Kansas might not be a state known for its rally raid scene, but Matthew Ransom and Justin Jumet are looking to put it on the sport’s map by qualifying for the 2027 Dakar Rally.

The two are friends and co-founders of Off Piste Adventure, a grassroots North American rally team and training program. They compete regularly in rallies throughout the continent such as the Baja Rally and Sonora Rally, while also doing adventure rides around the United States.

At the latest Sonora Rally last March, Ransom finished eighth overall and seventh in Pro while Jumet was 11th outright and eighth in the same category. Ransom first appeared at Sonora in 2020, while Jumet was fairly new to the discipline with his first rally being the 2024 Coast 2 Coast.

Ransom entered the Baja Rally later in October, where he’s officially listed as a DNF but made it back despite a fractured collarbone. Jumet, on the other hand, spent much of the second half of 2025 either competing in races like hare scrambles or being sidelined by a broken foot and knee.

Sonora is a common stomping ground for American Dakar aspirants. It is on the Road to Dakar, meaning completing the race earns eight points to increase one’s chances of being accepted for the Dakar Rally. Race organizers also offer rewards like the Dakar Dreams Challenge, whose inaugural winner Brandon Krause got $10,000 waived from his Dakar entry fee before making his debut earlier this year.

Off Piste Adventure also backed three riders including Ransom during the lone Sonora Rally that was on the World Rally-Raid Championship in 2023. Racing in the National Enduro class, Ransom retired when the bike shut off on the last day.

Given their shared home state, Jumet and Ransom have aptly called their campaign “Kansas to Dakar”. Ransom hails from Manhattan while Jumet is from Girard.

Donations to support the team can be made at Off Piste Adventure’s K2D page.

Featured image credit: Matthew Ransom