Jan 8th, 2014 Dakar Rally Stage 4 Race Info & Discussion

Join in and discuss all the action from Stage 4 of the 2014 Dakar Rally. Robby Gordon recorded a 6th place finish in stage 3, and is now 3h46m behind. The first part of the special section of stage 4 is 217km, followed by a 185km 'neutral zone', then the last section is 284km (657km total). This is the longest special since 2005.

2014 Stage 3 Photos

STAGE 4 TRACKING

STAGE 4: SAN JUAN > CHILECITO

Connection 211km | Special Stage 657km | Total 868km

COURSE OVERVIEW

The strategy of the motorcyclists will come into play: initially their navigational skills will be seriously tested at the beginning of the morning, and then they will be faced with the problem of worn tyres, as they have already been over-used the day before. As for the drivers of cars, they will have an even more demanding route to tackle in the countryside. The Dakar’s competitors haven’t faced a special stage this long since the historical one from Zouerat to Tichit in 2005! They will have to cross rivers, descend the canyons in a Wild West setting and beware of the other participants: as these terrains are often wide open, it will be entirely possible to overtake fellow competitors.

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

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by GLuce on January 8, 2014 at 9:03am

There haven't been any red ones prior to cars reaching them at all today

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Permalink Reply by Blain on January 8, 2014 at 9:01am

If Robby doesn't get the win I hope Carlos Sainz can take down Nassir Al-attiya. I would love to see Sainz in a 2nd Robby car next season, that would kick ass. He always has nice things to say about Robby.

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Permalink Reply by GLuce on January 8, 2014 at 9:03am

If he wins in an SMG I don't see that happening

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Meyer on January 8, 2014 at 9:09am

So DeVillers is missing on the tracker but dakar.com confirmed that his team mate Poulter was stopped... I have a hard time believing Giniel is the tow truck. BJ Baldwin is thru WP3 46 min + down. I see the Jimco is having a good day only 20 minutes down thru WP3.

I like Sainz. He is a outstanding competitor and is tough to beat. That SMG buggy must be hooked up.

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Permalink Reply by Baja DQ on January 8, 2014 at 9:25am

With the competitors quickly approaching the second part of the special, a small group has formed at the front of the car race. Nasser Al-Attiyah, Carlos Sainz, Giniel de Villiers, Stéphane Peterhansel and Nani Roma are fighting for the stage victory, with just five minutes between the Qatari at the front and the Spaniard at the rear. The next 284 km will be decisive.

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Permalink Reply by Team Maranello on January 8, 2014 at 9:27am

You mean a Speed and Redbull on the same team. Mixing energy drinks gives me a head ache.

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Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 8, 2014 at 9:16am

Running and although loosing a little ground still making very respectable time halfway through the day.
With the issues to a few of the LS7's so far today it seems to me like some of those that were having the Vapor lock issues may have pushed a little too hard before the figured the problems out.
Now they may have damage that is beyond repair.
Of coarse they may just be having other issues but it is something to think about.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Meyer on January 8, 2014 at 9:18am

From dakar french site using babylon French to English translation -

While competitors will not delay to deal with the second part of special, a small group of head is form in the special Auto. Nasser Al-Attiyah , Carlos Sainz, Giniel de Villiers, Stephane Peterhansel and Nani Roma would be, in this order, fighting for the victory in a total interval of 5 minutes. As much to say that the next 284 kilometers will be decisive.

So they are saying DeVillers is in 3rd... must be having tracking issues and I believe that would drop RG back to 9th. Of course, what they are saying doesn't jive with the tracker as Terranova and Villagra have been fast today