Hyundai Sponsors Team Rally Australia for 2010 Dakar Rally. Team Rally Australia is proud to announce that Hyundai Australia has become a sponsor of Australia’s team for the 2010 Dakar Rally in South America. “We are proud to have attracted the world’s fifth largest automotive group to our team,” says Team Rally Australia racer Christophe Barriere-Varju. “Hyundai is our logistics partner and will support us throughout the adventure.” Hyundai, whose name means Modern Era, is one of the world’s fastest growing vehicle manufacturers. “I have had the chance of visiting Hyundai Motor Corporation in Korea earlier this year, and it is amazing to see the advance in technology consumers will be able to enjoy shortly,” says Barriere-Varju. “Despite the difficult economy we are in, the VFACTS National Report shows Hyundai year-to-date sales have increased by 42%.” Team Rally Australia and Christophe Barriere-Varju are the face of the Dakar in Australia. As a Dakar Ambassador, Barriere-Varju has spent relentless hours to encourage Australians in becoming part of an amazing adventure, the Dakar Rally, and is the expert host SBS Television, Fox Sports and Channel 10 call upon. The Dakar is broadcast across 189 countries and attracts more than 300 million viewers every year.
Off road racer, adventurer, dreamer of wild dreams – Christophe Barriere-Varju has met and overcome many challenges and dreamed many dreams on the road to becoming one of the world’s leading off-road motorcycle racers. Born in France, raised in West Africa, and completing his education in California, Christophe started racing at the age of 14, winning legendary status around his hometown of Abidjan in the Ivory Coast for his aerial acrobatics, skills and speed on a motorcycle. He once competed before a crowd of 220,000 spectators (a world first) at the West African Motocross des Nations, which he won five times. The name “Barriere” is known all around West Africa. An inspiration to thousands of fans of all ages, Christophe is renowned for his impeccable riding techniques, and he has trained many riders in Africa, California and now an accredited motorcycle coach in Australia.
- 2009 Competed in the 2009 Dakar Rally in Argentina / Chile
- 2008 Dakar Rally cancelled
- 2007 1st place Australian at the Dakar Rally, finished 64th overall out of 248 starters. 25th in the super-production category.
- 2006 3rd in the Marathon Class, Sertoes Rally, Brasil. Scored first world rally championship points.
- 2006 Competed in the Finke Desert Race
- 2006 Raced the first round of the Cross-Country world championship in Argentina/Chile
- 2006 Competed in the Dakar Rally
- 2005 Competed in the Finke Desert Race
- 2005 Bronze Medal at the Australian 4-Day Enduro
- 2001-04 Numerous Motocross Races
- 1997 Won 2 local championships in Arizona
- 1991-96 Moved to San Diego, California. Raced Motocross and Supercross. Won numerous sand races in Mexico
- 1986-90 West African Countries Motocross des Nations champion 5-years in a row for the Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire)
- 1987-88 Cote d’Ivoire National motocross champion
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