American’s in the Dakar rally are a rare sighting. Robby Gordon has been the loan wolf for many years with more US drivers wanting to venture over. Gordon took the year off and Bryce Menzies was set to race with team Mini and Red Bull in the 2017 Dakar rally.

Due to his recent injuries, Menzies has opted to put his health first before he competes in any races. “It’s really bad news. Bryce is a very gifted driver and certainly would have secured several good results in his first Dakar,” says X-Raid Team Manager Sven Quandt. “But it also is of major importance that he fully focuses on his recovery to afterward return to motor racing in top form. So, we and Mini opted for letting Orly and Andi switch to the Mini John Cooper Works Rally. They are a very competitive pairing.”

The injuries Menzies suffered while attempting this jump have knocked him out of racing Dakar this year.

“I am beyond disappointed to have to withdraw from starting this year’s Dakar,” Menzies said. “It has been a lifelong goal of mine that will have to wait another year before I can attempt. I knew it would it be tough to get back to 100 percent after my injuries from the world record New Frontier jump and unfortunately, I just couldn’t get to a point where I’d be both comfortable in the car for that long and technically able to compete at the level warranted to win.”

“It also wasn’t worth re-injuring anything and then being out for the more races this season,” Menzies continued. “I’m really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of my MINI later this year as we put in the homework needed to get ready for 2018 Dakar. I also want to say a special thank you to Sven Quandt at X-Raid for sticking with me as I overcome this injury and Helmut Wahl at Red Bull and Carrie Woodward at BFGoodrich for continuing to support my rally efforts.”

Next year’s Dakar will be one for the ages with Menzies and Gordon set to return. How do y ou think American drivers will fair in the 2018 Dakar? Tell us in the comments below!