Dakar 2006

[DarrenSkilton]

As Dakar info and announcements come up over the coming weeks I will keep everyone updated. This year is another important year for American racers both on bikes and car. Mark has a huge opportunity with VW and should be congratulated on his success. Robby is putting forth a big homegrown effort and Ronn Bailey will also be flying the US colors. On bikes we have seven entries including Kellon Walsh and Chris Blais, plus one Harley Davidson side car.

The course layout will be announced Nov. 22nd along with the final entry list. Look for this year to be the most difficult navigation rally in 15 years. ASO has hidden all GPS points and checkpoints. The racers will have to navigate within 3km before their GPS recognizes it has arrived at these points. Only a roadbook and your compass heading will be able to guide you.

The organizers of the Dakar have also reserved the right to invert the starting order of some of the longer stages. This is to allow the amateur teams more daylight hours of driving. The feeling was the privateer teams left as late as four hours after the factory guys giving them a torn up course and less daylight hours to finish the stage in a slower car. Hopefully it will help get everyone in the bivouac each night and keep ASO from having to cancel stages to collect everyone up. As for fuel range, nothing has changed in the cars. It is still 500 miles. The bikes have had their range reduced.

If people have questions about the rally feel free to post and I will try to get the right answers. We will also try to have regular posts during the race to keep you updated on the goings on in Africa. www. Dakar.com will also have live GPS tracking with the Iritrack system on all cars and bikes this year.

[TROPHYSEDAN]

Derren thanks for the info. What are you guys racing this year. Best of luck to you and your team over there. All the American teams. Some day i hope to race Dakar. Dennis

[powerbox_builder]

Darren,
I have always wondered just what the notes look like in a Rally/road book. Is there any way you could post or scan a couple of pages for us to see. Maybe from last year? Its hard to get an idea of how you guys navigate compared to the stuff we do in Baja.

Rick St John

[powerbox_builder]

Darren,
I have always wondered just what the notes look like in a Rally/road book. Is there any way you could post or scan a couple of pages for us to see. Maybe from last year? Its hard to get an idea of how you guys navigate compared to the stuff we do in Baja.

Rick St John

[Chase 2]

The course layout will be announced Nov. 22nd along with the final entry list. Look for this year to be the most difficult navigation rally in 15 years. ASO has hidden all GPS points and checkpoints. The racers will have to navigate within 3km before their GPS recognizes it has arrived at these points. Only a roadbook and your compass heading will be able to guide you.

Back to the good old days! Not that you could just "fly direct" to the checkpoint with the former GPS systems, but this adds an additional element of challenge. IMHO it gives guys like Peterhansel, Alphond, or anyone who has lead the race on a bike a big advantage, those guys are just phenomenal at navigation at speed.

If people have questions about the rally feel free to post and I will try to get the right answers.

Since you said feel free to ask....Word in some of the shops say you will be navigating for RG, any comments or do we have to wait for after SEMA?

Finally, thanks for keeping us informed, and good luck!

[mrlowfriction17]

anyone know who robby is teaming with?

[DarrenSkilton]

Although I do not have a scanned page of a roadbook handy, you can see the symbols used at the following link.

http://www.dakar.com/2006/presentation/docs/roadbook.pdf

[Chris_Wilson]

What? No symbol for bad guys with automatic weapons? ;>) Good luck!

[younggunracer]

You have to love Dakar what an amazing race. Hope everyone has a safe race and the American teams kick butt.

[DarrenSkilton]

Here is a tentative OLN television schedule for the 2006 Dakar Rally. We are very excited to announce that we will have same day daily coverage from the 31st Dec. until the end of the rally Jan. 15th. I believe times are EST.

Dakar 30 Minute Show: 12/31 through 1/15 at 3p
Dakar: (five 1 hrs ) 1 hr Sundays at 10p starting 1/8 through 1/22.
On 1/29 OLN will air two hours at 10p

[JrSyko]

Don't forget Andy Grider on the KTM/Red Bull/Respol Team

[PBR]

Here is a tentative OLN television schedule for the 2006 Dakar Rally. We are very excited to announce that we will have same day daily coverage from the 31st Dec. until the end of the rally Jan. 15th. I believe times are EST.

