Jan 7th, 2015 Dakar Rally Stage 4 Race Info & Discussion

Join in and discuss all the action from Stage 4 of the 2015 Dakar Rally. Robby Gordon recorded a respectable 15th place finish in stage 3. The rally moves into Chile, and the Gordini should be very strong in the Atacama Desert. The special section of Stage 4 is 315km long. Robby Gordon start time: 1:11pm/et. Gordon sits 40th in the overall standings, 4h24m behind. Raceday chat will be available throughout the entire 2015 Dakar Rally.

2015 Stage 3 Photos

STAGE 4 TRACKING

STAGE 4: CHILECITO > COPIAPO

Connection 594km | Special Stage 315km | Total 909km

COURSE OVERVIEW

The competitors will have to prove they are worthy of entering Chile! A very early start and a climb to a height of 4,800 metres will precede the border crossing at Paso San Francisco. The really challenging section will begin with a gradual warm-up on the mining tracks, before drivers are faced with the reality of the Atacama Desert. The route here is open and sandy. Over the course of the last 40 kilometres, the giant dunes and basins of Copiapo will have to be tackled and for many this will be at night. Overcoming them will require finesse and instinct.

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 TOG on January 6, 2015 at 10:37pm

1:11pm/et start time for Robby Gordon on Wednesday.

West coasters on vacation can sleep in :)

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Permalink Reply by will on January 6, 2015 at 10:39pm

Whatever... Start times - http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2015/us/stage-4/live-timing/sector-1-df-...

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Permalink Reply by TOG on January 6, 2015 at 11:11pm

Your link is the start time for the connector, Argentina into Chile, but the Special Section starts MUCH LATER -> http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2015/us/stage-4/live-timing/sector-2-df-...

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Permalink Reply by pdxracefan on January 6, 2015 at 10:37pm

TOG: Any word from the team on car condition, issues, Robby's mood? Stuff like that.

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Permalink Reply by WJM on January 6, 2015 at 10:42pm

369 mile liaison over the Andes to the start of the Special. That's the equivalent of driving from the Colorado/Kansas border over the Continental Divide to the Colorado/Utah border.....and then racing another 195+ miles.

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Permalink Reply by Wheaton56 on January 6, 2015 at 11:21pm

Wow. That puts in prospective.

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Permalink Reply by Bob on January 7, 2015 at 3:05am

No kidding, that's a lot of driving ! And then some cars may have to drive the dunes at night ? Sounds like another harsh stage where it pays to start among the front runners

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Permalink Reply by Team Maranello on January 6, 2015 at 10:45pm

That is a lot of sand. Chance to make up some serious time

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Engrav on January 6, 2015 at 10:55pm

Finally! Dunes! Will really get to see what these vehicles are made of

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Permalink Reply by WJM on January 6, 2015 at 10:57pm

Cyril Despres in the Peugeot leaves the line 2 minutes ahead of Robby. What's the over/under on how long it takes Robby to catch him?

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Permalink Reply by GLuce on January 6, 2015 at 11:03pm

faster than he caught Chicherit!

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Permalink Reply by ROBERT SAVAGE on January 6, 2015 at 11:05pm

When the summary says that they will be starting early does that mean from the beginning of the connection , that is an mph speed limit to the start of the special that is where the racing begin at say 10ish PST?