The History Behind the Deus Rally di Sardegna
In the 1980s, Sardinia became the first terrain outside of the African continent to host a rally using the Paris-Dakar formula. The Deus Rally di Sardegna recreated that event with Renato Zocchi — who built the original in 1984 — and brought it back with a distinctly Deus sense of style. When the invitation came to attend, the answer was not a difficult one.
The Deus Rally di Sardegna kicked off on May 18th at Monza. From there, everyone headed to the port of Genova — bikes loaded, one very capable Fiat Panda acquired, and a crossing to Sardinia ahead.
Genova to Sardinia: The Ferry Crossing
I have never been on anything bigger than a yacht, which made pulling up to the port of Genova something of a reality check. The Italians called it a ferry. It was not the ferry to Fisher Island in Miami. Once we boarded, it felt like the Titanic — if the Titanic were full of gear heads dragging dirty boots and sweat-soaked riding kit through every corridor.
My friend Vicki and I had flown from America on a two-week vacation with four heavy bags between us, wheeling them through the ship trying to figure out where our room even was. Once we found it, we threw the bags in and went straight to the bar. Two women on a boat with many, many beautiful Italian men. We stayed up eating, drinking, and somehow got into wrestling. Someone brought a Luchador mask. By midnight, a group of grown men had invaded the children’s playpen area in the ship’s hull, wrestling while everyone filmed and chanted. People fell like leaves. We went to bed.
The intercom came on early — a loud Italian woman announcing breakfast and arrival. We got off the ferry, suited up, helped the guys sort their maps, and jumped in the Panda.
Chasing the Deus Rally di Sardegna Through the Mountains
Several days of driving around Sardinia followed — mostly in rain, which everyone agreed was unusual for that time of year. One afternoon, a photographer led us to a water crossing where the rally would pass through. I was wearing white Nikes and ripped jeans, which became a problem when the trail to the viewing spot turned into an actual hill climb through thick bushes, jumping ponds, and squeezing through barbwire fences. We made it. Set up and waited.
After about two hours it started getting colder. One of the guys made a fire, which helped until it rained again. Then, finally, motorcycles. A few at a time, each choosing different lines through the water. Some came through flying, throwing spray five feet into the air. Some went slowly. The content got good once people started getting stuck and face-planting. A few hours of watching, a hike back to the Panda, a beer, and back on the road. At night, everyone returned to the hotel, washed off the day, and started again.
The Last Night of the Deus Rally di Sardegna
One of the later days included more off-roading and time at an MX track, which was its own kind of fun. The last night, the group stayed at a beautiful hotel. By the end of dinner, the guys had crowded around the piano and were singing together — the kind of moment that tends to happen at the end of a long trip when the defenses come down.
The final morning was the best of the entire trip. Sunny, warm, not a cloud in sight. Everyone headed back to the port for one last party on the boat. That night, with the trip almost over, people found their spots and traded more stories. I came with great friends and left with new ones — Olympic athletes, photographers, fashion people, and two American women who had flown to Italy to drive a friend’s Fiat Panda he had originally run in the Mongol Rally. Another trip for the books, and one I am deeply grateful to have been a part of. The Deus Rally di Sardegna is an event worth knowing — it sits in the same calendar tradition as the European press season that produces events like EICMA, but with a completely different energy — details on upcoming editions can be found on the Deus Ex Machina website.
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