strategic days of the 2026 race, with tire performance, consistency, and penalty management playing a decisive role across Motorcycles, Cars, and SSV (UTV) classes.This episode breaks down how Stage 5 unfolded, why tire choice became the defining factor of the day, and how gaps opened up between the front-runners. With long distances, abrasive terrain, and mounting fatigue, racers were forced to balance outright speed with tire preservation—often at the cost of time or position.One of the standout discussions centers on Skyler Howes, whose tire strategy highlighted innovative thinking and long-term race management. Meanwhile, penalties once again reshaped the provisional standings, reminding competitors that Dakar is as much about discipline as it is raw pace.As we look ahead to Stage 6, the rally remains wide open. The rankings are still provisional, the gaps are manageable, and the upcoming terrain promises even greater challenges for riders and drivers alike.🔍 Stage 5 Key Takeaways:• Tire performance was the dominant factor of the stage• Strategy and consistency outperformed pure aggression• Penalties had a major impact on overall standings• Significant time gaps emerged among top competitors• Provisional rankings remain volatile heading into Stage 6⏱ Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Stage 500:10 Tire Strategies and Challenges01:16 Tire Issues and Their Impact04:09 Overall Rankings and What’s Next07:27 Vehicle Class Performance10:17 Penalties and Their Consequences13:18 Final Thoughts and Stage 6 Preview

Stage Four of the Dakar Rally 2026 delivered one of the tightest and most revealing days of the rally so far, as competitors tackled the opening leg of the Marathon Stage under intense pressure.In this episode, we break down the Stage 4 results across motorcycle and vehicle categories, highlighting standout performances, razor-thin time gaps, and the strategic implications of penalties and bonus time.On the bike side, Tosha Schareina claimed the Stage 4 victory with a time of 4:31:56, capping off a dominant performance on a day where the top four riders finished within just 16 seconds. Bonus time awarded to riders opening the stage once again played a key role in leveling the playing field and shaping the final results.This episode also takes a closer look at:How bonus time and penalties are influencing overall standingsWhy Rally 2 remains a critical category for emerging competitorsThe importance of team dynamics and coordination during marathon stagesThe extensive safety measures in place, including helicopters and ambulances positioned along the courseHow the Marathon Stage begins to expose weaknesses in both riders and machinesWith standings remaining tight and penalties capable of reshaping the leaderboard overnight, Stage 4 reinforces a core Dakar reality: consistency and discipline matter as much as speed.🎙️ Presented by Chasing Waypoints📍 Dakar Rally 2026 – Stage 4 Results & Marathon Stage AnalysisSubscribe for daily Dakar Rally results, stage previews, and in-depth rally-raid coverage throughout Dakar 2026.#DakarRally2026#DakarStage4#DakarResults#MarathonStage#RallyRaid#DakarBikes#Rally2#DakarCars#MotorsportNews#ChasingWaypoints

Command Central on ChasingWaypoints.comhttps://www.chasingwaypoints.com/2026-dakar-rally.htmlStage Three of the Dakar Rally 2026 delivered the first true pressure test of the rally, as competitors faced the added complexity of a marathon stage—where riders and drivers must manage both performance and mechanical reliability without outside assistance.In this episode, we break down the Stage 3 results across motorcycles and vehicles, highlighting the riders who thrived under pressure and the teams beginning to feel the strain.On the bike side, Tosha Schareina claimed the Stage 3 win for Monster Energy Honda, reinforcing Honda’s strength as a team. Ricky Brabec followed closely in second, delivering a strong performance despite the added challenges of marathon conditions.The overall standings remain incredibly tight, with the top three competitors separated by only minutes, setting up a critical battle between Honda and KTM as Dakar 2026 continues to unfold.In the vehicle categories, the marathon format introduces new strategic variables. With competitors responsible for their own repairs, even small issues—like a one-minute tire change—can quickly snowball into major time losses. The complexity of modern rally vehicles only amplifies the risk.This stage also highlights the growing impact of American teams, who continue to make a strong showing across categories as the rally progresses.⚠️ Results remain provisional and may change pending final confirmations.🎙️ Presented by Chasing Waypoints📍 Dakar Rally 2026 – Stage 3 Results & Marathon Stage AnalysisSubscribe for daily Dakar Rally results, stage previews, and in-depth rally-raid coverage throughout Dakar 2026.#DakarRally2026#DakarStage3#MarathonStage#DakarResults#RallyRaid#DakarBikes#DakarCars#MotorsportAnalysis#RacingNews#ChasingWaypoints

