Rest in Peace Desert Tiger

Kemal Merkit 06/07/1960 - 09/07/2012

It is devastating to report that today the rally world lost a true hero, a true sportsman. Turkish rider, Kemal Merkit, the ‘Desert Tiger’, rider, runner, cyclist, all around positive influence for all whose lives his presence touched, was killed doing what his fans may like to think he loved best, on a bike, in a rally stage. The discipline is a cruel one and sadly, Kemal joins many of the greats that gave everything for a sport so loved, so revered, so feared. Sainct, Meoni, Caldecott, the list goes on, hauntingly now appended with Merkit. 

The details are emerging, but on stage 6 of the TransAnatolia Rally, Kemal and Italian rider Mirco Miotto slowed to check on their navigation when they were hit from behind by young Dutch rider Wouter Vaarkamp, who emerged from the dust without time to react. Sadly, Vaarkamp was also pronounced dead at the scene. Miotto received minor injuries and has been treated.

While I was familiar with Kemal from his earlier Dakar’s, he really came to my attention before the 2007 edition through the postings of a friend of his on ADVrider. Kemal became a defacto inmate, one of the riders we virtually supported year after year. His enthusiasm for racing was infectious to those of us who became his fans, an enthusiasm that never wavered and never diminished.

Unstoppable is a word that comes to mind and I challenge anyone to find a photo or a video clip where his face is not adorned with a smile. Choosing to take on the toughest rallies in the toughest way possible, Kemal was the embodiment of a sportsman. I never heard a single story from anyone, that portrayed him in any other way than a helpful, enthusiastic racer, eager to lend a hand and share the delight he derived from his passions.

I never had the privilege of meeting Kemal in person, but early on I became a fan and my admiration for his feats never faltered. From RallyRaidReview, only the deepest of condolences for his family, his loved ones, and his legions of rally fans. Rest in peace Desert Tiger, you will always be, one of the greats.

Turkish Delight

27-Dec-2011 | Christopher Doyle

One of the toughest men on the entire rally scene, Turkey’s ‘Desert Tiger’, Kemal Merkit will once again set out upon the Argentine landscape from the tranquility of Mar del Plata en route to Lima, Peru through the most serene yet hellish environments that the organizing body, the Amaury Sport Organization, can throw at them. In a mere fifteen days time, through stage after grueling stage, Merkit will battle the elements on his mammoth, eighth Dakar. Since his initial try in 2000 which ended in a heartbreaking withdrawal on stage 13, the ‘Desert Tiger’ from Istanbul has put in herculean effort after herculean effort to reach the finish line in every subsequent attempt finishing a best ever 23^rd overall in 2003.

For the 2012 rally, Merkit once again competes in the Malles Moto class for unassisted riders. To the casual observer, this classification means that not only will the Turk compete alongside all riders, cars, and trucks, he also will handle all mechanical and bivouac duties. Whereas the more resourced teams or riders provide or bring along mechanics and team assistance to handle the repair and mechanical duties while the rider tends to more personal needs such as sleeping or eating, those in the Malles Moto class cannot always afford such luxuries. Food and sleep exist on the priority list far below those items necessary to ensure the bike and rider are able to take the start of the next stage.

For the seasoned rally fan, the Malles Moto class defines the men among men.

Like shadows in the bivouac, Malles Moto competitors toil while others sleep

Successfully passing along the Dakar bug to fellow Turks, Merkit is joined this year by Dakar rookies, Selcuk Bektas and Sakir Senkalayci with the help of the Turkish Motorbike Federation (TMF). Both Bektas and Senkalayci credit Merkit with igniting the passion needed to embark upon such an undertaking. Both Bektas, a long time friend of Merkit, and Senkalayci, the 2011 Turkish Off-Road Champion, will compete in the Malles Moto class with their friend and idol.

The ‘Desert Tiger’ again dons the #55 rider number that he has taken to the finish so many times and sometimes, against all odds. Bektas and Senkalayci will carry rider numbers 153 and 184 respectively with all three riders aboard KTM 450’s.

Follow and lend your support to the team at http://www.dakarturk.com/

Visit the teams Dakar bike build gallery

Statistics:

Kemal Merkit # 55

KTM 450 EXC

07:06. Born in Istanbul in 1960

2011 FIM World Cross Country Rally Trophy 2nd Open

2011 Dakar Rally, Moto 2 Malles General Classification Group 61

2010 Trans-Anatolia General Classification 1

2010 Dakar Rally, Moto 1 Malles General Classification Group 49

2009 Dakar Rally, the General Classification 112 +450 cc

2008 UAE Desert Challenge

Transorientale Rally 2008 450cc

2008 Central Europe Rally, the General Classification Group 34 / 450cc (Dakar, Series)

2007 UAE Desert Challenge General Classification Group 19, 1st Marathon

Dakar 2007 General Classification Group 61 / 4 450cc

2005 Turkey Enduro Championship, 450cc over 1

2004 Rallye D’orient Cappadocia

General Classification Group 23 2003 Dakar Rally 6th over 450cc

2003 Rallye D’orient Cappadocia

Orpine Rallye 2002, Marathon 2

General Classification Group 34 2002 Dakar Rally

2002 Master Rallye

2002 Turkey Enduro Championship, 400cc 1

2001 UAE Desert Challenge, the General Classification 10

Master Rallye 2001, the General Classification 6

2000 Dakar Rally

Turkey Enduro Championship 2000, 400cc 1

1999 Master Rallye

1998 UAE Desert Challenge,

Rallye Atlas 1998,

1997 UAE Desert Challenge

Optic 1997 Tunisia Rally.

Turkey Enduro Championship 1995, the General Classification 2

Turkey Enduro Championship 1994, the General Classification 1

1994 Camel Trophy

Selcuk Bektas # 153

KTM 450 EXC

Born in Istanbul 11.11.1965

2011 European Cross Country Championships Series Racing

2011 Transanatolia

2011 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

2010 Romaniacs

2010 Transanatolia

2008 International Six Days Enduro World Championship participation

There are various degrees of Enduro Championships in Turkey since 2005.

Spormoto distributor company in Turkey since 2005, owner of KTM.

Sakir Senkalayci # 184

KTM 450 EXC

04.02.1981 born in Gaziantep

2010 / 2011 Turkey Motocross champion, Turkey Super Moto 2, Turkey and the European Enduro championship standings 4

2008 / 2009 UEM Super Moto 3, Turkey Motocross, and Super Moto championship

2006 / 2007 Turkey Super Moto, Turkey Motocross champion

Red Bull Last Man Standing

2004/2005 Turkey Motocross champion, Turkey Enduro champion, Turkey supermoto champion,

Supermoto champion of the Balkans, 1000 cc superbike champion of Turkey

1999 / 2003 Turkey 250 cc Motocross champion

1996 / 1998 Turkey 125

1990 / 1995 Turkey 80 cc motocross champion