Dakar 30 Minute Show: 12/31 through 1/15 at 3p
Dakar: (five 1 hrs ) 1 hr Sundays at 10p starting 1/8 through 1/22.
On 1/29 OLN will air two hours at 10p


i was very happy to hear what oln's plans were for the race... a new big shot came into oln and cleaned house and really wanted to make dakar a success on tv... i don't think anyone involved with last years show will have anything to do with this years show (including myself).

[Rory]

i was very happy to hear what oln's plans were for the race... a new big shot came into oln and cleaned house and really wanted to make dakar a success on tv... i don't think anyone involved with last years show will have anything to do with this years show (including myself).

Thank Gawd Ollie, you really screwed it up last year. BTW can I get copies of the Dakar DVD's from last year? ;)

[Will_Higman]

Rory

I can’t believe you have time to post!!?? You’re prepping your racecar for Laughlin and you are backed up on the latest and greatest Wardy designs.

Get back to work!

Will

[steveG]

Ollie, what kind of work did you do for the Dakar?

[Rory]

Ollie, what kind of work did you do for the Dakar?

Sorry Will, Where are my manners?!?!?!

[Brad Falin]

Go Ron Bailly and Robby gordon

[knucklemeat]

also watch for northern californian charlie rauseo and his two team mates pedro uriarte and steve krymock (? sp on names)on privateer KTMs. charlie and his brother dave both finished the race last year (also on privateer bikes).will post web site when i find info. i am stoked to be a small part in there efforts as i painted the fairings for the bikes last month and hopefully will also be painting the helmets for the '07 effort.best of luck to all.

[PBR]

Ollie, what kind of work did you do for the Dakar?


i was one of the editors for the oln shows.

[DMSRACE]

Rory

I can’t believe you have time to post!!?? You’re prepping your racecar for Laughlin and you are backed up on the latest and greatest Wardy designs.




All Rory needs to prep his racecar is RACE FUEL!!!!!

Nothing but love for ya Wardy....

[MX304]

Robby's co-dog from last year thinks Robby is placing himself "in gave danger" by atempting to run his own team at DAKAR this year. From:http://www.eurosport.com/profile/rally/84099/_7892?pages/sport

"Robby Gordon's Dakar Rally teammate from last winter, Dider Von Zitzer
has considrable doubts wheather Robby Gordon will finish, or even come out of this winter's Dakar without putting himself in serious danger.Gordon will field his own Hummer team this year.
"We had a hard time controlling him, as we got into the later stages.We won the first stage last year, but I could have driven that stage blindfolded.I understand his skill at off-road racing, that's why they put him in a truck.But toward the end, he would not listen to any of of the navigators.He rolled us over once, and we came away with a couple of scratches.But I can't begin to imagine the mess he's going to get himself into operating his own team through the tundra.I just really hope that he does not seriously injure himself or his crew".

OUCH!!!

[BAJACATDIESEL]

Darren is that the same truck Barry rolled last year in the dunes ?

[deleted]

Robby's co-dog from last year thinks Robby is placing himself "in gave danger" by atempting to run his own team at DAKAR this year. From:http://www.eurosport.com/profile/rally/84099/_7892?pages/sport

"Robby Gordon's Dakar Rally teammate from last winter, Dider Von Zitzer
has considrable doubts wheather Robby Gordon will finish, or even come out of this winter's Dakar without putting himself in serious danger.Gordon will field his own Hummer team this year.
"We had a hard time controlling him, as we got into the later stages.We won the first stage last year, but I could have driven that stage blindfolded.I understand his skill at off-road racing, that's why they put him in a truck.But toward the end, he would not listen to any of of the navigators.He rolled us over once, and we came away with a couple of scratches.But I can't begin to imagine the mess he's going to get himself into operating his own team through the tundra.I just really hope that he does not seriously injure himself or his crew".

OUCH!!!

I want to see Dirk eat his words, Dirk is a navigator, but Robby's determination will overcome dirks bad mouthing!!!!

[bufeo]

And...what about Scott Whitney and Duane McDowell on a HARLEY-DAVIDSON USA (HOG WILD RACING)?!

[DarrenSkilton]

Another piece of late breaking news.

Jonah Street will be taking the place of injured Mexicn rider Pedro Uriarte. Street will be riding with Charlie Rauseo and his Rally Pan America team. www.rallypanam.com. Good luck to all the US competitors this year.

[MARK]

Sounds like Dirk was scared, and that was in a VW. He should go for a ride with him in Mexico !!!

[chino]

Another piece of late breaking news.

