Jan 12th, 2012 Dakar Rally Stage 11 Race Info & Discussion

Join in and discuss all the action from Stage 11 of the 2012 Dakar Rally. Robby Gordon finished 4th in stage 10 & is now down over 19 minutes in the overall standings. Cars begin stage 11 at 7:44am/et (9:44am local). Raceday chat will be available throughout the entire 2012 Dakar Rally. Raceday chat now works on the Ipad & Iphone.

STAGE 11 TRACKING


STAGE 11: Arica > Arequipa

Connection 120km | Special Stage 478km | Total 598km


COURSE OVERVIEW

For the Dakar's first day in their country, Peruvians will be entitled to two special stages and additional kilometres for the motorcyclists. After a day spent switching between off-piste sections and areas interspersed with rivers, they will benefit from a moment of camaraderie?: a specific bivouac will be set up for them before they continue exploring Peru. The concept, which had not been tried out again since the camp of Foum Zguid in Morocco during the 2007 Dakar, will also create a major obstacle which will affect the management of the race. The assistance vehicles will not be authorized in the maintenance area, where only the motorcyclists and quad riders will be able to help each other.




STAGE BY STAGE RESULTS

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ben Jeffreys on January 12, 2012 at 1:51pm
I just watched the Eurosport live show and I get the impression it was Peterhansel and Mini who raised an alarm on the Hummer because they are so much faster. It seemed that they can't accept the speed differential, but anyone who watched last years rally will remember that the Mini was slow. They picked up pace during the latter stages but lets face it, if some of the other factory teams of old were at this rally they'd be no where near the top running. They don't even look like rally raid cars in the context of larger utility vehicles and their ability to roll around crevices. I personally think it's the suspension the Hummer has that is giving the superior speed.

RG was adamant that his car is legitamate in respect of what is approved, and stood in front of the camera and vehemently denied any performance issue. I will trust that word.

As for Nasser and his behaviour, I've lost all respect for him. Initially, I was impressed with the way he drove the car, but when it became apparent that he really had lost interest and was simply disrespecting the vehicle - not caring what would happen to it, I think he needs to remember that people would give all sorts to drive that Hummer in their own driveway, let alone the Dakar rally. That's why I always support RG, he is solely interested in winning.

Really sad that the rally has taken this turn, and if RG is innocent, I hope he takes legal action against the ASO for the damaging of his own reputation and his Speed Energy brand. But what is not helping is the level of borderline racist remarks centred towards Mini, etc here. In these times, you need whatever leverage you can get, and the motorsports world is looking at RG and his fans right now more than ever. Don't give credence to those who consider RG to be a cheat or a 'redneck'. I am not patronising but I think that if the fans can remain objective, it does a lot more for RG than labelling everyone against him a 'frog'
Permalink Reply by alan4s on January 12, 2012 at 1:55pm

I agree with your final sentiments.

Permalink Reply by Drone637 on January 12, 2012 at 2:00pm

Now I'm really looking forward to getting a hold of the Eurosport show later tonight once I get back from work. As for why RG is faster, he has an unlimited suspension with 37" tires running against the Mini's which are limited to just under 10" of total travel. Gordon has had two years to work on tuning the engine to run with the intake restriction, if anyone can massage a restriction plate V8 into getting as much power as possible it's someone from Nascar. The Mini's are also faster in the tight sections and some of the climbs where the 4x4 and diesel torque are more of an advantage.

It will be interesting to see what happens next year when the new engine rules go into effect, De Villiers is down on power compared to everyone else as they built their engines to the 2013 standards instead of the current 2012 regulations in preparation for a strong run next year.

Permalink Reply by Wally Meier on January 12, 2012 at 2:25pm

Thanks for that Ben you absolutly nailed it!

Permalink Reply by Steve Lister on January 12, 2012 at 2:33pm
Very well stated Ben.
Permalink Reply by alan4s on January 12, 2012 at 1:53pm

From Dakar.com live feed:

At present, Robby Gordon has not yet entered zone 2 of this special stage and is on the neutralised section 30 kilometres from the start.
Permalink Reply by Xracer on January 12, 2012 at 2:05pm
Wow starting to get worried it's taking a long time...
Permalink Reply by alan4s on January 12, 2012 at 2:08pm

@SPEED_ENERGY on twitter says RG started the second leg, about ten minutes ago. But I don't see him through WP5 on the tracker yet.

Permalink Reply by tony kent on January 12, 2012 at 2:07pm

showing Robby@ WP5 1:11:48 back

Permalink Reply by Drone637 on January 12, 2012 at 2:10pm

I guess that means the Liaison was timed? That seems a bit weird to me, maybe they count when your parked? We will find out on the stage recap, now a fight to get back into 3rd at the very least.

Permalink Reply by tony kent on January 12, 2012 at 2:14pm

not sure how they time it Peterhansel & Roma started @ WP5 with the same overall time
they ended with before the Liasion Robby had over an hour added

Permalink Reply by Mark Allen on January 12, 2012 at 2:24pm

The times and gaps at the exit of the neutralization stages has more than once been screwed up. Look for the times at the next WP before we pass judgement. Remember Robby's mystery 19 minute lead at the exit of the tarmac a couple of stages ago?

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