Seattle, WA.  The world's most famous motorsports race, the Dakar Rally, ist taking place from 1 - 15 January in South America. In 2012, the Dakar will be staging a Pan-American adventure of more than 9000 kilometres in total taking the riders from Mar del Plata / Argentina to Lima in Peru. Touratech USA is again sponsoring their home-town hero, Jonah Street, and ist also supporting American rider Ned Suisse.

Most of the staff at Touratech-USA are huge Jonah Street fans. Touratech-USA have provided support for Jonah's race efforts, including motorcycle equipment and fundraising, hosted the second annual "Send-Off Party" and even created a limited edition Jonah Street Dakar Rally shirt.

More than 200 people came out to support Jonah and his 2012 Dakar Rally effort, purchasing raffle tickets and bidding on items available in the silent auction. Jonah had his new fuel-injected Yamaha YZ450F on display. He and his father have spent countless hours putting the bike together in preparation for this year's race. The bike features e.g. a custom made rally fairing that Jonah and his father designed, as well as Safari fuel tanks that hold 9.5 gallons of race gas and Touratech hand guards. Thanks to generous contributions from numerous companies and the support of his fans, Touratech-USA were able to raise $7,600 for Jonah's 2012 race fund! In addition to the silent auction and raffle, attendees were able to ask Jonah questions about the Dakar Rally, his new YZ450F and how he's preparing for this year's race.

Jonah Street is one of the most successful contemporary American off-road motorcycle racers. In the 2011 Dakar race, Jonah won stage 9 and finished 14^th overall. Street won the Baja 500 in three times and also posted two second place finishes in the Baja 1000. In 2006 he entered his first Dakar Rally. Finishing three stages in the top five, Johnah managed to to finish 17^th in the motorbike class and left quite an impression on the rally community. That same year he finished the Baja 500 first in class, and in third place overall. In the 2009 Dakar he won stage five before a wrist injury forced him to withdraw, and in 2010 he finished this legendary race in 7^th place overall. In 2011, Jonah Street became the first American to win Rally Mongolia decimating the competition by finishing three hours ahead of the closest competitior.

For further information click here.