VW Dakar 07 Miller/Pitchford

[Mark_Miller]

I just returned from Germany for Christmas and finished up mechanical training and a few other things. I brought a few pictures back from the 07 media guide that you might like, the team picture we did in Dubai.

I am really happy with how everything has went with the team and at all the tests, they are finishing up the final touches on the cars and everyone will have a nice rest over the holidays so we can launch full attack come January.

I plan on doing the daily call ins like usual and the usadakar.com site will get updated starting the first week in Jan.

The Race Touareg 2 looks like last years but every major component is new, engine, steering, suspension, etc. etc., so the car really is awesome to drive.

Everyone that can't go will get a great show this year, all the big teams have really stepped up their games, the level is the highest ever. Thanks to everyone for checking in and all the support.
Mark Miller

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Good luck Mark... Car looks great and the team pic is nice. Have you heard anything about the BMW team for this year? They look to be real strong. I have several friends at BMW and they said they have also made huge strides... I agree, it is going to be a fierce battle in Africa.

Craig and I have our usual bet this year and I hope to see you on the podium in second place. (12 hours and one Minute behind RG):eek: If RG blows it I hope to see you take the gold.

Once again, good luck!

[erikh]

Good luck and drive hard! I can't wait for the call ins and race coverage.

erik

[ONE_RJ]

Mark,
This is your year !!! Drive Safe, Drive Smart and it will be yours.
I can't wait to hear your reports.
How about teasing us with some in-car video along the way also?

[Bomber52]

Mark,

Good luck to you guys. Please send Ralph my regards.

Glenn Classen

[Lance T]

Good luck Mark!

[ZequeArgentina]

Good luck!!
Great to read first hand opinions from a top driver in the Dakar.

Is consumption an issue nowadays in Dakar, or being a diesel that is not so important,?

[baja619]

Awesome looking car

[RacingOne]

Hey Mark, good luck this year at Dakar, can you explain why they went from 5 cars last year 4 cars thsi year?

Good to see you guys get A/C this year, they said last year car was over loaded with dust, the A/C should help pressurize the interior too keep out the dust.

Keep the update coming, explain how the weather effects the VW's and how you are doing that stage compared to other front runners.

Good Luck Mark!

[Mark_Miller]

I was at the Essen motor show last week and I saw the new BMW and actually got a technical debreifing from the team boss, the car looks really good, they have made big strides in many areas and they will be a force.

They also have compiled a high quality team, most of you don't kow Nasser but he has just won a rally championship in Europe at the level right below the WRC. He also is from Qatar( I think) anyways he has much experiance in the desert and is always very fast. They also have a young Frechmen that is fast and Jutta and Tina should be a good team.

[Mark_Miller]

few more pics, the big trucks are awesome to see what they can do!

[RacingOne]

Hey Mark, the VW's sure look a lot shorter than the old verisons, looks like there is very little overhang at all. How much weight did they lose over the older verisons?

[Mark_Miller]

same wheelbase, just less overhang so a better angle of attack. It makes a huge difference in the dunes with the newer style front AOA.

As for the question on 5 drivers vs 4, I really do not have any insight into driver selection or numbers.

A side note to that is there is a semi-works car this year with a great team, Phoenix Racing from Germany, driver and co-driver, Carlos Sousa and Andy Schultz(Andy has won Dakar as a works Mitsubishi Nav and was Carlos Sainz right side last year), They have a different sponsor, Lagos Sport from Portugal. Carlos Sousa is a fast driver with good credentials and knows the game so he will be in the hunt also and he has all the same stuff we have as far as I know. So we still have 5 strong Race Touaregs.

As for consumption issue, It is a really big issue for the gasoline powered cars. This year there are new rules about refueling during a stage, it looks to me like you will not be able to refuel on a liason, which means you have to make it from the Bivouac to the Bivouac on fuel, this should work to our advantage as we get much better mileage that the gasoline powered cars.

[cvc motorsports]

Good Luck Mark! I always look forward to your call in reports. Your a class act! Be safe and have fun!

[ZequeArgentina]

Thanks Mark.

So definately consumption is still an issue.


Regaridng Nasser Al Attiyah, he is now World champion in Production World Rally Champ. (group N cars). He knows Dakar well, he is fast in theere (won stages in frist year of BMW X5s). one to watch.

And same can be said regarding Sousa. I do not know about his team and technical backing, but if it is good; he could be there if some of the tops Mitsus fails

[klaus]

Our friend Helge at Zitzewitz Rallye Weblog just pointed out to me that they have two audio interviews with Mark Miller and Ralph Pitchford online now.

http://zitzewitz.com/dakar/podcast-mark-miller-and-ralph-pitchford

Helge is the webmaster of Dirk Zitzewitz Weblog and will have outstanding updates during this years Dakar.

[baja619]

Outstanding Mark, You truely are an inspiration to all of us.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

The question is... Will the extra 3.7 ounces give his U.S. counterpart the edge needed? :D