At 58, Hervé Quinet, domiciled in Compigny in the north of Yonne, will finally be able to accomplish his childhood dream : “I’ve been watching it on TV for thirty years and it’s something that I didn’t think would be accessible to amateurs like Marie-Laure and me. I think I’m not aware of what I’m doing to do. It’s a crazy thing. “
“We are called crazy” – Marie-Laure Quinet, co-pilot
When we ask Hervé Quinet what the Dakar means to him, this amateur rider with 35 years of experience in motorsport has the tears that rise to her to the eyes. It is the passion of a lifetime that comes true. A passion shared with his wife, Marie-Laure, co-pilot, who she seems to achieve well what she is committed to: “We know it’s going to be very hard, everyone tells us, besides everyone calls us crazy. I realize that I’m going to sleep in the dunes, in six degrees, that I’m going to sleep in a tent, I realize all of this. “
– Herve Quinet
Fundraising for “Heart and Health”
But ten years ago after a heart attack, Hervé heard himself say “you will never get back in a racing car”. He did exactly the opposite, resumed speed racing on asphalt, then moved on to endurance races in rally-raid. His visit to the Joigny cardiac rehabilitation center was decisive: “I’ve lost fifteen pounds, I’m watching my diet, I exercise regularly, I hardly take the elevator anymore. There was a click and I was like – these people I owe them something. my idea was to drive for them by paying one euro per kilometer traveled and we will do between 8,000 and 8,500 kilometers. “
A Dakar rally that they will run with registered in pink on the yellow paint of their 4×4 the logo “Heart and health” and this objective reach the end of the dream by finishing the Dakar on January 14 in Jeddah.
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The icaunais couple will be assisted in their race by four people for mechanics and assistance. You can follow Hervé and Marie-Laure Quinet’s journey on their Facebook page.