Jan 16th, 2014 Dakar Rally Stage 11 Race Info & Discussion

Join in and discuss all the action from Stage 11 of the 2014 Dakar Rally. Robby Gordon recorded a 20th place finish in stage 10, and is still looking to capture his first stage win of the rally. Robby Gordon will begin stage 11 at 8:15am/et

2014 Stage 10 Photos

STAGE 11 TRACKING

STAGE 11: ANTOFAGASTA > EL SALVADOR

Connection 144km | Special Stage 605km | Total 749km

COURSE OVERVIEW

In addition to the distance, here the competitors will be put to the test by all the difficulties offered by the Atacama Desert… and will have to display all the qualities required for off-road races. After the mine tracks and the many rivers to cross, the competitors will have to distinguish themselves in the heart of the Dunes of Copiapo: the fastest motorcyclists are expected to spend seven hours behind the wheel. Needless to say that on this decisive day there will be no shortage of opportunities for competitors to make a winning comeback in the race. This will be the key stage of the 2014 edition.

The GREEN section of the route is the connection , the RED is the Special Section of the stage.

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Permalink Reply by Agustin Godoy on January 16, 2014 at 11:23pm

If official abandonment of Robby me feel terrible. I'm from Argentina and I think one person and a great driver. I who am here and could find no concrete information of what is happening to Robby.

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Permalink Reply by Baja Girl 77 on January 16, 2014 at 11:29pm

Good effort team speed Robby sitll a winner to me even if he didn't win Dakar!

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Permalink Reply by Brian Nichols on January 16, 2014 at 11:39pm

I agree it has been a crazy ride and to bad the team had such a bad day. TOG thanks for all of your awesome work in keeping all of us Robby junkies informed. Cant wait for next year already to see the progression of the Gordini.

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Permalink Reply by TOG on January 16, 2014 at 11:50pm

2014 Dakar Rally Stage 11: Antofagasta to El Salvador

El Salvador, Chile (January 16, 2014) –

Robby Gordon and the SPEED Energy/Toyo Tires Gordini began Thursday’s 11th stage of the 2014 Dakar Rally with the same tenacity and determination that they start any race. The day’s goal was to capture the team’s first stage victory of Gordon’s 10th attempt at Dakar glory.

Just 18 kilometers into the stage, however, Gordon and navigator Kellon Walch noticed a severe fuel contamination issue and returned to Antofagasta, Chile where the stage began. Once there, the team went to work for more than 10 hours to diagnose and repair the damage the fuel created.

Gordon did not return to the race during Thursday’s stage, and as of late Thursday night the entire team was traveling toward El Salvador where they hope to return to competition Friday. Given their remote location and the late hour, despite its ability to return to the race, it remains to be seen if the sanctioning body A.S.O. will permit the Gordini to complete the final two stages of the Rally.

Further updates on Gordon’s status in the race will be released Friday morning.

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Engrav on January 16, 2014 at 11:53pm

Interesting; hopefully they're at least allowed to start at the back or something and just run the stages, regardless of how much time in penalties they have.

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Permalink Reply by John Galt on January 17, 2014 at 12:00am

He'll do it for the fans. If not on Rally Route maybe the beach and burnouts in the street

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Permalink Reply by pdxracefan on January 17, 2014 at 12:03am

Me, and others, wonder, now what? I guess we all wait.

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Permalink Reply by Will Higman on January 17, 2014 at 12:04am

The organization is responsible for helping all teams with logistically refueling their vehicles, either purchased or supplied (by org.) remotely. If there was a bad load of fuel purchased at a station approved/recommended on/during stage there could be some responsibility on the shoulders of the ASO.