zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Racing
/
Dakar Rider Hit By Lightning, Finishes Day Anyway
Dakar Rider Hit By Lightning, Finishes Day Anyway-January 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:11:26

Slovakian rider Ivan Jakes was struck by lightning in the Salar Centenario area on the third stage of the Dakar Rally, reports . Of course it didn’t stop him. Who stops for a pesky little nuisance like lightning on the Dakar?

Jakes, who rides a KTM for his own team in the rally, was 186 miles from the finish line when lightning struck him during a storm. He felt the hit, but kept riding despite pain in his left arm, ultimately finishing 15th on the stage.

Doctors credited the bike for saving Jakes’ life to Motorsport.com. Much like what happens when lightning strikes a car, the KTM conducted electricity through the ground. Had Jakes stepped off the bike and grounded that electricity through him instead, he would have been injured much worse.

Jakes was later checked and cleared to return to competition in a Jujuy hospital. According to an update from the , Jakes started off on Stage 4 this morning. Clearly, it’s going to take a lot more than angry sky-blasts to stop this man from finishing Dakar.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Racing
Valtteri Bottas Isn't Taking Social Media too Seriously
Valtteri Bottas Isn't Taking Social Media too Seriously
There’s an ease in Valtteri Bottas’ body language when he says, “The older I get, the less I care what people think about me.” After a decade in Formula One and five stressful years at Mercedes, the Finnish driver has finally rediscovered his passion for motorsport through the Alfa...
Jan 1, 2026
Kevin Harvick's Car Burst Into Flames During the Southern 500
Kevin Harvick's Car Burst Into Flames During the Southern 500
is known for being notoriously harsh on stock cars. This year’s Cook Out Southern 500 was no different. Notably, and Martin Truex Jr. retired from the race while contending for the win after both of their Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas suffered engine failures. The most startling retirement of the night...
Jan 1, 2026
The Formula 1 Super License, Explained
The Formula 1 Super License, Explained
You need a lot of things to race in Formula 1 — money, sponsorship, skill, a lifelong investment in perfecting race craft. But when it comes to logistics, there’s really only one thing you absolutely have to have: A super license. Basically, a super license is the competition license...
Jan 1, 2026
Ferrari Adds Just a Touch of Yellow on Special F1 Livery
Ferrari Adds Just a Touch of Yellow on Special F1 Livery
This upcoming weekend is slated to be a historic occasion for Formula One. The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, the traditional home of the Italian Grand Prix, is celebrating its centenary. Also, is celebrating its 75th anniversary as is running a one-off special livery on its F1 cars. The iconic...
Jan 1, 2026
The Red Bull-AlphaTauri Conspiracy Theory Doesn't Add Up
The Red Bull-AlphaTauri Conspiracy Theory Doesn't Add Up
Sunday’s ended with a slew of fans crying “conspiracy” after AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda had a mysterious trackside stoppage that ended up playing into Red Bull Racing’s hands. Except, of course, a little extra digging shows that there wasn’t actually a conspiracy at all. After a late-race pit stop,...
Jan 1, 2026
Porsche May Not Join Red Bull in Formula 1 After All: Report
Porsche May Not Join Red Bull in Formula 1 After All: Report
Rumors that would be partnering with ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season have been flying around for months. Now, it looks like that dream has died, , and it sounds like the skepticism is coming from inside the Red Bull camp. In case you missed it, was set...
Jan 1, 2026
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved