Robby Gordon - Dakar 2007

[obr184]

Whats the go?? Is he only taking one car or has he got more being built??

Will it still be a hummer??

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Whats the go?? Is he only taking one car or has he got more being built??

Will it still be a hummer??


Hummer signed on for two years. They have also built an additional "Race" T-4.
There will also be a great group of drivers and co-drivers.

Nothing released but from what I have gathered it seems another car is being built.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Whats the go?? Is he only taking one car or has he got more being built??

Will it still be a hummer??

yes confirmed to still be a Hummer, with a gas V8....

[Hog Wild]

...There will also be a great group of drivers and co-drivers...RG co-driver : Andy Grider (from Dakar 2006 KTM/Redbull team).

[FlyHiFlyLo]

RG co-driver : Andy Grider (from Dakar 2006 KTM/Redbull team).


Yep... That's the word on the street....;)

Would like to see him in a second Hummer tho.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Here is a trivia question:
What class 10 racer will be driving the race T-4 support truck this year for RGM?

[RacerX1]

Here is a trivia question:
What class 10 racer will be driving the race T-4 support truck this year for RGM?Larry Rosseler! DING DING DING DING!!!
WHAT DO I WIN?! :D

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Larry Rosseler! DING DING DING DING!!!
WHAT DO I WIN?! :D



That would be cool!

[Martin]

Here is a trivia question:
What class 10 racer will be driving the race T-4 support truck this year for RGM?


Billy G

[ShaneR]

Do they need a GREAT co-driver???????

[DEZERTBOUND]

Robby told me at Sonoma, "Billy Gasper" in the support Hummer.

[desertbull]

Also add the Big Dawg ---Tom "Turbo Tom" Geviss --- the current co-dawg at SMD TT and Marking's FOX / Viejas Racing program and previously Larry Ragland's co-dawg in the Nelson & Nelson era...

[Dezert Edge Racing]

what ever happened to darren?


NICK

[Bricoop]

"Robby Gordon Set To Take On the World Once Again"

http://www.robbygordon.com/cms/publish/article_764.shtml

[FlyHiFlyLo]

GM is throwing some bucks at it for sure... Let's see if that 360HP jumps up to 475HP, that fat pig Monster loses MIN 500 LBS of gerth... And some serious Ram air on the restrictor...

[Hog Wild]

"Robby Gordon Set To Take On the World Once Again"
http://www.robbygordon.com/cms/publish/article_764.shtmlLooking forward to Robby (with Andy) putting America in the Dakar record books this time, and the same for Jonah Street or Chris Blais.

There's a small inaccuracy in that press release. It states “A two-time Dakar stage winner and the only American to do so, Gordon has been…”. Last year another American :) won two stages in Dakar, then promptly broke down. :(

[Hemp]

wait, is andy racing? I didnt see any official thing as andy racing or having anything to do with dakar....just curious

hopefully he does though

[Offspring]

wait, is andy racing? I didnt see any official thing as andy racing or having anything to do with dakar....just curious

hopefully he does though

Not McAndy. the other one.

[Hog Wild]

wait, is andy racing? I didnt see any official thing as andy racing or having anything to do with dakar....just curious
hopefully he does thoughApparently Andy Grider is co-driver for RG. Here's the full list:
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21182
Still waiting to see if someone will join Chris Blais on the KTM/Redbull team.

[Hemp]

oh ok i thought he meant mcmillin

[Tyler7]

Hes gonna handle Dakar in 2007 cause this time he knows to avoid that damn camel grass at all cost. HAHAHA cause thats what took him out of the race last year.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Hes gonna handle Dakar in 2007 cause this time he knows to avoid that damn camel grass at all cost. HAHAHA cause thats what took him out of the race last year.


I don't think the Camel Grass took him out... It was a weak bumper and radiator (RG designed) that took him out.

[Bricoop]

I don't think the Camel Grass took him out... It was a weak bumper and radiator (RG designed) that took him out.

Yep they went for looks over performance and that took them out. They've fixed that problem and will be back with avengance this year.

[Hog Wild]

I don't think the Camel Grass took him out... It was a weak bumper and radiator (RG designed) that took him out.Plus his driving mistake, lack of spare replacement part or workaround onboard, lack of adequate repair items onboard, unlucky remote location of incident, troubles with support crew at the same time, and possibly more. I recognize a few of those myself.:o

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Plus his driving mistake, lack of spare replacement part or workaround onboard, lack of adequate repair items onboard, unlucky remote location of incident, troubles with support crew at the same time, and possibly more. I recognize a few of those myself.:o


Yeah, those little things too.

[Tyler7]

Yeah, well I bet he was pissed as hell and cursing about it, but we all learn from our mistakes and carry on, and as far as all the other things listed sometimes it seems like the closer you get the less luck you have with you, so he was bouned to be screwed im that situation. But he's a great drive and will come back and kick *** in 2007. Good luck RG GAS ON!!!!!

[Bricoop]

Here is the official announcement about Andy Grider as the new Team Dakar USA Navigator


Andy Grider Joins Team Dakar USA




ANAHEIM, Calif. (Oct. 2, 2006) – Andy Grider, a native of Long Beach, California, will join Team Dakar USA and Robby Gordon as navigator in their bid to be the first American effort to capture the overall title in the famed endurance race -- the 2007 Dakar Rally.
Grider’s multiple credits include a runner-up finish in the second stage of last year’s Dakar Rally, an overall title in the 2002 Baja 1000, and third overall in the 2005 Tunisian Rally.

Grider, who made his inaugural run during last year’s Dakar Rally for the KTM Factory motorcycle team, will be tasked with guiding Gordon as they maneuver their way through two continents, six countries and 6,000 miles of some of the world’s most uninhabitable terrain. As part of the team that will carry the banner for General Motors’ HUMMER brand and Toyo Tires, Gordon and Grider will compete alongside hundreds of entries from six of the world’s continents.

For nearly 30 years, adventurers from every corner of the globe have been making the journey to Europe to take on the challenge of the world’s most grueling race. Beginning Jan. 6, 2007, competitors will spend 17 days battling the environment and the terrain to make the trek south from Lisbon, Portugal towards the African continent and then to Dakar, Senegal.

Each year Dakar presents new challenges, far beyond those of just the driver and the car, but a test of man. The 6,000 mile race is run on everything from paved roads to sand to terrain covered in jagged rocks, without the aid of GPS, making the navigator an integral part of the success or failure of a team. Competitors leave behind all the comforts of home and make the African wilderness their home during the almost three-week-long event.

“I’m very excited about reaching a lifetime goal with Team Dakar USA and looking forward to standing on the podium in Dakar,” said Grider, 33. “The HUMMER H3 is one of the more technically advanced off-road vehicles out there and it will be a thrill to navigate it through Africa.”

Gordon, owner of Team Dakar USA and driver of the HUMMER H3, will make his third appearance in the Dakar Rally in as many years. A two-time Dakar stage winner and the only American to do so, Gordon has been competing in off-road endurance races since the early 1980’s. Himself a two-time winner of the esteemed Baja 1000 along with countless other victories within North American borders, Gordon will attempt to be the first American to get the overall win in the race’s history.

Gordon began Team Dakar USA in 2005 in an effort to showcase American ingenuity and technology in one of the world’s most popular sporting events. Although participating in the 2004 Dakar Rally for Volkswagen, last year’s Rally was Gordon’s first attempt as an independent owner. During last year’s Rally, Gordon was forced to make an early exit from competition during the seventh stage due to a punctured radiator which sidelined the team for the remainder of the event.

“We are excited to have Andy come onboard and join our effort in Dakar,” said Gordon. “Dakar is a test of endurance and Andy has proven he’s capable. Obviously as a former motorcycle competitor in Dakar he knows his way through the Rally and knows how grueling an event it can be.

“We’ve been working hard on putting the best possible program together and I feel like this year we have a better opportunity to go over there and win stages and capture the overall title, and Andy will definitely be able to help us out with that goal.”

[Hog Wild]

Andy Grider Joins Team Dakar USAHere's a shot of Andy during roadbook navigation practice at Death Valley Rally two weeks ago. And another potenetial Dakar winner, Chris Blais just behind.

http://www.hogwildracing.com/deathvalleyrally/2006/Grider_Blais_100_0669x800.jpg

[bufeo]

Since it's difficult to 'see' Andy, here's another, along with his daughter at the '05 SCORE BAJA 500.

[DEZERTBOUND]

Updates on Robby's Dakar Chase program are leaking out......

[DEZERTBOUND]

Me and all the Guys at Hagle Lumber wish Robby the best of luck in Dakar....

[RacerX1]

Updates on Robby's Dakar Chase program are leaking out......That is too funny! :p

[DEZERTBOUND]

Another RGM Dakar chase team leak.......his pre-runner!

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Another RGM Dakar chase team leak.......his pre-runner!


That thing has a bad to the bone full floater rear end in it!!!!!

[DEZERTBOUND]

We need to get Glenn to share this year, If he goes again....

[FlyHiFlyLo]

We need to get Glenn to share this year, If he goes again....

Yes....

[DEZERTBOUND]

Maybe this will help Robby thru the camel grass?

[HomelandHorns]

so anything new in the news on the dakar front??

[sirhk100]

My pops passed the HI, Robby's H3 and 2 of the large chase trucks that race in Dakar on the highway between Parker and Desert Center Drive on Monday on his way back to Socal from visiting me for the weekend... He didn't know who it was but it was pretty obvious when he called me and described the rigs and the toyo red and white scemes. LOL

[dave]

He was testing in Parker then headed to Glamis. Yes he had all but 1 other big rig and one H1 and had the whole Dakar team with - 3 others who couldn't make it out.

DB

[OldStroppeTeam]

Talked to them Monday in Parker, it is Team bonding time, a little camping in the desert.. and it POURED here Monday night and Tuesday Morning.....Welcome to the desert !!!

[Bricoop]

http://www.robbygordon.com/cms/publish/article_791.shtml

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Robby Gordon preparing for grueling Dakar RallyBy Associated Press
November 2, 2006
NASCAR driver Robby Gordon (http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/nextel/drivers/39/) led the 19-member Team Dakar USA through one of its final test sessions last week in preparation for the grueling Dakar Rally, which begins Jan. 6 in Lisbon, Portugal.
The three-day test in the desert of the southwestern United States was run between the Nextel Cup races at Martinsville and Atlanta. Gordon drove his purpose-built H3 in the test that included navigator Andy Grider and provided all team members, including those new to the program this year, with a sample of what the Dakar experience could entail.
Running on terrain similar to what the team will encounter in the early stages of the 16-stage event through Portugal, Spain and Morocco, as well as the latter stages in Mauritania, Mali and Senegal, Gordon said he is confident in the team's ability and its chances of capturing the overall title.
if "The mission of this test was to work out the kinks and make our preparations for the rally," said Gordon, a two-time Dakar Rally stage winner, the only American to do so. "We definitely could have been better prepared last year and we definitely didn't want to put ourselves in the same situation this time around. "The test was structured as a mini-rally. We tried to cover as much terrain possible that would simulate the conditions that we may face in January and really put the H3 and the crew in some compromising situations, not unlike those that you can face in Africa on a daily basis. We intentionally put ourselves in some spots that we may face in the race so the guys could become familiar with each other as well as what they will have available to them during the race." The rally covers more than 6,000 miles in a 17-day journey from Lisbon to Dakar.

[woundedyak]

Is the race going to be televised on Speed channle this year. I don't remeber them having it last year.Come to think about it.they didn't have the Isle man on either.....

[bufeo]

Is the race going to be televised on Speed channle this year. I don't remeber them having it last year.Come to think about it.they didn't have the Isle man on either.....

I believe that it is to be televised on Versus (formerly OLN) Ch. 151 on DISH.

Allen R

[woundedyak]

Thanks for the heads up bufeo. I think that I will write speed a letter reminding them that there is still other forms of racing then Nascar.

P.S. I dig your qoute!
"Here's to meeting good people on bad roads"

[Bricoop]

Pics of the new hummerbuggy are up on RGM. The New Streamline Body looks sick. Can't wait til January. If they have prepared well enough and have enough support to get him out of the hairy situations he will encounter in Africa I see big things this year. I don't think a Podium position is out of their reach. Furthormore Avoiding any catostrophic failures, there should be no reason they can't win Dakar.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Yep... did you see the new "Fly Inspired" fast back?

[Bricoop]

Yep... did you see the new "Fly Inspired" fast back?

Seriously Fly? Is it going to make a difference with drag/stability?

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Seriously Fly? Is it going to make a difference with drag/stability?

It does 130MPH now...

[Icewalker]

Is the race going to be televised on Speed channle this year. I don't remeber them having it last year.Come to think about it.they didn't have the Isle man on either.....

It won't make any odds - they won't listen. I ended up cancelling my subscription to (speed) the nascar channel. Nigh on 24 hours a day of roundy round is beyond a joke. It was such a better channel when it actually catered to motorsports.

[TRichards]

I think he has enough tubing under the radiator now. Let's hope he has few issues and can get a podium. If it really does 130MPH now I can't see a faster vehicle entered.

[El Ranas]

Pics of the new hummerbuggy are up on RGM. The New Streamline Body looks sick. Can't wait til January. If they have prepared well enough and have enough support to get him out of the hairy situations he will encounter in Africa I see big things this year. I don't think a Podium position is out of their reach. Furthormore Avoiding any catostrophic failures, there should be no reason they can't win Dakar.

In what page I can see the pictures of the new Gordon Hummer?

[RacingOne]

The pictures are great of him jumping that thing in the dunes, which he won't do very much in the Dakar race.

[RacingOne]

How is the Hog Wild Racing, are you guys racing this year at the Dakar Race?

[Hog Wild]

How is the Hog Wild Racing, are you guys racing this year at the Dakar Race?Sorry, we have to stay home this year. If we can line up a sponsor, we'll be aiming for 2008.

[Bricoop]

In what page I can see the pictures of the new Gordon Hummer?

I believe Rally racing, dakar_2007, 001SoCal testing, but thats just from memory.

[bcampbell04]

what is different about the body? the thing i can see from the pics is the rearend and hatch look different. looks cut down now

[bufeo]

In what page I can see the pictures of the new Gordon Hummer?

Try this one:
[DISREGARD...LOOK AT FOLLOWING POST.]
Allen R.

Ooops, sorry. Thought I just plugged in the link, not the whole address.

[bufeo]

Sorry for that botched link. This one should work:
http://www.robbygordon.com/cgi-bin/Imagefolio31/imageFolio.cgi?direct=03_OFF-ROAD/05_RALLY_RACING/DAKAR_2007

Allen R

[Bricoop]

Fly, did you design the new body?

[El Ranas]

Is that the new hummer? is similar to the old one :confused:

http://www.robbygordon.com/cgi-bin/Imagefolio31/imageFolio.cgi?direct=03_OFF-ROAD/05_RALLY_RACING/DAKAR_2007

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Fly, did you design the new body?

I sent Rob the concept CAD model back in Feb... I can expect that he used the idea and let his guys run with it.

[Bricoop]

Is that the new hummer? is similar to the old one :confused:

http://www.robbygordon.com/cgi-bin/Imagefolio31/imageFolio.cgi?direct=03_OFF-ROAD/05_RALLY_RACING/DAKAR_2007

May appear similar, but if you are to compare pics of the new and old hummer there is a pretty noticable difference. Plus modifications under the hood will make this a completly different beast.

[Bricoop]

Just found this, gives a more in depth look at how the H3 has changed.

http://www.robbygordon.com/cms/publish/article_796.shtml

[baja619]

I sent Rob the concept CAD model back in Feb... I can expect that he used the idea and let his guys run with it.


flY, CAN YOU POST AN IMAGE OF WHAT YOU CONCEPTED.

tHANKS

[FlyHiFlyLo]

flY, CAN YOU POST AN IMAGE OF WHAT YOU CONCEPTED.

tHANKS


Here is what I conraceptedationed, no wing but I think they would have rejected it at the ASO

Noticed he went to a 6 speed too... That is going to make a huge performance increase on the bottom end.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Dakar can't come soon enough, I can't wait for RG to get out there on the World stage and completely distroy the global field... Now that Lance isn't on the tour anymore, Robby is our only hope this year to shown some American asswhoop'n to the world.

This year is the right year to make it happen.

[baja619]

Very nice, When the time comes to release more pics of the H3 before the Dakar can you please let us know where to find them.

[Bricoop]

Very nice, When the time comes to release more pics of the H3 before the Dakar can you please let us know where to find them.

I imagine the next time we will get a great set of pictures of the resigned H3 will be during Scrutineering, unless someone decides to write another big article on his 2007 Dakar effort.

[dave]

What kind of pictures are you looking for of the H3 ? Front , side , rear ?

DB

[partybarge_pilot]

All of thee above.

[dave]

Ones from Glamis when they were testing and the other is from the media day at Dumont. Thats all I have here.

[Bricoop]

Ones from Glamis when they were testing and the other is from the media day at Dumont. Thats all I have here.

thanks for the pics.

[johnnyweb]

im surprised ford is allowing robby to run the hummer body. i guess maybe his contract does'nt start till after.

[Bricoop]

im surprised ford is allowing robby to run the hummer body. i guess maybe his contract does'nt start till after.

Ford only applies to his NASCAR effort, nothing to do with any of his Off-road stuff...for now.

Vid about prerunning.

YouTube - Robby Gordon 2006 Baja 1000 Prerun Interview

Anybody know what he says around 35 seconds in, what'd they break?

[Hog Wild]

He's got some competition!

Video:
YouTube - Bi-Bip 2 :: Dakar 2007 : Essais

[Bricoop]

He's got some competition!

Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbOp9QQwzxI&mode=related&search=

lol, damn there goes our podium spot. WHat's next a pinto in Dakar?

Those tires look like they are going to rip apart trannys. Especially in the sand.

[Bricoop]

looks like some needs new body before dakar.

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23435

[johnnyweb]

Ford only applies to his NASCAR effort, nothing to do with any of his Off-road stuff...for now.

Vid about prerunning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CfECBmymG4

Anybody know what he says around 35 seconds in, what'd they break?

that surprises me!!! i would figure ford would have stipulations in his contract to not compete in any other brand of vehicle.

[Bricoop]

that surprises me!!! i would figure ford would have stipulations in his contract to not compete in any other brand of vehicle.

Not at all, for now at least. Because Hummer and GM are dishing out big bucks in his Baja and Dakar efforts there is no way robby will let that go. In the future I could see Robby running an Explorer through Dakar and an F-150 in Baja, but not in '07.

[NIKAL]

that surprises me!!! i would figure ford would have stipulations in his contract to not compete in any other brand of vehicle.

Here is a piece of the RGM Ford Press release interview:
GOING WITH FORD, YOU DO A LOT OF OFF ROAD RACING AND HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH HUMMER. WAS THAT A FACTOR AT ALL? "We have a relationship for Hummer for 2007. I will currently still race a Chevrolet off road car. We will see how things change in the future, but today those programs are already kind of in place and you're probably going to ask, 'How can you have those cars in place and drive a Ford,' probably no different than how Roger Penske drives a Honda in Indianapolis or a Porsche in the American Le Mans Series. We are growing Robby Gordon Motorsports and Ford is I guess excited to be with us and we're excited to have them as a partner with our business."