Jonah Street will be taking the place of injured Mexicn rider Pedro Uriarte. Street will be riding with Charlie Rauseo and his Rally Pan America team. www.rallypanam.com. Good luck to all the US competitors this year.


Anyone has more info on how he got ingured or his condition, he did very well last year for a priveteer and besides of that we gotta root for this guy since he is the only Mexican Entry for this year's Dakar.

[steveG]

Sounds like Dirk was scared, and that was in a VW. He should go for a ride with him in Mexico !!!

All I know about the Dakar is what I see on TV and read in magazines. That said, I've never seen pics or video of any Dakar race vehicle doing anything remotely similar to what we see Trophy Trucks do on a regular basis. I'm sure the fact that here drivers are able to prerun the course and race the course many times in their careers has something to do with it...


I'm also curious about the notebooks and navigation. This may be a dumb question, but does each navigator make his own notebook? Are they able to prerun the course? What about GPS and GPS mapping of the course???

[Chase 2]

Robby's co-dog from last year thinks Robby is placing himself "in gave danger" by atempting to run his own team at DAKAR this year. From:http://www.eurosport.com/profile/rally/84099/_7892?pages/sport

All I get is "Page Not Found" from that link.

Interesting that a co driver would turn on someone they had gone through the Darkar with. Could there be more to the story than we know?

I want to see Dirk eat his words, Dirk is a navigator, but Robby's determination will overcome dirks bad mouthing!!!!

Before we all start bashing allow me to provide the following quote from another thread: guys (and ladies) if you are going to post on any forum.. send and e-mail or communicate in any kind of written form without the aid of verbal and visual (body language) aides THERE will be MIS UNDERSTANDINGS and incorrect and correct assumptions of what you said, wanted to say etc.

Do you think that any thing additional could be lost in the translation from German to English? But then again I wonder how much of what Dirk said was actual bad mouthing and how much was actual concern for RG & DS’s safety based on his own personal experience riding through the dunes with RG?? Personally, I hope that Dirks fears don’t come true. Historically, it’s the Co-dog that comes out on the short end.

[Mark_Miller]

Dirk is a friend of Robbys and meant no disrespect at all I am sure of that. Dirk has been in a trophy truck, he rode the qualifying lap at parker with Robby last year. I think Dirk was making a genuine comment of concern because he knows Robby is in a high risk sitution. The guy has 11 gold medals at the ISDE and is a 14 time German National Enduro Champion, In his first Dakar on a bike he finished 4th. He has been with Robby, Ryan Arciero, Carlos Sainz, Giniel De Villiars, Jutta Kleinschmidt, and me. I doubt very seriously that you can call him scared. He also has done testing in the drivers seat for VW and is very knowledgable. Dakar is not at all like Baja with the race notes and because of the notes it can be very sketchy. For sure we all will be on the edge.

[bufeo]

Mark, Darren, anybody????

I see the list of entrants posted on the Dakar web site, but when will--and where will the individual numbers be posted?

[Bohr7]

Chase, thank you for bringing this to the attention of those that read this thread. I didn't want to discredit anyone without concrete knowledge of such but the page isn't there via the link and the name was misspelled. I can't fathom Dirk bashing Robby like that..............he's always spoken so highly of him. Robby is certainly a loose cannon in some respects but he's always been in control enough to use that to his advantage. When Robby and Dirk's VW fell behind, they were told to be the support to Jutta for which Robby was clearly displeased but he also did what he needed to do for the team, he didn't go off half-cocked. I refuse to believe that he would put Darren in a brand new team and hang it all out at the expense of his or Darren's life or well being. Nor would Darren allow him to.

On a brighter note, does anyone know how Andy did yesterday with Robby in that H3 on a pre-run? That kid has GOT to be on cloud 9 getting to ride in that hummer for the first time.

[Mark_Miller]

I only know That I am 308

[bufeo]

Thanks Mark,

I'll plug that into Iritrack when the time comes. Have a safe and successful Rally!

Allen

[Chase 2]

I only know That I am 308

Mark,

On the VW team, who has what color stripe on the roof above the windshield? It's easier to see that stripe than it is numbers on the doors and with five of you on the team, next to impossible to tell who is who.

