Jan 10th, 2012 Dakar Rally Stage 9 Race Info & Discussion

Join in and discuss all the action from Stage 9 of the 2012 Dakar Rally. Robby Gordon finished 2nd in stage 8 & Nasser Al Attiyah finished 5th. Cars begin stage 9 at 7:54am/et (9:54am local). Raceday chat will be available throughout the entire 2012 Dakar Rally. Raceday chat now works on the Ipad & Iphone.

STAGE 9 TRACKING

STAGE 9: Antofagasto > Iquique

Connection 9km | Special Stage 556km | Total 565km

COURSE OVERVIEW

A two-part stage will keep the competitors busy who continue the climb to the north of the continent, between oceans and mountains. Two sections separated by a neutralization are on the agenda with varied features and landscapes. At the beginning of the day, the competitors will pass through canyons, drive on clean tracks and sink in the fesh fesh?! The second special stage will call upon the drivers' and co-drivers' navigational talents, who will have to make a decision based on the very limited landmarks, while remaining focused on the WPM. To reward them for this intensive endeavour, they will drive down the steep descent to Iquique, already featured on the 2010 Dakar route, to the shores of the Pacific Ocean.

STAGE BY STAGE RESULTS

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kevin Meyer on January 9, 2012 at 8:47pm

Very long stage, although 130 KM of it is untimed tarmac. Important to pass Roma in the first section (he'll pull over to let RG by, he's afraid of the hummer). End of the special is a race down to the sea shore. Hope somebody gets that on film!!

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Permalink Reply by Mark Allen on January 9, 2012 at 8:49pm

OK, call me an idiot. What, exactly, is "fesh fesh"?

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Permalink Reply by ktm pilot on January 9, 2012 at 8:54pm

"fesh fesh", really fine dust that looks like solid ground but behaves like soft mud.

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Permalink Reply by mj on January 9, 2012 at 9:05pm

Like the infamous silt beds ?

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Permalink Reply by roy on January 9, 2012 at 8:56pm

I think it's some type of deep soft sand. Probably similar to certain baja sections. Robby should be familiar with it.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Allen on January 9, 2012 at 8:57pm

thanks

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Permalink Reply by Ramon on January 9, 2012 at 9:02pm

Fesh Fesh, quote from adventurebikerider.com
" Fesh fesh, is what happens to sand in the great evolutionary process as it progresses from being fine grains of rock and turns into what could be described as the talcum powder of the desert. Much finer and lighter than sand it can present itself as a thin layer (say, 2 to 3 inches) over a harder flat surface or build up into a deep all engulfing depressions in undulating areas. Essentially fesh fesh is dust, in massive quantities. "

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Permalink Reply by TrickyTwo on January 9, 2012 at 9:02pm

Fesh fesh is very fine powdery sand. When piled up you sink right through it !! I believe the term originated in N. Africa.

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Permalink Reply by roy on January 9, 2012 at 9:05pm

This should explain;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ5lZu4-GXA&feature=youtube_gdat...

Pretty crazy. Can't see shit if someone in front. Let's hope he gets through it first!