Photo credit: JBPhoto
Jurassic Journey: SR75 Suzuki and the V-STROM 800DE Make Their Rally Debut
By Geoff Walker – Suzuki Ambassador
The Jurassic 2 Day Rally is one of those events you hear about long before you get the chance to experience it. Set against the prehistoric backdrop of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, and meticulously hosted by Ben Harvey and his superbly professional Track n Trail crew, this rally is a true celebration of adventure riding, technical riding skill, and the spirit of off-road competition.
For me, this year’s rally was not only a personal first but also marked a significant milestone: the debut of the SR75 Suzuki V-STROM 800DE in the British Rally Championship. To have the honour of racing this event — and doing so on a platform we’re developing for real-world performance and rider confidence — was an opportunity I was never going to pass up.
DAY ONE: Baptism by Mud
The event serves as Round 1 of the ACU British Rally Championship, and the setting could not have been more appropriate. The 2 Valleys venue, nestled in the heart of the Dorset countryside, offers the kind of rugged terrain and scenic splendour that makes you want to keep riding — even when conditions turn gnarly.
After Friday night thunderstorms, the course was soaked. Grass, mud, roots, rocks, sand — you name it, we had it. My start time was 09:31, with a projected finish around 17:30. This wasn’t just about riding fast — it was about endurance, navigation, mechanical sympathy, and staying sharp across every inch of the 60+ mile loops.
The day began with sighting laps of the two timed special tests — one at 2 Valleys and a second, Expert-only test at the infamous Tenko venue, known for its steep climbs and tight wooded sections. These would be followed by back-to-back timed “Supertest” runs at 2 Valleys to wrap up the day.
Rolling out fourth on the road meant I got first crack at the worst of the morning slop. The Dunlop RR Rally tyres were working overtime, and the V-STROM 800DE — despite its adventure-touring DNA — was in its element. The stability, balance, and tractable power delivery made even the sketchiest conditions feel manageable.
Through tight singletrack, fast-flowing lanes, river crossings, and gnarly climbs, the bike just kept delivering. Every twist of the throttle revealed more of its character — strong, composed, and, crucially, confidence-inspiring.
By day’s end, I had secured P3 in the T3 Expert Multi-Cylinder Class. But more importantly, I’d had an absolute blast. The evening Supertest at 2 Valleys was the icing on the cake: grippy ground, spectators, and a real opportunity to showcase what this bike — and team — is all about.
DAY TWO: Sunshine, Speed, and Suzuki Control
Day Two brought blue skies and heavy dew, and an even earlier start at 09:01. No sighting laps today — just straight into timed competition. And with the dew-drenched grass acting like ice under full Rally tyres, the opening tests definitely got the heart rate up.
But with a few minor setup changes, the 800DE felt even sharper. Every adjustment brought more performance, more precision, and more fun. From the first test onward, the bike gave me everything I asked of it.
The rally format — linking stages via arrowed road and off-road sections — brings a unique rhythm to the day. You’re racing against the clock, yes, but there’s camaraderie and shared experience at every pause. Tales of wild saves, heroic overtakes, and gear-change regrets fly freely among competitors as you wait your turn at each special test.
As the temperature climbed, so did the pressure. The Tenko venue, now drying and increasingly technical, became a true test of concentration. The final two back-to-back special tests at Tenko, followed by the last 2 Valleys timed run, were where everything came together — man, machine, and terrain.
And once again, P3 in class was the reward. But I’ll say this plainly: the results were a bonus. The real satisfaction came from how the V-STROM 800DE performed — predictable, planted, and incredibly capable on terrain that most would consider beyond its brief.
A Bike Built for More
Let’s be honest — few would expect a twin-cylinder adventure bike to perform this well in a competition rally format. But Suzuki has something special with the 800DE. Whether it was picking lines through slippery singletrack, climbing rocky ascents, or holding speed across open fields, the bike never once felt like a compromise.
That’s a credit to the platform itself — and to the growing development work we’re doing at SR75. The idea is simple: if the bike can handle this, then Suzuki riders everywhere can ride with full confidence — no matter what their adventure throws at them.
Respect Where It’s Due
Huge credit must go to Ben Harvey and the entire Track n Trail crew. Organising an event of this scale — with multiple 60-mile laps, multiple venues, live timing, liaison routes, and a welcoming vibe throughout — is no small feat. That it all ran so smoothly is a testament to Ben’s passion, leadership, and professionalism. The British Rally scene is in safe hands.
And a personal thank you to Guernsey Jake for his support in the pits and to Jake B for the stunning imagery that captured the event’s best moments. To all the sponsors and crew at SR75 Suzuki who support what we do globally — thank you. Your belief fuels everything we strive for.
Final Thoughts: A Weekend of Firsts
Riding in the Jurassic 2 Day Rally for the first time. Debuting the SR75-Suzuki V-STROM 800DE in the British Rally Championship. Battling challenging terrain and finding rhythm across two intense days of competition. And finishing on the podium both days.
That’s a weekend I won’t forget anytime soon.
But more than anything, I leave this rally reminded of why we do what we do. The people, the places, the machines — they all come together in events like this. For me and the entire SR75 team, this was a step forward in showcasing Suzuki’s potential in modern rally competition.
And with that, the smile is still there. See you at the next one.
Photo credit: JBPhoto