To see the whole interview go to: http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/06PR/101506PR4.asp

[RacingOne]

He's got some competition!

Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbOp9QQwzxI&mode=related&search=

Robby will have his hands full with this car, man did you see how fast it got around those tight turns with out spinning the wheels, the vehicle is going to fast it is because it is only 4 feet wide.

[dave]

His site is updated with some pic's of the Dakar Semi's in there new color.........??

DB

[Bricoop]

His site is updated with some pic's of the Dakar Semi's in there new color.........??

DB

Is that why RG couldn't make it to Glamis, too busy prepping these bad biys?

[Knuckle Head]

His site is updated with some pic's of the Dakar Semi's in there new color.........??

DB

Jim Beam desided not to be the sponsor this year in Dakar. :(

[Chase 2]

Yeah, I guess someone figgured that the international beef jerky market isn't big enough to warrent the expence.

[NIKAL]

I thought Jim Beam was still sponsoring RG's Dakar effort? All of the pictures of the Hummer at the Toyo Tire International media press show out at the Dumont Dunes they were wearing shirts that said Jim Beam / Toyo Tires on them and the truck is still or was in the photo's painted in the Jim Beam colors. You would think RGM would have made a press release if there was a new main sponsor.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

From what I gathered last year Jim Beam got a free ride in Dakar 2006.

No Free rides this year... I'm sure RG must have a truley "Global" sponsor for this year's Dakar. The Hummer deal was for two years.

BTW: It sure would be cool to see RGM have the number 111 Monster Energy Drink car in Cup.

[Bricoop]

From what I gathered last year Jim Beam got a free ride in Dakar 2006.

No Free rides this year... I'm sure RG must have a truley "Global" sponsor for this year's Dakar. The Hummer deal was for two years.

BTW: It sure would be cool to see RGM have the number 111 Monster Energy Drink car in Cup.

Fly, Rob's pretty superstitious and he has the number 7 because of Alan Kulwiki. I'm sure though if the money is there Robby would be willing to overlook the fact that the number 7 is the last owner/drive to win a cup Championship.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

The number 111 would look really cool. It would actually look like the slashed "M". it would be a great fit for RG's Cup vibe... Black car with intimidating looks.

[Bricoop]

Check Out the Team Hummer USA Dakar Premier on youtube:

YouTube - Robby Gordon Dakar Preview

[freddy]

Great video!

It's just one month until the race starts. For some reason they have changed the starting date from New Year's Eve to the 6th of January, ruining my plans to go there and cheer on Robby. What's up with that?

I sure hope Robby does better this year and shows the world how to really race in the desert.

[napaman]

That Is A Nice Vid. Can't Wait Til The Race Starts. Good Luck Robby Kick Some Booty!

[Yumaoffroad]

Kamaz 4x4 Rally truck Dakar www.hardtrucks.lap.pl

RG new support truck team

[Chase 2]

New RG video on Youtube. Stop it at this little flash of an image at 27 seconds plus into it to get a good look at the new Monster scheme.

YouTube - Stay Tuned!

[bufeo]

.... Stop it at this little flash of an image at 27 seconds plus into it to get a good look at the new Monster scheme.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsE5JqTfcf4

It took me a couple of tries to catch that 'glimpse', but I managed. :)

Thanks for posting it.

Allen R

[chewy]

Does any one know the full specs?

[E&S Racing]

If you're looking for the specs on the Hummer go to Robby's web site. Everything you need is there.

[Yumaoffroad]

I tought earlier this rear RG was going to dakar with two H3s ?

[Bricoop]

I tought earlier this rear RG was going to dakar with two H3s ?

they were considering it but decided to scratch that idea. They do have more support trucks this year than last.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

You Tube Video Update from Lisbon... Very cool! It works!

http://www.youtube.com/rgm7

Make sure you subscribe!

[Hemp]

video has been removed by the user?????

anything really cool/new about it

[Bricoop]

video has been removed by the user?????

anything really cool/new about it

????

Still works for me. Basically a short video(1:39) of how they got to Dakar.

[Hemp]

ya it works for me now...guess it was off for a little while

[spalind]

Damn...can't watch it from work...stupid, stupid filters...

[FlyHiFlyLo]

I got the first pic of his helmet for you guys to see.

I got a bunch of other pics I will post on the blog later.

[spalind]

I got the first pic of his helmet for you guys to see.

I got a bunch of other pics I will post on the blog later.

Excellent!! But where are all the updates?!?!? Last year I remember commentary on Robby's site regarding the scrutineering process and goings on and such...and this year....nothing so far...its killing me...

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Excellent!! But where are all the updates?!?!? Last year I remember commentary on Robby's site regarding the scrutineering process and goings on and such...and this year....nothing so far...its killing me...


Better.. RGM will have video updates everyday...

[swiftracing5]

I got the first pic of his helmet for you guys to see.

I got a bunch of other pics I will post on the blog later.

Its cool but I liked the blue and silver squares more.:(

[RacerX1]

I got the first pic of his helmet for you guys to see.
I've got the first pic of the chase crew... :D

[bufeo]

I got the first pic of his helmet for you guys to see.

....

That's nice, but where's Grider's? :D

...regarding the scrutineering... .

I believe scrutineering begins today. Maybe updates tomorrow.
Allen R

[bufeo]

I've got the first pic of the chase crew... :D


Patty, that's a riot. Even I could've made that team!

Allen R

[desertbull]

I've got the first pic of the chase crew... :D

Ah---but here's the real team in full Monster swag perusing Lisbon!

[DEZERTBOUND]

Robby went with low budget on the air freight.....j/k but I am getting pumped up for this year.....hope it goes as planned.

[bufeo]

Ah---but here's the real team in full Monster swag perusing Lisbon!

They're not 'perusing'. They're trying to find the correct consulates in order to get their visas approved. :D

Allen R

[RacingOne]

Robby has a new Video up on his Web site, then go to the youTube site, updated by Bobby Chuck.

[Rufrider]

what is the tv coverage this year?

[RacerX1]

Patty, that's a riot. Even I could've made that team!

Allen RHee Hee Allen! I think it's Neil ~ :D

[sandracer33]

Hee Hee Allen! I think it's Neil ~ :D

Patty, Can`t be Neil.........hair is too dark. Must be one of us "overpaid" volunteers.

Lee

[Hemp]

what is the tv coverage this year?

it was mentioned in another thread but it will be on the versus (vs.) channel formerly known as OLN

i think the coverage starts teh 7th if im not mistaken

[Hemp]

"KILL the RABBIT" haha

[Bricoop]

Arrival Portugal!!!





Lisboa, Portugal - With the start of the 28th running of the Dakar Rally pending, the entire crew for the team USA Hummer/Monster Energy/Toyo Tire arrived in Lisbon, Portugal. Final preparations are underway and once again the team has been unified in Europe.


The initial group of crew members arrived in Brussels, Belgium on December 27, 2006. Their primary objective was to meet with customs officials to pick up the support vehicles that were shipped from Savannah, Georgia back in November and then to drive them to Portugal. Once these three support vehicles were released from customs, the crew began their trek to Portugal. Driving through France and then into Spain, they met up with Robby and two other crew members who had flown in to Madrid, Spain to join the caravan and to celebrate the New Year.

A night of celebration was followed by a morning of anticipation as the team drove the support vehicles for the final leg of the trip into Lisbon, Portugal arriving just after 5:00pm on New Years Day. Once in Lisbon the details of the following days were finalized and a strategy put into motion to make the most of the days ahead.


The remainder of the team flew from the US to Portugal and arrived January 2, 2007 at 9:30 in the morning. The hotel became a command point for everyone to organize their personal bags and to properly organize the equipment and supplies that would be crucial to the success of the team through out the Dakar rally.


To most this organization process may not sound like such an enormous task. But consider some of the numbers. The team was provided with most of the clothing and camping gear necessary for the rally. A team of twenty one members that will be camping for 16 days and 15 nights would need a minimum of 336 pair of socks, 42 pairs of shoes, 210 sweatshirts, 336 t-shirts, 21 jackets, 63 hats and 336 pair of pants. Additional camping gear consisted of 21 tents, 21 sleeping bags, 21 air pillows, 21 air mattresses, 21 Thermal blankets, 63 Ogio gear bags, and 21 Ogio backpacks. And that’s just the basics for the crew members!

[Bricoop]

haha just found this pic. Robby's throwin up the shocker. If you don't know what this means two in the...nevermind you'll figure it out.

http://i13.tinypic.com/44aohld.jpg

[spalind]

haha just found this pic. Robby's throwin up the shocker. If you don't know what this means two in the...nevermind you'll figure it out.

http://i13.tinypic.com/44aohld.jpg

Hmmm...maybe his support crew wears "shocker" gloves???:)

[Chase 2]

Two in the pink and one in the stink. He need to flatten the bill on that hat if he's gonna be a bro.

[Bricoop]

Two in the pink and one in the stink. He need to flatten the bill on that hat if he's gonna be a bro.

I hate Bros. Spent all day at Mt. High with them yesterday. Definitly got my fill for the decade.

[Chase 2]

Brah, you need to go to Flatbiller.com. where you will find the following in the archives:

Famous Flatbiller: Robby Gordon
Thursday, April 27, 2006
OK, so he's not technically a flatbiller, but he is definitely a Flatbiller Hero.

Robby Gordon earned this title by taking his 1/2 million dollar race truck out to the Glamis Sand Dunes on every major holiday weekend and jumping it over this one particular double at Oldsmobile Hill.

The flatbillers at Glamis go nuts when Robby does this. They will pound beers and watch him jump for most of the day. If they get drunk enough, they will stand underneath the jump while the crowd cheers. Then the flatbillers go home and buy one of the dozens of Robby Gordon DVD's that show the exact same footage -- over and over and over.

