Team SPEED Stage 5 Recap

Gordon on podium once again, Nasser finds trouble late in stage

Fiambala, Argentina (January 5, 2012) - Robby Gordon and his SPEED Energy/Toyo Tires HUMMER did exactly what needed to be done in the 5th stage of the Dakar Rally to gain time and position in the overall standings. The same can't be said for his teammate, Qatarian driver, Nasser Al-Attiyah, as a costly mistake could diminish his hopes for another Dakar Rally overall victory.

Gordon started off the line in 14th place quickly setting a pace as one of the fastest cars in the dunes today. This stage, taking the competitors from Chilecito to Fiambala, had to be shortened due to large amounts of rain in the area.

Nasser Al-Attiyah jumped out to an early lead with Robby Gordon right on his tail. Gordon talked about his solid run, "we ran together for a good part of the stage. He ran his car pretty hard so I figured if that's what he wants to do then that's okay. I just didn't want him to get too far out front from me. For us it was good, just what we wanted. If it wasn't for stopping to aid Nasser when he had problems, I'm sure we could have won yet another stage. Today showed what our cars are capable of in the sand and I look forward to progressing further into the rally on the days to come."

After leading nearly the entire special, Al-Attiyah would encounter problems towards the end and found himself losing even more minutes to the overall leader. Pushing his HUMMER to the limit would cause him to bottom out and bend the frame near the rear of the race vehicle that surrounds the motor; therefore resulting in spare wheel rubbing against the water lines causing slight damage but not enough to hurt the motor since Nasser stopped just in time and fixed the problem.

"Even though he may be down in time again, the positive side of it is that he is capable of winning stages. He must keep his head up and keep digging. Racers don't run the Dakar to come here and quit." Gordon said about Al-Attiyah being nearly an hour down now to the leader.

With Gordon gaining 3 minutes and now sitting in 4th place overall, he knows consistency is a must for him and his SPEED Energy/Toyo Tires team. Tomorrow is a long stage for everyone as the teams cross the Andes into Chile. Gordon looks to post another top 5 finish, which would be his 5th out of 6 stages. Al-Attiyah will look for redemption as he will try for his second stage victory in the 2012 Dakar Rally.

*Editors note: STAGE 6 CANCELED Due to the bad weather continuing over the Andes Cordillera (rain and snow), the Chilean authorities were forced to close, for the night, the border at Paso de San Francisco, situated at 4700m.

For the 7th time, the Dakar is about to cross over the Andes, and because of very unfavourable conditions, added to the fact that the course has been hit by rain and snow, in order to guarantee the security of the competitors and those following the rally, the organisers have decided to organise a convoy for all vehicles tomorrow. The itinerary has been changed after the border (follow the main road on the right which goes to Diego de Almagro).

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Permalink Reply by speedy7 on January 6, 2012 at 1:03am

Remember to smell the rose's every now and again, which I think us PR people will at the end.......

Permalink Reply by R. ALDRIDGE on January 6, 2012 at 2:26am

KAG - couple of things. It would be nice to just switch the rest day and keep going, but they really cant. The night before the New York marathon, bridges and roads closed, police in place, security hired, 1000 other things - you say "you know what?, lets not do it tomolrrow, lets go the next day." You just cant.

Also, wet roads, weather rain or snow, would not be kind to 2 wd, so you are really just losing a stage where we would Lose MORE time.

Permalink Reply by Michael Brettin on January 6, 2012 at 3:27am

The extra day off may be a good thing if conditions are not in the Hummers favor. And lets not forget that RGM is low on parts due to trucks stuck in customs. Speaking of which has there been any word on that status?

Permalink Reply by zoomsss on January 6, 2012 at 4:54am

Catching up on reading as many sources of info as my tired eyes will allow... per Robby's sis on twitter, dad left Thursday with friend to get to the support truck, had 14 bags and boxes with him. Not sure on hours in the air, but left like 9 hours ago and truck (singular I believe) is waiting shoreline.

Permalink Reply by alan4s on January 6, 2012 at 10:09am

zoomsss, you're mixing up your releif efforts. Baja Bob and a freind are flying into Chile with those spares, and renting a car to hook up with the team. The f2 support truck is/was in Argentina, and there are two team members there to load it up and drive across the continent to catch up with the team.

In any case, there will be plenty of spare parts soon. An extra off day helps those parts catch up.

Permalink Reply by FD REBEL on January 6, 2012 at 2:53pm

If Baja Bobs on it, it will get done! and fast!

Permalink Reply by zoomsss on January 7, 2012 at 12:40am

thanks for the correct info!

Permalink Reply by joseph on January 6, 2012 at 9:07am

this that to each thear own . just want to say ,THIS IS DAKAR BABY. great job to robby johny nasser all the mechanics drivers sponsors and people that make this happen.also to tog and all that make this sight , big thanks. disappointed no racing today but cant wait for next stage.gas on mother trucker.

Permalink Reply by Kenneth Earnest on January 6, 2012 at 9:32am

Hey Nasser being a rabbit and going all out is no surprise. That is who he is; he has ALWAYS driven that way. He is an extremely talented driver. He just does not always take into account the limitations of his equipment. Robby has a huge advantage because he knows the strengths and the weaknesses of these Hummers to the point that it is just a part of who he is. He just NATURALLY drives and operates that way. Nasser does not have this experience and is showing what an exquisite vehicle Robby and his TEAM have designed and built when driven without that knowledge. The results are stunning in their demonstration of what could be possible with an unlimited budget, but are frustrating in the reality of "could have been". Robby with his knowledge is driving for the win, and Nasser with his knowledge is driving for the win.

Permalink Reply by Mark R on January 6, 2012 at 10:05am

that stinks for nasser. but he is pushing hard, a little to hard. I was hoping for good finishes on both hummers. I think nasser is nervouse in a 2wd and still thinks he has to run hard to keep up. O well its racing and mistakes are made. Ive forgot to put gas in my race once and lost a win with 2 to go. ooppps it happens.

Permalink Reply by laura_a_Robbyfan on January 6, 2012 at 10:55am

speed energy needs to act like coke pr people and make sure Nasser has speed energy cans and not red bull in the hummer!

Permalink Reply by bighead on January 6, 2012 at 11:50am

I really like Nassar, his driving style is so much like Robby's. The all out driving is why I am a Robby fan, it may not win a championship but it sure as hell is fun to watch...I really hope Nassar keeps the hammer down....

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