^.^
So I have me some racing ambitions 
I want to compete in the Mantshwabise 1000 Desert Race 2012
I figured I would start a preparationthread up in here, both to document the whole process as well as to draw motivation on the days when I really am not feeling it.
as of posting this the count down stands at
356 days, 8556 hours, 513361 minutes, 30801667 seconds until race day 
To star with I am doing some prep gym training and rebuilding my DRZ, more on that below.
Gym training
I am one week into a basic conditioning program which will last a month and consists of 1 hour a day 5 days a week with alternating cardio training and weight training. controlled diet of 2025 cals per day broken up over 6 337.5 cal meals per day.
Once that is done I will be starting a 19 week long off season MX-straining program which includes riding days
Bike rebuild
Turning this
into this… 
So far: My head is busy being redone, I expect it to be finished today. Engine will go off for rebuild on Monday or Tuesday, new gasket set; hotrods main bearings; hotrods +4mm crank & wiseco timing chain are going into the engine. Athena head (bigger water cooling channels); the head has been ported and flowed by TBR & has a Hotcam on the intake side. The Yoshimura header will be going for matte black ceramic coating next week too.
Once the engine is done It will be taken to Wrench (Julian) @ superbike solution to be jetted and run-in on the dyno.
I have already sourced an IMS 17L fuel tank and rally fairing. I bought a 21″ excel front rim with talon hub from a previous Dakar bike which will require new bearings and possibly brake caliper spacers to fit.
Rider rebuild
I went to see an ENT (ear nose & throat) specialist this morning as I have broken my nose many times and cant breath through my left nostril at all which impacts my ability to breath a fair bit, surgery is scheduled for the 12th of July 
I will need to compete in at least two regional MSA races in order to qualify for the Mantshwabise 1000 so I am looking at buying a 250 exc which has been offered to me, not to mention it will make for a great training bike.
Week one almost done 
5 Comments
G’day mate,
Love your work. Was wanting to know if you’d be willing to share your source for the tank and fairing.
Keep us all posted on your progress and your results.
Awsome job.
Jerry
Heya,
the tank is an IMS 17.5L tank, easy enough to find whilst the fairing is from a Africa Twin. Have a friend back in Cape Town that makes them.
I moved to Vietnam for a great job offer mid October last year so I will have to abandon the idea of racing this bike
Howdy.
Best of luck for the race. Can you tell me who produces the rally fairing you sourced in the picture and/or from where you sourced it?
Thanks
Cam
Thanks Cam.
Its a mate of mine in Cape Town, South Africa that makes them.
Wont be racing or riding that bike any time soon as I left it in SA when I moved to Vietnam
Pity you wont be riding it soon, but all the best in Vietnam.
Would you be willing to put me in contact with your mate in SA, or provide further details of the african twin/queen which fits with the IMS tank.
Thanks very much
Cam