[DarrenSkilton]

American competitors Race Numbers that I have been released so far (note:these are subject to confirmation)

Blais 9
Grider 23
Street 42
Krynock 98
Rauseo 99
Embro 132
Miller 309
Gordon 335

[Mark_Miller]

Darren, this was the email I got is it wrong?
The VW race numbers are


301 Bruno/Michel
303 Jutta/Fabrizia
305 Giniel/Tina
307 Carlos/Andi
308 Mark/Dirk
309 Stephan/Antonia

[FullsizeFun]

another American team Scott Whitney and Duane McDowell on a Harley V-Rod powered Sidehack. I used to race Sidehack Motocross with Scott.
http://www.hogwildracing.com/

[knucklemeat]

Anyone has more info on how he got ingured or his condition, he did very well last year for a priveteer and besides of that we gotta root for this guy since he is the only Mexican Entry for this year's Dakar.
the press release that charlie sent me only said " knee injuries sustained while practicing in mexico" and they hope to have pedro back for future dakars. tough break for sure,but it sounds like he'll be back soon.

[DarrenSkilton]

More US competitor #'s

Heath 180
Whitney 242
Bailey 354

[Hog Wild]

Darren, I have always wondered just what the notes look like in a Rally/road book. Is there any way you could post or scan a couple of pages for us to see. Maybe from last year? Its hard to get an idea of how you guys navigate compared to the stuff we do in Baja. Rick St JohnA 2004 Dakar roadbook sample from Charlie Rauseo, with his personal highlighting:
http://www.charliedakar.com/data/images/roadbook_web.jpg

A similar roadbook sheet we used this year in [Death Valley Rally] (http://www.hogwildracing.com/blog/index.php?itemid=24):

http://www.hogwildracing.com/blog/media/1/Death Valley Rally - RoadbookSample050813_4web.jpg

I'm also curious about the notebooks and navigation. This may be a dumb question, but does each navigator make his own notebook? Are they able to prerun the course? What about GPS and GPS mapping of the course???

The official roadbook sheet (VERY long roll of paper) is handed out for each stage the night before. So, racers don't know the exact route until then. Therefore it's not possible to pre-run Dakar, unless you do it like I did [see "Pre-running Dakar" HERE (http://www.hogwildracing.com/blog/index.php?catid=1&blogid=1)]. Competitors are not allowed their own GPS units. All use the same official GPS units provided by the race organization. This year (different from last year), the only thing the GPS will tell you is your speed and direction. No current position, no mapping, no visible waypoints until you are within 3km of them. Basically, you only use the GPS to check your heading, in those cases where the roadbook provides a heading! You must navigate using the instructions on the roadbook, which tells you distance to next landmark or turn, direction to turn, sometimes a heading, and the various other symbols and French acronyms for assorted things. i.e. “D” means RIGHT, “G” means Left, and “TDSPP” means keep straight on the main track (tout droit sur piste principale). It’s all very simple, as long as you can read French!

--------------------------------

Here’s an insightful radio interview of Charlie Rauseo and gang regarding their upcoming Dakar participation:
http://www.amfmpodcast.com/PodCast/KFOGBigRickDakar.mp3

--------------------------------

Links to the American invasion:
9 Chris Blais - blaisracing.com (http://www.blaisracing.com/)
23 Andy Grider - griderracing.com (http://www.GriderRacing.com/)
42 Jonah Street - rallypanam.com (http://www.rallypanam.com/)
98 Mike Krynock - rallypanam.com (http://www.rallypanam.com/)
99 Charlie Rauseo - rallypanam.com (http://www.rallypanam.com/)
132 James Embro - none
180 Kevin Heath - KevinsMidLifeCrisis.com (http://www.kevinsmidlifecrisis.com/)
242 Scott Whitney / Duane McDowell - HogWildRacing.com (http://www.hogwildracing.com/)

309 Mark Miller / Dirk Von Zitzewitz - markmillerracing.com (http://www.markmillerracing.com/)
335 Robby Gordon / Darren Skilton - robbygordon.com (http://www.robbygordon.com/)
354 Ronn Bailey / Herve Cotel - vanguardracing.com (http://www.vanguardracing.com/)

--------------------------------

Only 2 more weeks and we fly to Portugal!

[steveG]

Wow, thanks for all the info. I've always been curious about how racers navigate the Dakar. At times it seems like the racers are driving around aimlessly, so I figured they didn't have much to go on.

[Chase 2]

OMG Hogwild! What an incredible effort you guys are making. Thanks for posting the link to your site, it is awesome! Now that I’ve seen what you guys are riding I know I’ll be following your progress daily. It's going to take some time studying your site in oder to figure out just exactly what's going on with that bike. I was a Monkey years and years ago in a Dist. 37 race, so I know a little bit of what you are up against. Best of luck.