Move over Robby fans you all have something in common with Flatbillers!

[Bricoop]

Brah, you need to go to Flatbiller.com. where you will find the following in the archives:

Famous Flatbiller: Robby Gordon
Thursday, April 27, 2006
OK, so he's not technically a flatbiller, but he is definitely a Flatbiller Hero.

Robby Gordon earned this title by taking his 1/2 million dollar race truck out to the Glamis Sand Dunes on every major holiday weekend and jumping it over this one particular double at Oldsmobile Hill.

The flatbillers at Glamis go nuts when Robby does this. They will pound beers and watch him jump for most of the day. If they get drunk enough, they will stand underneath the jump while the crowd cheers. Then the flatbillers go home and buy one of the dozens of Robby Gordon DVD's that show the exact same footage -- over and over and over.

Move over Robby fans you all have something in common with Flatbillers!

Yeah I've seen it. Talking about them just pisses me off. Robby isn't a flatbiller, just smart enough to make bank off these high school dropouts.

[baja619]

I iron my bills to make them flat as can be. I then get my digital level out to confirm the degree of flatness.

Ohh, and I have a graduate degree !

[Chase 2]

I've seen some that are so flat, they curve up! Jesse James is another classic Flatbiller! DGAF or DILLIGAF.

[down4glamis]

"if we gotta run wide open, we'll run wide open right along with em!"


I CANT WAIT FOR THE RACE TO START! I hope robby goes and kicks some butt. His goals are simple.... err.... his GOAL is simple... Take one home for the USA!

[Bricoop]

Racer Robby Gordon and Micron Technology to Digitally Capture Video of Legendary Dakar Rally





Micron Equips Gordon Dakar Vehicle with Image Sensors and Flash Memory

To Capture Race, Video To Be Shown on Robby Gordon Motorsports and Micron Websites





HUNTERSVILLE, N.C., and BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 4, 2007 – Robby Gordon, one of the racing world’s most versatile drivers, is teaming with Micron Technology to digitally capture video of Gordon in action at the 29th Dakar Rally that begins Jan. 6 in Lisbon, Portugal, and ends 15 stages and 7,915 kilometers later in Dakar, Senegal.

Video of the legendary competition will be captured using innovative Micron image sensors and NAND flash memory technology specially outfitted on Gordon’s Monster Energy, Toyo Tires-HUMMER H3 Dakar racer. Video from the in-car cameras, which are programmed to record at set intervals or can be activated by Gordon at the push of a button while driving, will be available at http://www.micron.com/dakar with regular race updates on the Robby Gordon Motorsports website at http://www.robbygordon.com.

Gordon first met Micron officials and learned of the company’s technology when both he and Micron competed and won their respective race classes — Gordon in the Trophy-Truck division and Micron in the Wide Open Baja Challenge division — at the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 race in Mexico in November. Micron equipped four vehicles operated by its executives with Micron’s imaging and flash memory products to capture video of the grueling off-road contest and test the durability of those products.

“We want to bring our fans closer to the real Dakar experience, and working with Micron to capture video of this legendary rally is a great fit,” said Gordon, who is competing in his third Dakar Rally as the driver of Team Dakar USA. “By using Micron’s technology and broadcasting video updates of the race, the world gets a chance to see firsthand how intense this race is and we’re looking forward to every minute of it.”

The Micron/Robby Gordon Motorsports new media project hopes to complement the already impressive media offerings from the rally organizers. The Versus channel will provide more than 29 hours of Dakar Rally coverage throughout the month of January. In addition, rally fans can follow their favorite drivers via Iritrack – a GPS tracking solution available on Dakar.com once the rally begins.

For Micron, the Dakar Rally offers another harsh environment to test the durability of its DigitalClarity™ image sensors and Lexar Professional CompactFlash™ memory cards. Additionally, Micron welcomes the opportunity to help deliver regular updates to Robby Gordon Motorsports fans using its innovative technology platform.

“At Micron, we’re a company that captures, moves and stores digital data,” said Steve Appleton, Micron Chairman, CEO and President. “Collaborating with Robby and his team provides us with a unique forum to showcase our products and our culture of innovation.”

With its superior image quality, Micron is the leading supplier of CMOS image sensors in the technology industry today. The company’s imaging technology can be found in a variety of applications from mobile phones and PC cameras to security and healthcare products. Micron also provides best-in-class image sensors to the automotive industry, with its image chips designed into backup cameras and parking, lane departure warning and several other safety navigation systems in various makes and models of automobiles worldwide. Micron image sensor technology being used to capture images in Gordon’s H3 at Dakar can be found in the rear-vision system offered in the 2007 HUMMER H2.

Additionally, the three NAND flash memory video recorders installed in Gordon’s vehicle contain an 8 gigabyte Lexar Professional CompactFlash memory card. Trusted by professional photographers, the memory cards provide a high-speed, high-capacity removable storage solution that facilitates the ultimate performance in digital still and video recording equipment.

Gordon is the first and only American to win a stage in the Dakar Rally. He shocked the racing world in 2005 by winning his first-ever stage of the famed rally, and he also won the third stage. Last month, he teamed with rookie Andy McMillin to win the SCORE Baja 1000, after also winning the race in 1987 and 1989. He has 11 top-five finishes in 18 Baja 1000 starts, is a three-time winner of the Baja 500 and has three SCORE International Series Championships to his credit. Additionally, he is a four-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race winner and has also won in the NASCAR Busch Series, Indy cars, IMSA sports cars and virtually every other type of racecar in which he has competed.

Gordon’s HUMMER H3 Dakar racer consists of an H3-shaped body paired with a specially developed chassis featuring a suspension designed by Gordon and his Off-Road team. The Gordon H3 will be a tube-chassis vehicle similar to Trophy Trucks racing in the famed SCORE Baja 1000, except that it will have a fully enclosed air-conditioned cockpit, including windshield and side windows. It will be powered by a production-based General Motors V8 engine.

Micron Technology, Inc., is one of the world's leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions. Through its worldwide operations, Micron manufactures and markets DRAMs, NAND flash memory, CMOS image sensors, other semiconductor components, and memory modules for use in leading-edge computing, consumer, networking, and mobile products. Micron's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the MU symbol. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc., visit www.micron.com.

[KELLENC]

Don't forget to check out Will Higman's website also for his blog and updated photos. from the race check it out at www.willhigman.com

[RacingOne]

Robby Gordon got the new Video up on his YouTube site, this time it is called ""Speed Vision".

I think they need to call it "Night Vision", Robby is ready and in a good mood, check it out, night vision going really fast on the freeway at night.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Gordon hits Dakar with improved ridePosted 1/4/2007 10:06 PM ET[/URL]



swapContent('firstHeader','applyHeader');By A.J. Perez, USA TODAY
Robby Gordon put gearing up for the Dakar Rally in perspective for NASCAR fans.
"It would be like preparing for 15 Martinsville races in a row," says Gordon, a regular in NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series.
But unlike at the half-mile oval in Virginia, Gordon won't have the luxury of a spotter and pit crew when the 4,918-mile off-road endurance race begins in Lisbon, Portugal, on Saturday. All Gordon will have is a navigator, Andy Grider, some tools and a specially designed Hummer H3 as he attempts to navigate 15 stages that wind through six countries and two continents of tough terrain.
DAKAR RALLY VIDEO: [U]Robby Gordon keeps you up on the action (http://asp.usatoday.com/marketing/rss/rsstrans.aspx?ssts=sports%7Cmotor)
Gordon, the first American to win a stage at Dakar, is making his third appearance in the race in as many years and second with his own car that runs under the "Dakar Team USA" banner. Last year, his entry got knocked out in the seventh stage when Gordon struck a mound of "camel grass" — a deep-rooted grass filled with sand — that punctured the radiator. His redesigned Hummer uses two radiators along with a more powerful engine.
"The key is being reliable and consistent," says Gordon, who, along with Mark Miller, has one of the best shots to give the USA its first Dakar win. "The car is also a lot faster than it was a year ago."
Miller, a native of Phoenix, will be running his fourth Dakar Rally. He led last year's race through six stages before an accident dealt a blow to his title hopes.
Gordon and Miller will compete with more than 180 other entries in the car class, a cast that includes fellow Americans Ronn Bailey and Michael Petersen. But Miller, who finished fifth last year, is the only one backed by one of the three big-spending manufacturers.
"Robby is a cowboy," says Miller, who is driving a Volkswagen. "He's racing against factory-backed teams who have budgets of $100 million compared to his, which is probably around 1 to 2 million."
The race has had much more controversy lately than since the first running in 1979. Several spectators have been killed, including two last year, and some of the African nations the race runs through have complained they don't see much of a financial impact.
"We're racing in places where some of the people have never seen a motorized vehicle before," Miller says. "The organizers who put on the race — which are the same as the Tour de France — make an effort to help those nations economically. Of course, when somebody is killed in an accident, it's tragic. But it is just that — an accident. Dakar offers far bigger positives than negatives."
This year's course was altered when Mali's government advised against racing through its country because of concern over security last month.
Gordon, who turned 38 on Tuesday, is no stranger to off-roading hazards — including being shot at during a Baja 1000, according to his father, Bob Gordon.
This year's Baja 1000, however, went smoothly, and he won his third overall four-wheel title in November. That took 191/2 hours, with co-driver Andy McMillan sharing the duties.
This race doesn't end until Jan. 21 in Dakar, Senegal, with only one day of rest in the middle.
"You don't race Baja like you would Dakar. Dakar is an endurance race," Gordon told USA TODAY last year. "It's a survival, and you have to be there at the finish to win."

