Jan 12th, 2013 Dakar Rally Stage 8 Race Info & Discussion

Join in and discuss all the action from Stage 8 of the 2013 Dakar Rally. Robby Gordon recorded his 3rd straight 3rd place finish in Stage 7, but remains 23rd overall. Gordon is still down over 5 hours in the overall, but will get yet another good starting spot in an attempt to win his first stage of the rally. The cars are slated to begin the special section of stage 8 at 12:05pm/et and Robby Gordon will begin his special section around 12:11pm/etam/et. Raceday chat will be available throughout the entire 2013 Dakar Rally. UPDATE: Stage 8 will now begin at KM288.

2013 Photos

STAGE 8 TRACKING

STAGE 8: SALTA > SAN MIGUEL DE TUCAMAN

Connection 379km | Special Stage 470km | Total 849km

COURSE OVERVIEW

The Tucuman route will be divided into two timed sections with a variety of scenery. With hoodoos, canyons and cacti, the competitors will discover the red and green backdrop of Argentina’s most beautiful natural landscape, which will unfold for more than 150 km creating a Western atmosphere. During the second half of the timed section, which will take place in a region completely unknown to the Dakar, the contrast will be apparent on the sandy and sometimes tricky tracks. It may also be manifested through the weather conditions, if the wind is combined with the high temperatures which ravage the region. The rest day will rarely have been more deserved, in particular for the motorcyclists who will finish their marathon stage..

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Permalink Reply by TOG on January 11, 2013 at 8:35pm

wow..what a LONG special...early start too.

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Permalink Reply by patricio garcia on January 11, 2013 at 8:55pm

right into my city, wish I could be there to root for Robby in person!!!!

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Permalink Reply by geothermaljones on January 12, 2013 at 11:50am

Patricio,
Is rain a common thing in this area?
I thought the Atacama was one of the driest places on earth.
What is your city?

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Permalink Reply by patricio garcia on January 12, 2013 at 5:33pm

I'm from Tucuman. when it rains, it pours.... and in the summer it rains a lot.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 11, 2013 at 8:58pm

with two timed sections totaling 338k or 210m's of 'racing' and the second section of 113m that has not been used before. This, IMO, is what Robby is racing for that this time and space.Force unforced errors on Nasser and Stephane.Having Chicherit pushing for stage wins will also help put pressure on the lead duo.
Maybe with this long of stage, Nasser might have fuel milage issues?!

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 12, 2013 at 7:56am

A few changes have been made to today's stage due to the torrential rain falling on the area: the first part of the special has been cancelled, including the entire Truck stage, which was supposed to take place on this part of the course. On the other hand, the second part of the special for cars, motorcycles and quads will go on as planned. The motorcycles and quads will set off at 12:00 pm local time, followed by the cars at 2:05 pm local.

the 'special' starts at the 288k mark and races thru area's they have not used in previous rallys.

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Permalink Reply by OMRBUBBAO on January 11, 2013 at 9:21pm

TOG Thanks for doing what your doing you ROCK Drive it like you stole it R G

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Permalink Reply by J.R. Sands on January 11, 2013 at 10:29pm

Looks tough...

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Permalink Reply by Roughtoys Racing on January 11, 2013 at 10:34pm

Thank you Planet for all the information. To all the Robby fans and the Planet, It's awesome to be a Robby Fan! Thank you Planet!

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Permalink Reply by TOG on January 11, 2013 at 10:56pm

Hearing the bikes will not begin until KM288 - canceled the first part of the special due to rain. I wonder how this will effect the cars?

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Permalink Reply by will on January 11, 2013 at 11:05pm

Para la categoría de camiones, la etapa ha sido cancelada en su totalidad.
For the truck category, the stage has been paid in full.
http://www.emol.com/noticias/deportes/2013/01/11/578799/acortan-la-...

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 11, 2013 at 11:08pm

SALTA. - The Dakar organization decided to cut the first part of the eighth stage of the rally, between the towns of Salta in Argentina and San Miguel de Tucuman, due to heavy rains that have fallen in the last few hours.

According sources told Efe the organizers, the route starts at km 288 of the stage, right after a stretch that was neutralized.

Thus, the stage will have a total of 183 kilometers. Then, the drivers will 228 kilometers ahead Liaison to San Miguel de Tucuman, where there will be the rest day.