[bufeo]

Great posting and info Hog Wild. Many thanks.

Andy Grider's website is Andy@GriderRacing.com

Good luck to you.

On Edit: P.S. HW, Wow! I just visited your website. That's some really exciting stuff, and I know it's not new...just new to me.

[Hog Wild]

Here is the tentative schedule for TV coverage of the Dakar Rally in the USA. All coverage is on OLN TV (Outdoor Life Network). Times below are Eastern Time, so subtract 3 hours for those of us on the West coast. This is over 20 hours of broadcast time!!!

SUN 1/1/2006 4:00pm - 4:30pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Highlights

MON 1/2/2006 4:00pm - 4:30pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Highlights
TUE 1/3/2006 4:00pm - 4:30pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Highlights
WED 1/4/2006 4:00pm - 4:30pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Highlights
THU 1/5/2006 4:00pm - 4:30pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Highlights
FRI 1/6/2006 4:00pm - 4:30pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Highlights
SAT 1/7/2006 4:00pm - 4:30pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Highlights
SUN 1/8/2006 4:00pm - 4:30pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Highlights

MON 1/9/2006 4:00pm - 4:30pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Highlights
TUE 1/10/2006 4:00pm - 4:30pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Highlights
WED 1/11/2006 4:00pm - 4:30pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Highlights
THU 1/12/2006 4:00pm - 4:30pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Highlights
FRI 1/13/2006 4:00pm - 4:30pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Highlights
SAT 1/14/2006 4:00pm - 4:30pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Highlights
SAT 1/14/2006 7:00pm - 8:00pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Rally
SAT 1/14/2006 10:00pm - 11:00pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Rally
SUN 1/15/2006 1:00am - 2:00am Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Rally
SUN 1/15/2006 4:00pm - 4:30pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Highlights

SAT 1/21/2006 8:00pm - 9:00pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Rally
SAT 1/21/2006 11:00pm - 12:00am Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Rally
SUN 1/22/2006 2:00am - 3:00am Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Rally

SAT 1/28/2006 10:00pm - 11:00pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Rally
SAT 1/28/2006 11:00pm - 12:00am Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Rally
SUN 1/29/2006 2:00am - 3:00am Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Rally

MON 1/30/2006 3:00pm - 4:00pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Rally
MON 1/30/2006 4:00pm - 5:00pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Rally
MON 1/30/2006 5:00pm - 6:00pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Rally
MON 1/30/2006 6:00pm - 7:00pm Eastern Time (EST) Dakar Rally

------------------------------------

Practicing for Dakar on 3 wheels (video):
http://www.hogwildracing.com/dumont/050528/Dumont050528TomBridgeford0323x800_t.jpg (mms://media.rallyraid.co.uk/rally/hoginthedunes.wmv)

[FullsizeFun]

there you are Scott
I wasn't sure if you still check up on here much.
Good luck to you!

[steveG]

Scott, you guys are animals attacking Dakar on a bike. Have you competed in the Dakar before?

[Hog Wild]

Scott, you guys are animals attacking Dakar on a bike. Have you competed in the Dakar before?We're not "attacking". We're trying to "survive"!

We've never raced Dakar, but before the start we will be staying at a Holiday Inn.

[Rory]

We're not "attacking". We're trying to "survive"!

We've never raced Dakar, but before the start we will be staying at a Holiday Inn.

"I don't care who you are, Now thats funny"!!!!!!!

[steveG]

We're not "attacking". We're trying to "survive"!

We've never raced Dakar, but before the start we will be staying at a Holiday Inn.


lol, that's good stuff. Maybe "begging the Dakar for mercy" Would have been more appropriate? HAHA

[Bohr7]

Hog Wild, that's flippin hilarious! Best of Luck and prayers to you guys, what a grueling way to get baptised by fire! We'll all be expecting updates, after you come off the podium that is...........;)

How does the cycle contingency compare to that of Mark and Darren's?

[Hog Wild]

there you are Scott I wasn't sure if you still check up on here much. Good luck to you!Thanks Dave. Your earlier link to our site brought some new visitors, so I came here to see what was up. Lots of good stuff here. Thanks for watching out for us!

...How does the cycle contingency compare to that of Mark and Darren's?We have lots of contingencies. I call them "contingency plans". They mostly relate to how we are going to fix a breakdown. As far as money, prizes, product, etc., it appears sidecars get a trophy and a handshake.