Robby may only have a million dollar budget but nobody else has cool video updates!

[HomelandHorns]

any news on scrutineering yet???

[Bricoop]

From Dakar.COM:

16:19

Back in Black
A year after causing a sensation by arriving in the scrutineering zone behind the wheel of his Hummer, Robbie Gordon is back in Lisbon with a new machine that is just as impressive… All in black, the latest version of the American vehicle needs to wipe away memories of the previous model whose African adventure was halted after seven stages. "Last year we thought, in vain, that we could play one of the leading roles. As soon as the Dakar finished, we started working toward the next one by clearly identifying our weaknesses", admits the American driver. "We have done thirty days of wind tunnel work and almost 10,000 miles of tests. The engine is better. We have gained more speed, around 20 mph. Our Hummer is ready to eat camel dust". Certainly more cautious than last time, Gordon refrains from speaking of victory or the podium. "Our team only has one shot, unlike the big official teams who have four or five of them. We are aiming to keep pace with our rivals".

[xtremedad]

I can't wait for this beast to start!!! It's gonna be exciting :eek:

After reading and viewing it appears that the team is relaxed yet focussed. It might be due to the preparation and the hands that are involved.

One question though: Where's Andy Grider?? I haven't seen any shots of him. Could he be in some laboratory consuming all the information necessary to provide RG with the best input possible :D

Rock on team Monster Energy!!!!!!

[bufeo]

I can't wait for this beast to start!!! It's gonna be exciting :eek: ...One question though: Where's Andy Grider?? I haven't seen any shots of him. Could he be in some laboratory consuming all the information necessary to provide RG with the best input possible :D

Rock on team Monster Energy!!!!!!

Here (http://www.robbygordon.com/cgi-bin/Imagefolio31/imageFolio.cgi?direct=03_OFF-ROAD/05_RALLY_RACING/DAKAR_2007/004_Logistics_to_Dakar&img=16) he is. Doin' important stuff like unloading and packing....:D

Allen R

[xtremedad]

Here (http://www.robbygordon.com/cgi-bin/Imagefolio31/imageFolio.cgi?direct=03_OFF-ROAD/05_RALLY_RACING/DAKAR_2007/004_Logistics_to_Dakar&img=16) he is. Doin' important stuff like unloading and packing....:D

Allen R

I remember seeing the one of him dropping some trash, but didn't recognize at first. Had to laugh with RG toting a Home Depot box.....:D

[bufeo]

I remember seeing the one of him dropping some trash, but didn't recognize at first. Had to laugh with RG toting a Home Depot box.....:D

Do you suppose that RG is sending some kind of msg to Tony Stewart? :D :D

Allen R

[FlyHiFlyLo]

There is a "Volkswagen Dakar 2007 video-podcast" here (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=210201758), they have a 12/21 video-update.

If you do a search in iTunes Store on "Dakar", it brings up the above Volkswagen video-podcast & the "Robby Gordon Motorsports" video-podcast (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=157673990). There are transcoded videos of the "RGM7" Youtube videos there, which can be downloaded to a video-iPod & carried around/shown. You can see the transcoded videos over the web at the "Robby Gordon Motorsports" video-blog here (http://robby-gordon.blogspot.com/)

Bob, put your toy away.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Nothing like a full assult on the hotel, and just taking it over. Damn Rude Americans!

[Bricoop]

Team Dakar USA Clears First Hurdle: Scrutineering



Robby Gordon’s Team Dakar USA arrived at the Belém Cultural Centre in Lisbon for scrutineering in an impressive all black convey that consisted of six off-road vehicles that include the H3 race Hummer, a T4 4x4 race entry to support the H3, a 4x4 support truck, a 6x6 support truck, and two assistance Hummer H1’s.


After almost a year of preparation for the most challenging off-road race in the world, the Monster Hummer team was given the green light to race in the 2007 Dakar Rally. The day of scrutineering included almost five hours of activities that included GPS training, document processing, photos, Iritrack installation and finally technical inspection.


Gordon’s Toyo Hummer which caused a sensation last year was equally well received. The all black race truck was the last vehicle to complete the technical inspection process but the crowd was still thick with anticipation to see what has quickly become a fan favorite. Billboards throughout the Lisbon area feature the H3 Hummer – including a 40ft high billboard cascading the side of the Cultural Centre.


“It’s very exciting to be here,” said Gordon, “The reception for the Hummer has been unbelievable. Our guys have worked so hard to get everything ready and I feel we are very well prepared. After last year we identified our weaknesses and went to work. The Hummer has been in the wind tunnel and we have put almost 10,000 miles of testing on it. We have one shot and we are hoping to make it count.”


The first of 15 stages in the Dakar Rally begin tomorrow in Lisbon and travels to Portimão. The rally can be seen in the United States on the Versus Network. In addition Team Dakar USA has combined forces with Micron to provide daily video updates that can be seen on RobbyGordon.com.

[spalind]

Any photos of that giant billboard?? Now THAT would be cool....

[Hemp]

so does the race actually start tonight (with the time difference it should be the morning over there, correct?) what is the time difference like 8 hours?

[spalind]

so does the race actually start tonight (with the time difference it should be the morning over there, correct?) what is the time difference like 8 hours?

Yes...I am wondering that as well...I can't find anywhere that has estimated start times for the racers....

[Hog Wild]

so does the race actually start tonight (with the time difference it should be the morning over there, correct?) what is the time difference like 8 hours?Quads are first off the line, two at a time, at like 5:30am or 6:00am Lisbon time. That's around 9:30 Pacific time. Bikes follow quads, 2 at a time. After over 200 bikes, the cars follow, probably after midnight Pacific time. But they begin with a long liaison. So timed racing won't begin until about two hours after their start time.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Quads are first off the line, two at a time, at like 5:30am or 6:00am Lisbon time. That's around 9:30 Pacific time. Bikes follow quads, 2 at a time. After over 200 bikes, the cars follow, probably after midnight Pacific time. But they begin with a long liaison. So timed racing won't begin until about two hours after their start time.


That's awesome! Been waiting a year!

[bufeo]

so does the race actually start tonight (with the time difference it should be the morning over there, correct?) what is the time difference like 8 hours?

Here's a link (http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=74) that I use for world time/travel. I'll have this in the top corner of one of the three computers I'll have grinding away. :)

Allen R

PS It's currently about 0300 h in Lisboa.

[Hemp]

hey fly, i thought u had some more photos u were gonna post on ur blog....lets see them

[klaus]

In case you all wonder who shafted Robby Gordon out of his old Jim Beam sponsorship deal go check out the new Jim Beam Dakar team:

http://www.dakarturk.com

http://www.dakarturk.com/img/fotograflar/dakar050107/d013.jpg

[RacingOne]

Hey Klaus, I saw that a couple of days ago, it is a Turkey rider.

[Hog Wild]

...it is a Turkey rider.It's a pair of Turk's. But the support was only for entry fee, which was probably 100 times less that what they sent to Robby last year. And they're getting a bit of press out of it from what I've seen.

[Bricoop]

Looks like Robby has to add one more support vehicle to the Monster team....A Tractor

From: The Associated Press


Gordon 13th after first day of Dakar Rally




PORTIMAO, Portugal (AP) -Robby Gordon is the only NASCAR driver competing in the Dakar Rally, an off-road road race from Portugal to Dakar that covers 4,918 miles. In 2005, he became the first American to win a stage of the grueling event.

This year's edition, the 29th, has a record number of competitors, with 525 teams and 42 nationalities represented, including 250 motorcycles, 187 cars and 88 trucks.

---

STAGE 1: Gordon had a successful first day, completing the 288 miles in 13th place.

``Off-road racing is a lot different than NASCAR and other racing in the U.S. because we have luck to deal with,'' Gordon told The Associated Press. ``It's all luck of the draw when it comes to starting, and we drew the 20th starting spot. We could have been somewhere around 80th or 90th, so we were lucky.''

Driving his all-black H3 Hummer from Lisbon to Portimao, Gordon finished eight minutes behind Dakar leader Carlos Sousa.

``He's from Portugal, so he knows these roads very well,'' Gordon said. ``We expected him to do well.''

---

GRINDING TIRES: Gordon hit one obstacle when his H3 became stuck in the mud. Because spectators had clogged the route, Gordon was one of many drivers to slow down in an attempt to navigate the crowd.

His caution came at a price when he found his car couldn't escape the mud.

``I had to get towed out by a tractor,'' Gordon said. ``But a lot of guys had trouble and they must have known there was going to be mud there because the tractors were prepared. I just jumped back in the car and took off after that.''

The mud did cause slight damage to the H3: Gordon has to change the clutch on it after the conclusion of Stage 2.

---

LOOKAHEAD: Sunday's second stage will take the racers from Portimao to Malaga, Spain - 339 miles.

Team Dakar USA will start 13th for Stage 2, when the race resumes Sunday. After arriving in Spain, the teams will take a ferry overnight to Nador, Morocco, to prepare for Stage 3.

The race continues south to Mauritania, Mali and the Senegal capital of Dakar, where the competitors are to finish Jan. 20. The following day, the remaining racers will take part in the first Grand Prix du Lac Rose, an exhibition race.

[Bricoop]

http://i12.tinypic.com/2hhfwqp.jpg
Stage 1

[hlgsms]

Looks like Robby has to add one more support vehicle to the Monster team....A Tractor


See this video ... (http://www.eurosport.de/rallyraid/mc_vid31997.shtml)

[Bricoop]

See this video ... (http://www.eurosport.de/rallyraid/mc_vid31997.shtml)

that mud looks horrible! And those crowds!!! Much worse than Baja, like Mark Miller said. Thanks for the link!

