An interview with David Serieys, Head of Logistics at MMSP.
For the first time in its history, the 31st Dakar Rally was held in 2009 on the territory of South America, following a decision by its organizer, Amaury Sport Organisation.
The total length of the 2009 Dakar Rally route (held from January 3rd to 18th) was 9,574 km, of which 5,652 km were divided into 14 special stages. Their length ranged from 215 to 666 km. The competitors also had to face high altitudes, as the route running through the Andes reached heights of over 3,000 meters above sea level. At the start of the rally in Buenos Aires, there were 217 motorcycles, 25 quads, 177 cars, and 81 trucks.
Iwo Nowak: What impact does moving the Dakar Rally from Africa to South America have on your actions, tasks, and the logistical side of the venture?
David Serieys: The scope of my responsibility has not changed at all. I still have to handle the complete logistics of the operations undertaken by the team. This concerns precise planning of team movements, accommodation, fuel supply, transport of goods, and the organization of activities before, during, and after each stage of the rally. Moving the event from Africa to Chile and Argentina did not fundamentally change my approach to the tasks awaiting me during this edition of the Dakar. I have never dealt with two identical events, and each time all planning had to start from a blank sheet of paper. Indeed, we had developed certain patterns over the years, such as knowing and understanding the requirements we had to meet in Africa, and organizing the Dakar in South America was a completely new challenge for most participants. However, let us remember that MMSP is an extremely experienced organization and can draw knowledge, for example, from its participation in many editions of the Por Las Pampas Rally.
I. N.: Has this move made your work more complicated?
D. S.: Certain aspects of my work naturally became more complex, but others became easier. For example, transporting all our equipment and support vehicles to South America was definitely easier, thanks to the fact that A. S. O. guaranteed a ship that transported almost everything from Le Havre to Buenos Aires. We used air transport in two cases: sending the Racing Lancers after the “shakedown” in France and delivering necessary parts and components for the rest day in Valparaiso. We were also able to use the extensive support provided to us by local Mitsubishi representatives – such as the Argentine importer Alfa Car or the MMC Chile headquarters. I only had to prepare a detailed list of our needs, and they professionally fulfilled our orders. Both companies are perfectly aware of what is needed because both enter cars in local cross-country rallies, including Por Las Pampas. I have full confidence in them and could rely on their cooperation.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” 1/2009.