[CharlieIII]

Best of luck to you guys. Have fun and be safe....

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Hog Wild you have a truly interesting ride there bro. Wow!

Is that a BFG on the back of that beast? How long did it take to build that?

Man, you too are really going for it. My eyes will be glued to your progress. Man!

[subrunner]

Hogwild, How is your sidecar guy(not the driver) going to last all of those days standing up and with all that activity? Not being negative, just curious. You've got to be a tough S.O.B. to do what you guys are doing.

Best of luck!!!

[Hog Wild]

...Is that a BFG on the back of that beast? How long did it take to build that?Yes, 15" BFG front and rear (left photo). Though we have been testing a MONSTER knobby in the rear (middle photo). Side is 13" Michelin M4 Rally. We are also running Tire Balls (http://www.tireballs.com/) to help avoid flats (right photo), since we can't easily fit a spare on this rig.
http://hogwildracing.com/blog/media/1/thumb_FrontWheelDone13.jpg (http://hogwildracing.com/blog/media/1/FrontWheelDone13.jpg) http://hogwildracing.com/blog/media/1/thumb_Aligator_Tire_84.jpg (http://hogwildracing.com/blog/media/1/Aligator_Tire_84.jpg) http://hogwildracing.com/blog/media/1/thumb_TireBalls_013_x640.jpg (http://hogwildracing.com/blog/media/1/TireBalls_013_x640.jpg)

Build Time?
It's probably never really done being built. We were adding and improving things right up til the day we put it on the boat for Portugal. But it all started in 2000 while sitting on the roadside at Pikes Peak Hillclimb with a blown motor. I decided at that moment that we needed a new bike. It was first running in 2001, though with a Suzuki motor. We later upgraded to the V-Rod after a serious motor failure while testing at Dumont Dunes. There have been a zillion changes since then, keeping me busy in the garage through a lot of late nights. That whole story is HERE (http://www.hogwildracing.com/blog/index.php?catid=6&blogid=1) under "Why this crazy machine".


Hogwild, How is your sidecar guy(not the driver) going to last all of those days standing up and with all that activity?...I don't know?

Actually, my "passenger" Duane has two places where he can sort of sit while in smooth sections. There's the sidecar fender, or the aluminum "supplies" box beside the driver's seat. Both are rock hard, and sized for about one cheek!

For Dakar we don't expect a lot of turns, so he can pretty much just stand there. It's quite the mellow ride (VIDEO#9 (http://www.hogwildracing.com/video/Part4%20BackSide.wmv)).


http://www.hogwildracing.com/misc/Rear40Croppedx256.gif

[Chase 2]

I though I'd bring this back over to whre the discussion was more about your racing Dakar.

Who are those guys anyway?

Actually, we stopped doing the crazy stuff when we got old. But others still get crazy.

We head to Portugal on Wednesday for final Dakar prep. We'll carry a hefty tow rope just in case we have to tow a VW or Hummer in to the bivouac. ha ha!

OMG, those two looking up at the other hack is classic! I remember when the "Euro's" came over with thier version of side hacks years ago. I saw a race at Corriganville (Hopetown) Dirt Diggers Grand Prix. They absolutely blew our doors off, much like Joel Robert, Roger DeCoster and the others did on two wheels previously.

So from what I'm seeing they don't call them Sidehacks anymore and what used to be called a monkey is now a passenger??

[Mark Newhan]

Hogwild!

You guys rock... Good luck!

[Mark Newhan]

And good luck to Mark Miller, Robby and Darren, Blaise and the others...

[baja619]

WoW, Hog you are a fing nut crazy bastard. Best of luck to you in the Sahara.

I visted your site a while ago, You have some great pictures on there.

Coupe of questions

Have you thought about wearing a spare like some kind of backpack?

How hard/ heavy is the bike to ride in the dunes with 2 riders?

How will you passange read the navigation notes and still hold on?

If your passanger is injured (knock on wood) during a stage to the point where he can no longer go on are you allowed to continue, Could you swith rider with the navigator?

Just curios.

Thanks

[gomer]

Slighty off topic, but does anyone have the original size of this pic from last years Dakar race? Or any other shots of this pile of sand. Thanks.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v679/huntingtonstyle/1163dakar_rally_1_1.jpg

[CharlieIII]

Duuude, I just watched your video. I had a big a** grin the whole time. What a wild ride.