[Bricoop]

didn't know the H-1 wasn't prepped by RG Off-Road.

from dirtnewz.com

Gordon's second vehicle, the MAN Truck piloted by multi-winning SCORE Baja 1000 Champion, Tom Geviss, fell to 55 minutes behind the leader of the workhorse class of the Dakar Rally field. The MAN Race Truck was taken into possession by Team Dakar USA only days prior to the race and the team poured over the truck in preparation of the 6,000 kilometer race. DIRTnewz is awaiting an update from Robby Gordon Motorsports regarding the issues surrounding the MAN Race Truck #556.

[desertbull]

didn't know the H-1 wasn't prepped by RG Off-Road.

from dirtnewz.com

Gordon's second vehicle, the MAN Truck piloted by multi-winning SCORE Baja 1000 Champion, Tom Geviss, fell to 55 minutes behind the leader of the workhorse class of the Dakar Rally field. The MAN Race Truck was taken into possession by Team Dakar USA only days prior to the race and the team poured over the truck in preparation of the 6,000 kilometer race. DIRTnewz is awaiting an update from Robby Gordon Motorsports regarding the issues surrounding the MAN Race Truck #55

Brian--Go take a nap and get ready for tonight. Let's see here--The HUMMER race truck and the MAN Race Truck are two different trucks entered to race by Team DAKAR USA---Of course the HUMMER was prepped by RGM, but they didn't pick up the MAN Race Truck until they arrived to Europe. It's the #556 truck cuz it looks like you cut off the 6 in your cut and paste.

The party starts here at 1:30 AM---

[Bricoop]

Brian--Go take a nap and get ready for tonight. Let's see here--The HUMMER race truck and the MAN Race Truck are two different trucks entered to race by Team DAKAR USA---Of course the HUMMER was prepped by RGM, but they didn't pick up the MAN Race Truck until they arrived to Europe. It's the #556 truck cuz it looks like you cut off the 6 in your cut and paste.

The party starts here at 1:30 AM---

Desert Bull. I completly understand that they are two different trucks. If RG wanted to have two trucks in the race (The Hummer and the MAN) it would make since that he would Prep both of them ahead of time. The MAN is being entered as a race truck, but it's true purpose is for Supporting the Hummer when, not if, it has troubles. This race seems that its about having the best support. Everyone has problems out there, but its who can rectify them most quickly that will succeed. Has anybody heard what troubles the MAN truck encountered? Anyways I'll take your subtle hint and cool my "posting jets." Just excited, been waiting 11 months for redemption.

[desertbull]

Desert Bull. I completly understand that they are two different trucks. If RG wanted to have two trucks in the race (The Hummer and the MAN) it would make since that he would Prep both of them ahead of time. The MAN is being entered as a race truck, but it's true purpose is for Supporting the Hummer when, not if, it has troubles. This race seems that its about having the best support. Everyone has problems out there, but its who can rectify them most quickly that will succeed. Has anybody heard what troubles the MAN truck encountered? Anyways I'll take your subtle hint and cool my "posting jets." Just excited, been waiting 11 months for redemption.

LOL-All good dude..I love the enthusiam. I wasn't sure you were aware they were differente...No subtle hints here bro--post away--I love it! I agree about the 11 months--but that vid in the mud didn't look good!

No update from Tom driving the 556...will post as soon as I know but after I send it to Fly-Klaus-Ryan first--then we'll vote and decide what time to post...LOL

And here's a little something to cool your "posting jets" as you mentioned--an ex-tire manufacturer model who I HAD to do a photo shoot with...

[Bricoop]

The much anticipated first race video from team Dakar USA

YouTube - Stage 1 Bonus

[Bricoop]

they took it down??? seems to be having issues.

here's the error youtube gave me:

The url contained a malformed video id.

[blazin72]

The video worked for me.

[Hemp]

me too........course didnt look to tight and technical like robby said, that actually looked a lot like where i would expect him to be able to haul butt on

[bufeo]

Worked FINE for me!...and those of you who know my connection w/the TEAM know how stoked I'd be. WooooHoooo! Obviously that was a small portion of the 117km Special, so hard to tell if the whole Special was "technical" or not. Nice footage. Can't wait for more!

Wonder what (or whom:D ) Grider was looking at when something caught his eye.

Allen R

[Bricoop]

switched comps and works fine for me too

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Just seen it. Damn! Andy is going to be jacked up in two days if he doesn't tighten his belts up.

Awesome footage!

[desertbull]

Worked FINE for me!...and those of you who know my connection w/the TEAM know how stoked I'd be. WooooHoooo! Obviously that was a small portion of the 117km Special, so hard to tell if the whole Special was "technical" or not. Nice footage. Can't wait for more!

Wonder what (or whom:D ) Grider was looking at when something caught his eye.

Allen R

LOL-I saw that this afternoon and thought - Dang someone I know will have a big smile for days and days and days after that first MICRON video! That was epic and just the beginning. It's been a very long road trip for the past 30 years with that grandkid-but DAMN, you gotta be pretty damn PROUD!

Congrats...hope the boys kick some azz.

[E&S Racing]

YEah great footage. Can't wait for more..

[Bricoop]

another video posted. shows more about how they got stuck, and unstuck.

Edit...Too clarify: there have been two Stage 1 Videos posted :)

[Big Hock]

I'm most impressed at the integrity of Andy's neck! Christ he was bouncing around violently!

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Had to take the wife out on a date tonight. Trade off for staying up all night for the next few days. F'n Beotch!

Anyways got this from the field this afternoon.

"lost some time with the clutch. crew getting ready to replace - rg not here yet but we are preparing. i have a very slow wireless card - so I can't update - post the word on desert. gas on mf. saw the h1 at one of the road crossings - hauling *** off the corners. these are not our stages. we will be just fine. "

[Will_Higman]

didn't know the H-1 wasn't prepped by RG Off-Road.

from dirtnewz.com

Gordon's second vehicle, the MAN Truck piloted by multi-winning SCORE Baja 1000 Champion, Tom Geviss, fell to 55 minutes behind the leader of the workhorse class of the Dakar Rally field. The MAN Race Truck was taken into possession by Team Dakar USA only days prior to the race and the team poured over the truck in preparation of the 6,000 kilometer race. DIRTnewz is awaiting an update from Robby Gordon Motorsports regarding the issues surrounding the MAN Race Truck #556.

We had no problems on stage 1. We were just cruising keeping the big picture in mind!

We are in the truck right now on Liaison down to Malaga so I have a second to post.

There was no truck race today because of tight logistics for the ferry crossing. We will start stage 3 based on the stage 1 results.

[tigengineer]

any word on what happen to robby on stage 2, why down on time?...thanks

[Bricoop]

any word on what happen to robby on stage 2, why down on time?...thanks

No reports out yet. Im just guessing another technical stage. The next two days will showcase what the Hummer can do. It was designed for the dunes.

[srmumz]

Here is what happened to Mr. Gordon......Fly I can't believe you missed this!

An emotional second day for Sperrer
Dakar Rally : Team Gauloises - Leg 2



Photo Raid-Live.com
Raphaël Sperrer.
After the second 545km stage from Portimao (Portugal) to Malaga (Spain), (a 67km special and two connections of respectively 15km and 463km), Team Gauloises Raphael Sperrer has kept up the advantage after an excellent result on the first day of the rally and finished day two in 16th position. The only Austrian driver ub the 2007 Dakar rally, Raphaël Sperrer and French co-driver Sylvain Poncet were again proud of their high-ranking finish on day two.

Pending official confirmation, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) won the second special scratch time stage, 29" ahead of his countryman Nani Roma (Mitsu) and Frenchman Luc Alphand (Mitsu), both scoring the same time. Victorious in the first special stage yesterday, Portuguese driver Carlos Sousa (VW) was 9th today but remained the overall leader, 45" ahead of Sainz.

After dancing his Buggy through the dangerous and windy mountain roads, Raphael commented : « I'm pleased with the result, but it was not an easy day. The entire special stage was really dangerous. First we had an unpleasant surprise suddenly splashing through a large water run on the narrow mountain track and then later we got a fright when our Buggy ran straight into the bushes. I've never had that happen before, but through the deep, dirty water I just couldn't see anything, and there was a sharp 90-degree turn right after the water. Fortunately I was able to continue and set about building up a rhythm again. The next stage was really narrow and constantly changing directions with sharp left turns followed by sharp right turns and vice versa. »

« I want to thank Sylvain for his concentration because it was not easy for the navigator to constantly focus during the stage, » he added. « We even took time five kilometres from the end of the 67km stage to rescue US super star Robby Gordon and his Hummer as we helped them out of a difficult position. Suddenly there was a big cloud of dust in front of us and we lost almost five minutes trying to get Robby's Hummer out of the ditch where he had landed. There was not much our light Buggy could do to rescue this really heavy monster car. Nevertheless, we tried and thanks to the great preparation by SMG, our the 6-litre V8 Buggy performed really well all day. »

« Today was only another taster of what is still to come, » he went on. « Tonight we are in Malaga ready to cross the sea on the ASO boat and I can't wait to be in the desert tomorrow entering the African continent through Morocco and to complete the 600km stage. We will start from Nador and that's where we will have to on top form again. We aimed to leave Europe in the top 20 and I'm really happy to have achieved that. It's set a good tone for the rest of the race. »

Press Release
Team Gauloises


Seems like the Hummer was a roadblock.

[Bricoop]

wow, that could have been disasterous. Can't wait for the On-board! Anybody hear of Any damage to the H3?

[bufeo]

wow, that could have been disasterous. Can't wait for the On-board! Anybody hear of Any damage to the H3?

If I'm reading the Standings board correctly, #320 is less than 19 min off the leader. That doesn't look too bad at this stage. I believe that both the first two timed Stages were more suited for the WRC cars. At least that's what I'm getting from France Channel 3.