Stage Two of the Dakar Rally 2026 delivered exactly what Dakar does best: tight margins, strategic battles, and constant pressure across every category.In this episode, we break down the Stage 2 results across motorcycles, cars, stock class, and SSVs, highlighting just how close the competition has become early in the rally.On two wheels, Daniel Sanders emerged as the provisional stage winner with a time of 4:13:37, but the bigger story is the depth of the field — the top 10 riders separated by less than 10 minutes, where even small navigation mistakes carry heavy consequences.In the car category, Seth Quintero delivered a standout performance, backed by the navigation experience of Andrew Short, showing once again how critical teamwork and roadbook precision are at Dakar.The stock class continues to impress, with Sara Price securing a stage win and proving that production-based vehicles face a very different — and often more punishing — set of challenges compared to T1+ machinery.Meanwhile, the SSV category remains one of the most competitive fields in the rally, with tight time gaps and relentless pace that leave no room for error.Stage Two reinforces a core Dakar truth: this rally isn’t won on outright speed alone — it’s won through navigation, endurance, and strategy, and the margins are already razor thin.🎙️ Presented by Chasing Waypoints📍 Dakar Rally 2026 – Stage 2 Results & AnalysisSubscribe for daily Dakar Rally coverage, stage results, previews, and rally-raid insights throughout Dakar 2026.00:00 Stage Two Overview07:56 Car Results and Insights15:02 Stock Class Performance22:06 SSV Class Highlights

Command Central on ChasingWaypoints.comhttps://www.chasingwaypoints.com/2026-dakar-rally.htmlMo's Dakar: https://amzn.to/49lvzgeStage One of the Dakar Rally 2026 is complete — and it’s already clear that this year’s rally is evolving into multiple races within the same event.In this episode of Chasing Waypoints, we break down the Stage 1 results across motorcycles, vehicles, and SSVs, highlight key performances and penalties, and explain why Dakar 2026 is shaping up differently than years past.One of the biggest early storylines comes from Ross Branch, whose penalty had a direct impact on his Stage One standing and immediately changed the competitive picture. These moments matter early — not because they decide the rally, but because they force strategy changes sooner than expected.We also look at the vehicle categories, where X-raid Mini set the early benchmark, and explain how vehicle dynamics, terrain interaction, and reliability are already influencing outcomes.In the SSV category, the margins are razor thin. Stage One showed just how competitive this class has become, with close times and very little room for mistakes — a trend that’s likely to continue as the rally wears on.Looking ahead, Stage Two presents a long, demanding challenge where:Fuel management becomes criticalFatigue begins to accumulateStrategy matters more than outright speedWe also discuss how the interaction between bikes and vehicles adds complexity on course — affecting visibility, lines, and decision-making for everyone involved.This episode isn’t about predictions — because it’s still far too early for that. Dakar 2026 is just getting started, and the only certainty is that adaptability will matter more than ever.👉 Full Dakar coverage, daily breakdowns, and results available at chasingwaypoints.com🎙️ Chasing Waypoints focuses on:Strategy over speculationNavigation over headlinesHuman decisions behind the resultsIt will make sense when you get there. Enjoy the ride.

The 2026 Dakar Rally preview show covers the upcoming rally's logistics, stages, and competitors. The rally features a 14-day, 8,000 km event with new marathon stages and a 900 km mega stage. Key competitors include Ricky Brabeck, Skyler Howes, and Daniel Sanders. The show discusses the challenges of the Saudi Arabian terrain and the rally's evolving rules, such as digital road books and mandatory airbags.

Rally racing is growing fast in North America—and it’s changing what’s possible for riders chasing Dakar-style adventures. In this episode of Chasing Waypoints, we explore the rise of rallies like Baja Rally and Sonora Rally, the importance of navigation skills and training, and how community support is fueling the sport’s momentum.

From Dakar aspirations to rally schools, preparation, and camaraderie, this conversation breaks down why rally racing is no longer just something that happens overseas—and how riders at every level can get involved.

https://sonorarally.com/

https://www.bajarallymoto.com/

https://backroadsofappalachia.org/event/bluegrasss-rallye-raid/

https://www.caminosdelcolono.com/