One question. How do you guys communicate? Will you have intercoms?

[gomer]

Duuude, I just watched your video. I had a big a** grin the whole time. What a wild ride.

One question. How do you guys communicate? Will you have intercoms?
It sometimes helps to specify who you are talking to...

[ChuckH]

Slighty off topic, but does anyone have the original size of this pic from last years Dakar race? Or any other shots of this pile of sand. Thanks.


Another dune shot ( edit hit go at the end of the url on your browser to see it )

http://image10.webshots.com/10/2/26/71/147922671OyBVvd_fs.jpg

[ChuckH]

It sometimes helps to specify who you are talking to...

Sometimes it also helps if you read the whole thread ;)
i agree though that often you can tell who people are replying too.

Hog posted this vid link about 4-5 posts up above
http://www.hogwildracing.com/video/Part4%20BackSide.wmv

There are some longer vids on his site
http://www.hogwildracing.com

[CharlieIII]

It sometimes helps to specify who you are talking to...

Let me be more specific, at the end of the video Hogwild posted, it looked like the rider and "passenger" were talking to each other the good ol fashion way. Will or do they have intercoms?

[JrSyko]

You guys are nuts! Good luck!

[DarrenSkilton]

Today was technical inspections our team. It was a long day but we had a fantastic reception from the media and the Portugese public. In fact everyone in Portugal has been great. Really helpful and really enthusiastic for the Dakar and our team. It has been a lot of work and the guys have put their heart and soul into getting all the vehicles ready. Besides the race H3 we have two Mercedes support vehicles (one 4x4 and one 6x6) and two H1 hummers. Our five vehicle caravan looked great going down the road to scutineering together. We have one more day to prepare and then the journey begins. We have a difficult starting position (car# 335 is 35th off the line), so we will have to be smart in traffic the first two days before we get to the deserts of Morocco. Thanks for the support, we all appreciate it here!

Darren

[ShaneR]

Good luck! Go make us all proud, we will be watching, reading, and any thing else we can get to keep track of you guys! Wish I was there, maybe some year!

[bufeo]

Darren,

Good luck to all of you! We'll be keeping track, literally--even at 0200 AZ time--and wish all of you the very best.

Say hi to son-in-law, Grider...daughter, Anne, too, for that matter. Neither is computer-challenged, but I know all of you have lots going on. Thanks for taking the time to communicate. Be sure to autograph granddaughter's cast. :)

[klaus]

so it passed tech then I assume.

I heard that ASO the organizer opened up the rules to include SCORE legal vehicles in an effort to attract more North American entries. Did you guys have to depend on that rule (if what I have heard is even true)?

[Chase 2]

so it passed tech then I assume.

I heard that ASO the organizer opened up the rules to include SCORE legal vehicles in an effort to attract more North American entries. Did you guys have to depend on that rule (if what I have heard is even true)?

I had heard about possible rule changes like you mentioned, but I couldn't find anything on ASO or FIA. RG's site reported it took 9 hours to get through tech, dang.

[Bohr7]

Chase, wasn't that supposed to be like record time or something? I can't imagine standing around that long with a first time team for the sanction not knowing what to expect.

Darren, the biggest kudos we can give to you guys for this effort!! Best of luck and all the prayers in the world! Happy New Year's to you guys and Big, fat Happy Birthday to Robby for us!! :D

[Eric]

Good Luck Robby. Darrin and the entire DakarUSA team, I would like to see the Baja technology put in the H3 do well!

[erikh]

Good luck everyone. The updates are great. Thanks for the hard work Darren, Mark and everyone else keeping us updated.

erik

[FlyHiFlyLo]

The Battle Begins tomorrow @ 1:47AM PST!

[MarcoM]

Robby, Darren, " Duro Con Ellos" Buena Suerte.
"NO MERCY"
Marcom.

[picone]

The Miller/VonZetzwitz team pulled a 10th OA in stage one + 3:40 behind the VW of Sainz...Lookin' good Mark, Keep it up.

Robby Godon & Darren Skilton brought in a conservative 14th OA position today, just + 4:39 behind the leader.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Looks like all is doing well.

Tomorrow could get crazy with the racers. They says it's like a wet Pikes Peak.

[Rory]

Looks like all is doing well.

Tomorrow could get crazy with the racers. They says it's like a wet Pikes Peak.