Allen R

[bufeo]

Video is now up on You Tube. You can see--and almost feel--the little excursion off into the ditch. Hard to tell the extent of the damage.

Allen R

[JasonHutter]

Robby's Stage two video is up! Do they carry extra body work with them? If not, how do you think this will effect the work he did in the wind tunnel?

YouTube - Stage 2 - Dakar 2007

Jason

[spalind]

Are they allowed to work on the truck as it crosses over to Africa or is it "impounded" during the overnight?

[Hemp]

jeez andy's belts sure are loose

body damage didnt look too bad

[RGFan]

A couple of pics of the damage

[Hog Wild]

Are they allowed to work on the truck as it crosses over to Africa or is it "impounded" during the overnight?I believe they are not allowed to work on the vehicles while on the ferry. Once they get off, they may have a bit of time to do a few things while they wait for their liaison start time. Last year, starting towards the end of the bikes, we had about 45 minutes of waiting time after getting off the ferry. After that they go on the liaison where they could possibly make up some time (by speeding on the highway) to allow a bit more work while they wait at the start of the Special. Unfortunately, their suppourt truck will be far behind due to the much later liaison start times for the trucks. If they're lucky, they'll have an opportunity to grab some tools and parts from their support truck somewhere before starting out on the liaison, and dump them out at the start of the Special. My guess is some or all of these things have already happend, since they had a super long liaison after the Special today. The Hummer may have been in perfect condition by the time it went on the ferry.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Last Year they had 5 bodies with them. I know they hacked some up with all the changes. But the damage looks to be only to the one piece front end and the bumper tube on the rt side.

[Samco Fab]

The stage 1 incident where RG got stuck seemed to be from his caution around the crowds, a good sign that he was not pushing too hard.

It seems to me the car looked a bit slopy and out of control on stage 2, if you watch other parts of the video, RG goes off the road a couple of times, and the ditch incident. Almost seems like he is not focused, or pushing too hard, or mabye some handling problem with the H3. I hope he cleans it up when they get to Africa and gets that H3 up front. Anybody else think the same thing at all:confused:

I hope no real damage was done to the suspension, spindle, hub or cooling system, looked ok to me.

Mark Miller seems to be running consistantly, good for him.

[Yumaoffroad]

The stage 1 incident where RG got stuck seemed to be from his caution around the crowds, a good sign that he was not pushing too hard.

It seems to me the car looked a bit slopy and out of control on stage 2, if you watch other parts of the video, RG goes off the road a couple of times, and the ditch incident. Almost seems like he is not focused, or pushing too hard, or mabye some handling problem with the H3. I hope he cleans it up when they get to Africa and gets that H3 up front. Anybody else think the same thing at all:confused: I hope no real damage was done to the suspension or cooling system, looked ok to me.

Mark Miller seems to be running consistantly, good for him.

damit i dunt understand why the other little rally Vws cans are going ahead of RG they got like 8-10inches of Travel but they are light as feather

[E&S Racing]

It did look like the car was handling a little poorly but who knows. Andy needs to tighten those belts for sure

[Big Hock]

It seems to me the car looked a bit slopy and out of control on stage 2, if you watch other parts of the video, RG goes off the road a couple of times, and the ditch incident. Almost seems like he is not focused, or pushing too hard, or mabye some handling problem with the H3. I hope he cleans it up when they get to Africa and gets that H3 up front. Anybody else think the same thing at all:confused:


My guess would be he was super-pissed he dumped it into the ditch. Angry driving isn't always helpful...

[Bricoop]

My guess would be he was super-pissed he dumped it into the ditch. Angry driving isn't always helpful...

they have to bleep out a few words in the video. You can read Andy's lips pretty well though.

[Yumaoffroad]

how much power does RG have compared to the VW amd the mistubishis? Doesnt RG have an LS7??

[Bricoop]

how much power does RG have compared to the VW amd the mistubishis? Doesnt RG have an LS7??

Correct LS7. Around 450 to 500 horses with the restrictor plate is what I last heard.

"Volkswagen with new four-valve TDI-engine in 2007 Dakar Rally Wolfsburg (30 November 2006). Stronger and more agile: Volkswagen starts the 2007 Dakar Rally in January with a new four-valve TDI-engine.
The 2.5 litre five-cylinder in-line diesel engine in the Race Touareg 2 is equipped with a completely newly developed cylinder head, which helps to increase the power output to 285 hp and push the maximum torque over 600 Nm. The response characteristics of the two-stage forced induction Turbo-Diesel were also noticeably improved for the demanding desert event."

[Big Hock]

how much power does RG have compared to the VW amd the mistubishis? Doesnt RG have an LS7??

LS7 with restrictions according to the ASO rulebook. It's not like he can just drop an 700hp motor into the thing, they have all kinds of intake/blah blah restrictions he has to follow. It ain't Trophy Truck racing!

[FlyHiFlyLo]

KayTech only has 18 months of developement in his LS-7... 12 more months and Some serious breakthroughs can happen... I would say next year he will have 50 more HP. He still needs to chop 500 more LBS off the beast. And... One of his issues is when they converted the RG shocks to the front end last month they never really got them dialed in before they shipped it over.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

One thing I would like to see is Toyo make him some 37x18" wide tires for the back and some 37x12" wide tires for the front then pull all that neg camber out of the front.

[NIKAL]

One of his issues is when they converted the RG shocks to the front end last month they never really got them dialed in before they shipped it over.

I was wondering about that. Robby always likes alot of rebound. He likes keeping the nose high. I was wondering if is has to much and he cant get the front end down enough causing the front to look sloppy as earlier stated. Also I have not looked at RG big shock up close but I do know they dont have any external tubes that can be adjusted. So my guess is to do any major shock tuning they will have to open them up and adjust the shim stacks. Maybe?

[FlyHiFlyLo]

I was wondering about that. Robby always likes alot of rebound. He likes keeping the nose high. I was wondering if is has to much and he cant get the front end down enough causing the front to look sloppy as earlier stated. Also I have not looked at RG big shock up close but I do know they dont have any external tubes that can be adjusted. So my guess is to do any major shock tuning they will have to open them up and adjust the shim stacks. Maybe?


They are adjusted with a welder and a drill :confused: .

[Bricoop]

13min penalty. Ouch!!! why???

[Alliturken]

damit i dunt understand why the other little rally Vws cans are going ahead of RG they got like 8-10inches of Travel but they are light as feather

VW's Dakar budget is somewhere around $100,000,000, those things are kick butt race machines, lots of testing, they know what they are doing. Lighter, 4x4, tons of torque, perfect for the narrower and twisty early stages. Sainz is a legendary driver on that kind of terrain, you can't underestimate guys like that. Suspension travel will make a difference in some parts of this race, but not in the early stages. The Hummer is prolly about the least suitable machine out there for those first 2-3 stages. It'll be at home in the desert.

Hummer handling: I wonder about the swaybars he added this year. Could that have made the front end too firm? Looking at the vids, looks like he's plowing, and having to over-drive it to get the tail around. Any opinions from the experts among you? Last years version looked much softer in the front. By contrast, the VW's look like they rotate so easily with a minimum of steering input....perfectly balanced.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

13min penalty. Ouch!!! why???

Maybe late to the starting line?

[RGFan]

Looks like they were given time to fix the body work

[Racer_C]

Now they're an hour behind.

[Samco Fab]

3 open, rough stages, and some smooth fast driving, he could be top 5. They are not in the "Dakar" stages yet. Without a road, he will be able to pass cars easily and use his advantage.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Looks like this stage was another muddy one.

[Icewalker]

3 open, rough stages, and some smooth fast driving, he could be top 5. They are not in the "Dakar" stages yet. Without a road, he will be able to pass cars easily and use his advantage.

Don't know about any advantage - but it may level the playing field a bit.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

My only hope at this point is for Miller's engine to explode.

[spalind]

My only hope at this point is for Miller's engine to explode.

Now thats not nice!!:D and a tad premature...a long way to go....

[Chase 2]

My only hope at this point is for Miller's engine to explode.

You are right. So you ready to choose a place for lunch yet??? LOL, JK. Dude man, there is a long way to go.

I would have expected a better finish on day one in the damp sand, that was a total horsepower day.

Remember the main thing in those stages yet to come is NAVIGATION, NAVIGATION, NAVIGATION. Andy seems awfully quiet for some reason. RG seems too relaxed also.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

You are right. So you ready to choose a place for lunch yet??? LOL, JK. Dude man, there is a long way to go.

I would have expected a better finish on day one in the damp sand, that was a total horsepower day.

Remember the main thing in those stages yet to come is NAVIGATION, NAVIGATION, NAVIGATION. Andy seems awfully quiet for some reason. RG seems too relaxed also.


Yes, we need a 600KM stage of 1 foot boulders and silt.

[RRose]

just updated on RG.com.... the penelty was for speeding in stage 2.

[spalind]

just updated on RG.com.... the penelty was for speeding in stage 2.

No...the site says it was for speeding in stage 1...

[RacingOne]

Hey fly, whats wrong with photos on RG.com on the first 2 pages, I thought you were large and in charge with those photos?

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Hey fly, whats wrong with photos on RG.com on the first 2 pages, I thought you were large and in charge with those photos?

It don't help to be large or in charge if the photos got uploaded from Africa wrong now does it? I seen that yesterday and I was going to rebuild the index but if The Punk has the photos linked and I modifiy them then it screws up more than just the thumbnails. It messes up the code on the main site. It's bad enough he brought a knife to the gunfight when its comes to internet hardware. His sim card blows nuts. If he had a dish like Dirt News Does we would be up to our ears in footage. GarrrOwnteeeed!

