Ford tech boss joins enduro chairy race

Loriaux, 44, will ride a KTM 250 as part of the Belgian national team, facing up to 500 riders from 30 countries in the six-day race. Those six days include 930 miles of racing against the clock.

"This race is so tough, simply finishing will be one of the biggest physical challenges I have faced in my life," said Loriaux, the man responsible for Ford's current world championship challenger, the Fiesta RS WRC.

Loriaux is no stranger to Enduro racing, having competed on two wheels for the last 20 years and while an entry in the ISDE is the realisation of a dream, Loriaux wanted to put his dream to good use.

He added: "As well as coping with the physical demands, I wanted to use my participation to raise money for a children's charity. I've chosen Sparks and I'm fortunate enough to have attracted considerable sponsorship from a wide range of partners. All the money raised will be donated directly to Sparks, and I'm truly grateful to the support of so many people and companies who have donated to such a worthwhile cause."

Loriax has set himself the task of trying to raise £10,000 on what remains one of the oldest motorbike races in the world. First run in 1913 in Cumbria, this year's event runs through the Kotka-Hamina region of southern Finland.