nbcsports coverage has begun daily at 5:30est biggest surprise so far is in the truck division with kamaz faltering Loeb leading the cars
I've been getting the press releases and images from Peugeot Media. It's funny because Peugeot were throwing a bit of a wet blanket on their chances vs. Mini as their entries are all brand new but they seem to be going quite well with Loeb leading overall and Peterhansel taking the latest stage win. Pity about the problems at the start with spectators being injured and the weather forcing cancellation of some of the stages. But, now that they're out in the desert things should go well from now on. Still an amazing event as ever. What I'm curious about is the involvement of Red Bull as their logos seem to be on nearly all of the contenders including Peugeot and Mini. It looks as though Red Bull is sponsoring the entire field one way or another. BHW
Seriously a quad ??? That takes some serious balls, I used to ride quads on the dunes.....soft sand mostly and still got beat up badly. But at my age changing a flat can create serious bodily harm. Racing season is just around the corner
third stage and Robbie Gordon is whining already he thinks Peugeot must be cheating because diesels shouldn't do so well at altitude the American Honda rider is doing well
yup. Guy is seriously fast...very smooth rider. I rode with him a couple of times (him on his 700 me on my 660). He won all the offroad trail races last year in South Africa, not been done before IIRC. In 2014 we where in Botswana watching him race in the Dakar Challenge. We had a camp next to the track and he stopped for a chat, even though he had a free entrance to dakar riding on it. He did win the challenge but his first dakar last year didn't last long due to tire/bike trouble on the first 2 days. This year fairing much better. 3rd stage he won, 4th stage 2nd. ****ing risky though as you say. I've fallen of bikes and fallen of quads. I'll take the bike crash any day of the week. Had a few big crashes on quads, no fun .
Think we may all agree that it takes serious stones to do Dakar in any type of vehicle. I get these press releases from Peugeot Media with dozens of images of this new 2008 DKR of theirs. Originally, the drivers were downplaying their chances vs. the Minis as this is a new project but they've obviously got some advantage with 2WD and diesel power. What is interesting is the action of the suspension system on the Peugeot which may seen in full view on the images. They can really lean that thing in the turns. BHW Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Peugeot had a very dissapointing Dakar last year with a similar vehicle, I believe even got mocked for choosing 2WD. So I can fully understand them downplaying their chances. Dakar tech. regulations is limited to either a 4WD system with limited suspension travel or 2WD with more (buggy style) suspension travel. Loeb probably would've liked 4WD yesterday when he got stuck. And by the way the Mini Rallye Raid team has been using diesel engines for years (previously in the X5's), the well known twin-turbo variant as used in many road going BMW's (x35d's), even with similar power 320hp, but with more torque, about 800 NM's.
Thanks for the information. I don't follow Dakar as closely as I should but enjoying keeping up with it this year. BHW
Aussie rider Toby Price going well currently 3rd place overall, took out stage 12 win.. all on debut!
Pity about Loeb and Sainz. Looks like Peterhansel's race to lose now. BHW Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Another stage win on quads for Baragwanath yesterday, his 2nd now. Climbing up again after some issues and time penalty.
... And a mate of mine Sean Reitz (fellow Ferrari club member) is doing his first Dakar in the #375 Nissan. No 43 overall, including rolling the car on the same stage as Loeb.
Good stuff, best to him! Baragwanath is South African . 3rd overall now, behind the Patronelli brothers who are a legend in their craft. He finished 2nd yesterday. Not bad for his ''first'' Dakar (as last years Challenge ended prematurely after the first day, riddled with issues).
I haven't been following motorsport in the last few years nearly as much as I used to. I was pleasantly surprised, then disappointed to see Sebastien Loeb. He was always one of my favorites to watch and a great personality in the sport.
..and a WIN to Toby Price in the bikes. First Aussie to be on the podium in the Dakar. Daylight 2nd with +39m margin to the start of the rest of the field.
Final stage won by Baragwanath on quads, secured 3rd overal. Great result for him behind the legendary Patronelli brothers.
encouraging results for the American riders disappointing end for Gordon DNF in the final stage will he return