[dfmcse]

It don't help to be large or in charge if the photos got uploaded from Africa wrong now does it? I seen that yesterday and I was going to rebuild the index but if The Punk has the photos linked and I modifiy them then it screws up more than just the thumbnails. It messes up the code on the main site. It's bad enough he brought a knife to the gunfight when its comes to internet hardware. His sim card blows nuts. If he had a dish like Dirt News Does we would be up to our ears in footage. GarrrOwnteeeed!

Fly, thanks for pointing out the problem. As for messing up the code, cant you just pull the photos so they don't show up at all. Robby's has new fans bouncing off of the youtube to the site and when they see the broken links they think he's got lame site. When it is actually pretty good, other than the year old links that point to last years Dakar.

By the way, I love your blogspot, especially all the tech specs. Keep the info flowing.

Doug

[carczar_84]

does anybody know if or when there will be video of stage 3?

[dfmcse]

does anybody know if or when there will be video of stage 3?

No but they've got the stage report up at http://www.robbygordon.com/cms/publish/article_826.shtml

[dfmcse]

No but they've got the stage report up at http://www.robbygordon.com/cms/publish/article_826.shtml

It's up now.

[tigengineer]

in the video robby states that the motor was down on power.... anyone know what happened there? and do they have extra engines? thanks

[spalind]

does anybody know if or when there will be video of stage 3?

Up now...

[bufeo]

... If he had a dish like Dirt News Does we would be up to our ears in footage. GarrrOwnteeeed!

I have a DataStorm Motosat on top of our trailer. Does this mean that maybe I could be a link next year???? Huh? Huh? :D

Allen R

[carczar_84]

Hope they can get their motor issues sorted out. I really want to see that thing rip in the dunes.:D :D

[FlyHiFlyLo]

in the video robby states that the motor was down on power.... anyone know what happened there? and do they have extra engines? thanks

The Monster is still just a bit on the Porky side. But when you drive a TT with 900HP and a Cup car with 850HP week in and week out... Everything is down on power. When he drives a rental car it's like driving a golf cart to him. He has one of those Scion XBs and he tosses that thing around like a rag doll (from what I was told).

[Bricoop]

Fly whats the motor issue. I hope they plan on staying up all night until they get it fixed.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Fly whats the motor issue. I hope they plan on staying up all night until they get it fixed.

They found the issue... The air cleaner is clogged with a 37MM hole. LOL

Hey! Andy's belts are tight tho....

By the way the first ten start 2 min apart then 1 min apart. If he hauls balls to the front... He can win by 20-30 min and kill the wabbit. I thought it was 2 min between. But not only for the first ten...

[gjw8253]

Found this on Bloomberg News today. Thank goodness they made the ferry...

U.S. Team in Dakar Rally Gets Lost in Spanish City (Update1)
2007-01-08 12:16 (New York)


(Adds that team also assists Nascar's Robby Gordon in fifth
paragraph.)

By Alex Duff
Jan. 8 (Bloomberg) -- A truck driven by a U.S. crew in The
Dakar rally, one of the toughest endurance events in auto racing,
needed a police escort after it got lost in the Spanish city of
Seville.
The three-man team blamed their Global Positioning System,
or GPS, for the mishap yesterday on day two of the race
characterized by desert racing in north Africa, said Diego
Gimenez, a spokesman for Seville city hall.
``Two police officers got them on the right road and told
them: watch out when you get to the desert because we won't be
around to help,'' Gimenez said by telephone.
Competitors in the three race categories -- cars, motorbikes
and trucks -- started out in Lisbon and caught a ferry last night
from Malaga, Spain, to Morocco before today's 648-kilometer (402-
mile) stretch into the desert. The rally ends in Dakar, Senegal,
on Jan. 21.
The only all-American team in the truck race comprises
Thomas Geviss, Paul Mischel and William Higman. They also act as
back-up for Robby Gordon, a Nascar driver competing in the car
category. The first American to win a stage in 2005, Gordon is
22nd after today's third stage.
Rob Harris, a spokesman for Gordon, didn't immediately
respond to a message seeking comment.
Race organizers give competitors a simplified format of GPS
that forces them to also use a map and compass.

[Bricoop]

wow, close call!

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Found this on Bloomberg News today. Thank goodness they made the ferry...

U.S. Team in Dakar Rally Gets Lost in Spanish City (Update1)
2007-01-08 12:16 (New York)


(Adds that team also assists Nascar's Robby Gordon in fifth
paragraph.)

By Alex Duff
Jan. 8 (Bloomberg) -- A truck driven by a U.S. crew in The
Dakar rally, one of the toughest endurance events in auto racing,
needed a police escort after it got lost in the Spanish city of
Seville.
The three-man team blamed their Global Positioning System,
or GPS, for the mishap yesterday on day two of the race
characterized by desert racing in north Africa, said Diego
Gimenez, a spokesman for Seville city hall.
``Two police officers got them on the right road and told
them: watch out when you get to the desert because we won't be
around to help,'' Gimenez said by telephone.
Competitors in the three race categories -- cars, motorbikes
and trucks -- started out in Lisbon and caught a ferry last night
from Malaga, Spain, to Morocco before today's 648-kilometer (402-
mile) stretch into the desert. The rally ends in Dakar, Senegal,
on Jan. 21.
The only all-American team in the truck race comprises
Thomas Geviss, Paul Mischel and William Higman. They also act as
back-up for Robby Gordon, a Nascar driver competing in the car
category. The first American to win a stage in 2005, Gordon is
22nd after today's third stage.
Rob Harris, a spokesman for Gordon, didn't immediately
respond to a message seeking comment.
Race organizers give competitors a simplified format of GPS
that forces them to also use a map and compass.

Did they get lost in the "Red Light" district or was Turbo looking for an In-N-Out... LOL

[cabo500]

"Watch out when you get to the desert because we won't be
around to help", Seville Police.

Thanks for the material fly,
Janice

[desertbull]

Did they get lost in the "Red Light" district or was Turbo looking for an In-N-Out... LOL

Maybe both---but in what order? lol

Perhaps Will was looking for an Internet Cafe to send out his Blog updates? LOL

:) :) :) :)

[Bricoop]

SO looks like Robby is still out on the course, another terrible day in the desert.

[RacingOne]

So FLy, is your Blog down right now?

[Jake88X]

YouTube - Stage 2 - Dakar 2007

repost?

[JasonHutter]

We don't have terrible days in the desert, just learning experiences!

Jason

[Bricoop]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG6lL_SeHWE&eurl=

repost?

yep, but thanks for lookin out.

[Bajamilero]

49 320 Gordon Grider Hummer 12h54'19" + 3h37'08 + 00'09"0

robbys out in 49 pos

[Bricoop]

By out, you mean out of the special I assume.

[Bajamilero]

yes it got the 49th overall position, he's still on the race

[Bricoop]

New Video: YouTube - Stage 4: Er Rachidia - Ouarzazate

[Big Hock]

Just watched stage 4 vid, and it did seem waaay bogged down in places where you would think he would be flat f'n out. He couldn't pass that one car, and just had no speed across the board. Oh yea, Andy's belts are loose again.

[Bricoop]

Car sounded terrible, so dissapointed on this end. He needs to go out there and win stages. Give the hummer some press time and keep their PR happy.

[bufeo]

Interesting video. I wonder if the soundtrack is linked to their intercom. They sure are quiet. :confused:

About Andy's belts, he says he likes it that way.

Allen R

[Rory]

besides the obvious motor problems, it looks like he hit some pretty big holes today and the suspension sucked it up pretty good, if he can have a couple good stages he could make up a lot of time (I doubt 3 hours). Tomorrow will be interesting.

[carczar_84]

Hope Robby and team have used up all their bad luck. I want to see some video of that thing haulin' a** through the desert.

[carczar_84]

It seems that if they get all their motor problems behind them, RG should be looking good in the upcoming stages. With a healthy engine and way more suspension than the VW's, he should be able to make up some serious ground. Gas On RG.

[RacingOne]

Dakar: Team Dakar USA stage four report
Racing series CCR
Date 2007-01-09

Africa begins to show her many traps in today's stage. This was the competitors' first opportunity to see the dunes in the 2007 Dakar Rally. Today's stage was a test of the competitor's patience and endurance.



Gordon had high hopes for today's special which was 405km over terrain that was well suited to both the H3 and Robby Gordon's driving style. He felt that this Moroccan stage from Er Richida to Ouarzazate would have given both he and navigator Andy Grider the chance to showcase the team's speed.


Contaminated fuel caused the Team Monster Energy/Toyo Tire/Hummer to have less horsepower than the H3 race engine is capable of producing and never allowed the team to really show their strengths.



"Our goal was to come here and win," said Gordon as he returned to the bivouac. We have been plagued with bad luck, but we won't let it get us down. This is a long rally and we must put the bad luck behind us and keep moving forward."



As the team prepares the H3 for the following day's special to Tan Tan they believe that the fuel issue has been resolved. The rocky terrain of the stage 6 special will be a favorable environment for the Hummer to regain momentum and to improve the overall standing of the team.

-credit: tdusa

[Woody]

What is Robby talking about? How does clogged fuel injectors cause the spark plug wire to burn up?

[texican]

I was wondering the same thing. Dunno, maybe clogged injectors caused those cylinders to run lean driving up plug temps and melting the plug ends????? It does seem to me they are having a lot of stupid problems that an experienced off road team should not be having. Slipping clutch first day out of the box stage 1, down on power stage 3 and today which was probably a carry over from 3, all over contaminated fuel???? Contaminated with what? Who on team is in charge of fuel purchases and handling? Who supplies it? How is it filtered prior to use in the race car? These questions, I am sure, Robby will address but this is the type of crap that should not be happening to them. Hobby racers playing in the sand hills yeah, but not pros.