Lucas Barron is currently in Peru blazing 3,000 miles worth of new trail. The 25-year-old is the first person with Down syndrome to compete in the Dakar Rally, an arduous 10-day race across the South American country that covers 3,000 miles, with most of the driving done on sand in off-road four-wheel drive buggies.
Lucas is serving as the co-pilot for his father, Jacques, which is a grueling task in itself.
“Lucas is entertained by helping, he helps me untie, he pushed the car last time, he helps seeing all the navigation instruments, there are a lot of temperature and pressure controls that Lucas is checking,” Jacques explained to Political Hispanic.
Prior to the rally, Lucas was confident he and his father would go the distance.
“Our aim is to finish the race and achieve our goal,” Lucas told AFP. “This race is brilliant for me. It will be easy because we know the route.”
Lucas has been training for a year and a half with his father, a 55-year-old experienced Dakar Rally competitor himself who finished on a motorcycle five times, four of which he was officially registered for, and one in which he completed shortly after the 500 vehicles passed through.
This isn’t the first time Lucas and Jacques are pairing up for an adventurous haul. The two ran the Baja Inka last year and the Desafío Inca a few months ago to prepare for Dakar.
As for any nerves on Lucas’s part?
“I’m calm. Nothing happens when I’m with my dad, following footprints,” he said.
Lucas, who was born in Lima, doesn’t just compete behind the wheel. He’s also an accomplished swimmer and futbol player.
The Dakar Rally kicked off on January 7 and will conclude on January 17. As for whether the Barrons will cover all 3,000 miles? If heart plays a role, I’m bettering the father-son duo will be high-fiving and hugging one another triumphantly at the finish line.