Mark should do well in the next couple stages with the 4WD, but I look for Robby to stay where he's at until the next 3 or 4 stages when the race course comes to him. Anxious to see the H3 in the BIG stuff. Hopefully the Euro's will be scratching their heads!

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Mark should do well in the next couple stages with the 4WD, but I look for Robby to stay where he's at until the next 3 or 4 stages when the race course comes to him. Anxious to see the H3 in the BIG stuff. Hopefully the Euro's will be scratching their heads!

Robby had a few issues. He had 34 cars in front of him. I expect a real hum-dinger tomorrow. Mark did very well today. I can't wait for the big stuff either!

[FlyHiFlyLo]

I paid for the Preimum service on Raid Live. it seems as though it really doesn't offer a bunch. actually I'm disapointed for my 15 bucks. They do a video recap of each stage that seems to be the only thing right now. But, if anything good pops up I will attempt to share the wealth. >>>Wink wink<<<.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Well this sums up what Darrin is in for!!

After taking the applause from the appreciative Portuguese fans, Gordon backed down the starting ramp and came over the top with his wheels in the air!

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Standings after stage 2

http://raid.racing-live.com/dakar/en/season/live/auto_g_live2.shtml

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Stage 3 has began.

[Rory]

Stage 3 has began.
RANKING STAGE CAR Pos. N° Name Make Time Variation Penalty
1 314 SCHLESSER (FRA)
BORSOTTO (FRA) SCHLES-FORD-RAID 02:50:58 00:00:00
2 306 MASUOKA (JAP)
MAIMON (FRA) MITSUBISHI 02:51:17 00:00:19
3 300 PETERHANSEL (FRA)
COTTRET (FRA) MITSUBISHI 02:51:35 00:00:37
4 303 KLEINSCHMIDT (ALL)
PONS (ITA) VOLKSWAGEN 02:51:54 00:00:56
5 335 GORDON (USA)
SKILTON (USA) HUMMER 02:52:28 00:01:30
6 304 ROMA (ESP)
MAGNE (FRA) MITSUBISHI 02:52:32 00:01:34
7 309 MILLER (USA)
VON ZITZEWITZ (ALL) VOLKSWAGEN 02:53:12 00:02:14
8 301 SABY (FRA)
PERIN (FRA) VOLKSWAGEN 02:53:18 00:02:20
9 305 DE VILLIERS (AFS)
THORNER (SUE) VOLKSWAGEN 02:53:26 00:02:28
10 308 AL ATTIYAH (QAT)
GUEHENNEC (FRA) BMW 02:54:34 00:03:36
11 302 ALPHAND (FRA)
PICARD (FRA) MITSUBISHI 02:57:26 00:06:28
12 307 SAINZ (ESP)
SCHULZ (ALL) VOLKSWAGEN 02:57:42 00:06:44
13 311 SOUSA (POR)
LURQUIN (BEL) NISSAN 03:00:31 00:09:33

[bufeo]

And in the Motos, Andy Grider #23 comes in second, first U.S. entrant to make it to the podium in the 2006 Rally.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

And in the Motos, Andy Grider #23 comes in second, first U.S. entrant to make it to the podium in the 2006 Rally.


Great! he's just warmimg up.

[bufeo]

If I read the results correctly, Robby Gordon and Andy Grider are both in #8 positions respectively and Mark Miller is in #7. Cool!

[desertbull]

Awesome showing early for the boyz flying the red, white and blue...Congrats!

[elsancho1976]

i hope it aint so but it looks like the Hog-Wild boys are out.... can't seem to find any info on them for the days stage

[bufeo]

Awesome showing early for the boyz flying the red, white and blue...Congrats!

Hey, DB, hear you went by for a brewski and no one was home. :D

[bufeo]

i hope it aint so but it looks like the Hog-Wild boys are out.... can't seem to find any info on them for the days stage

The 'final' results of today's finishers should be posted in about 30 min (1900 GMT). I don't see them listed in the partial results either, but they are also not in the 'Retired' group. Here's a shot of them in Stage 2 being overtaken by a VW.

On Edit: Just did a 'tracking' of #242 and it does indicate that they finished the Stage, but there's a long pause in the first Liaison. Still don't find their number in the results, but, again, they haven't tagged the results as "Finished" yet.

On Edit: After seeing the OLN coverage today, we can see that the VW overtaking the Hog-wild boys here is the Sainz-Schulz Taureg.