Chasing Waypoints

El Niño is on the radar — and if the predictions hold, it could seriously affect conditions at Baja Rally. We're breaking down what that means for riders planning to compete or spectate this season.This episode covers the predicted El Niño weather pattern and its potential impact on Baja Rally, the latest update on the Chasing Waypoints Rally Challenge, and what's been happening in the garage — including a quick look at the new Sena ANC Earbuds setup we just put out. Lots of moving pieces right now and we're pulling back the curtain on all of it.🎧 Sena ANC Earbuds video: https://youtu.be/PYto1fDfp5UWhether you're following Baja Rally, tracking the CW Challenge, or just keeping up with what's happening in the adventure riding and rally world, this episode is a full update on where things stand heading into the season.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🌐 Website: https://www.chasingwaypoints.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingwaypoints👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChasingWaypoints/

We've been heads-down building — and a lot has happened since January. Today we're catching you up on everything: the Sonora Rally's exciting new shorter format, the Baja Rally on the horizon, and the Chasing Waypoints challenges we've been quietly putting together behind the scenes.It's been a minute, but the time off wasn't idle. In this episode we talk about what's changing with the Sonora Rally and why the shorter event format is a game changer for competitors looking to get into rally raid without the full commitment of a traditional multi-day event. We also get into the upcoming Baja Rally and what we're watching heading into that event. And we pull back the curtain on the Chasing Waypoints challenges — something we've been working on for a while and are fired up to finally start talking about. A lot is moving right now in the North American rally and adventure riding world, and we're right in the middle of it.This episode covers the Sonora Rally's new shorter event format and what it means for rally raid competitors in North America, a preview of the upcoming Baja Rally, and the Chasing Waypoints challenges currently in development. If you follow North American rally racing, rally raid events, or the adventure riding community, this is your update on everything that's been happening and what's coming next in the scene.🌐 Website: https://www.chasingwaypoints.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingwaypoints👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChasingWaypoints/

The Dakar Rally is over, but the work behind rally raid never stops. In this episode of Chasing Waypoints, Victor Orellana pulls back the curtain on what actually goes into organizing a rally—long before the first rider ever leaves the start line.From reconnaissance days in the desert to waypoint validation and route safety, this conversation explores the invisible systems that define whether a rally is fair, challenging, and survivable. These decisions shape everything from navigation difficulty to rider confidence, especially in environments as unforgiving as the Sonoran Desert.You’ll gain a clearer understanding of why recce matters, how waypoints are verified, and why many competitors measure success not by podiums, but by simply finishing. The episode also touches on upcoming events like Sonora Rally–related activities, SoCal Rally community energy, notable performances such as Preston Campbell’s second-place finish, and how rallies like the Africa Eco Race continue Dakar’s original spirit.If you follow rally raid—or are trying to understand what separates real rally racing from surface-level highlights—this episode provides context that most coverage skips.Explore more at ChasingWaypoints.com and follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes updates and long-form rally education.https://www.nwroadbooks.com/https://www.chasingwaypoints.com/gear.html

SummaryIn this episode, Victor Orellana wraps up the thrilling 2026 Dakar Rally, highlighting the intense competition and dramatic moments that defined the event. He reflects on Ricky Brabeck's heartbreaking near-victory, losing the title by just two seconds after a navigational error just kilometers from the finish line. Despite the disappointment, Orellana celebrates the achievements of other competitors, particularly Preston Campbell, who made history by securing a podium finish on his first attempt in the Rally 2 category. The episode captures the essence of rally racing, emphasizing the unpredictability and excitement that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.The Dakar Rally 2026 came down to one of the most dramatic finishes in rally history — decided by just two seconds and a single note in the road book.In this final wrap-up episode, Victor Orellana breaks down the moments that defined Dakar 2026, from the heartbreak of Ricky Brabec narrowly missing the overall victory, to the historic breakthrough of Preston Campbell, who secured a podium finish on his first Dakar attempt in the Rally 2 category.Despite Brabec’s disappointment, the rally crowned Luciano Benavides as the overall winner — a result that perfectly captures the unforgiving nature of Dakar, where nothing is decided until the final kilometer.This episode covers:The final stage results and overall standingsHow Dakar was decided by two secondsRicky Brabec’s near-victory and late navigation errorPreston Campbell’s historic Rally 2 podiumKey performances across motorcycles and vehiclesWhy Dakar remains the pinnacle of rally racingDakar 2026 delivered everything the sport promises: endurance, precision, heartbreak, and triumph — all in the same breath.🎙️ Presented by Chasing Waypoints📍 2026 Dakar Rally – Final Recap & AnalysisIf you’re interested in rally racing — whether as a fan or a future competitor — you’re in the right place. Stay tuned for upcoming coverage including Sonora Rally Training School, Baja Rally, and what’s next on the rally calendar.KeywordsDakar Rally, 2026 Dakar, Ricky Brabeck, Preston Campbell, rally racing, motorcycle rally, stage results, rally recap, motorsport news, adventure racingTakeaways"It comes down to two seconds and one of the last notes in the road book.""That is the story of rally and it ain't over until it's over.""Preston Campbell accomplished something that hasn't been accomplished since 2015 and since 1979.""The Dakar Rally is the pinnacle of basically the rally seasons.""If you're interested in getting into rally, you're on the right channel."TitlesHeartbreak and Triumph: The 2026 Dakar Rally RecapSound bites"It comes down to two seconds.""It ain't over until it's over.""Luciano Benavides wins the 2026 Dakar Rally."Chapters00:00 Dakar Rally 2026 Wrap-Up02:20 Stage Results and Highlights06:00 Overall Standings and Key Performers12:36 Vehicle Category Results17:24 Looking Ahead: Upcoming Rally Events

The final stage of the Dakar Rally 2026 is here — and with just 105 kilometers left to race, every second matters.In this episode, Victor Orellana breaks down Stage 13, previewing the decisive battles across Rally GP, Rally 2, Ultimate Class, and SSV, and explaining exactly what it will take for competitors to defend — or steal — a Dakar podium position.In Rally GP, Ricky Brabec enters the final stage holding the overall lead, while Luciano Benavides faces the math of the moment — needing to claw back roughly 30 seconds every 10 miles to challenge for the win. With terrain that favors speed and familiarity, the stage sets up a final, high-pressure showdown.In Rally 2, the battle remains tight between Tony Mullick and Preston Campbell, while the Ultimate Class still has a fight brewing for the final podium spot. The SSV category also remains competitive, with consistency and clean execution likely deciding the outcome.This episode covers:Full Stage 13 course expectationsFinal time gaps and championship mathKey battles in Rally GP, Rally 2, Ultimate & SSVWhy gaps are larger than usual this yearTerrain and navigation factors for the final pushWhat strategies make sense — and which don’t — this lateStage 13 isn’t about experimenting.It’s about protecting position, executing cleanly, and not giving Dakar one last opportunity to take everything away.🎙️ Presented by Chasing Waypoints📍 Dakar Rally 2026 – Stage 13 Final PreviewJoin us live for the race and be part of the final moments as Dakar 2026 is decided.