Jan 15th Dakar Rally Stage 12 Race Chat

Join us for the Dakar Rally on Jan 15, 2009,right here and chat about the action during the 12th stage.Robby sits 5th in the overall standings,and will roll off second for stage 12.

Stage 12 - Thursday, January 15

Fiambala > La Rioja

Connection: 4 km | Special: 253 km | Connection: 261 km | Total: 518 km
As concerns crossings, the day’s special is a concentrate of technique. Various types of dunes will be encountered, including the very formidable “white dunes”. Just three days from arrival, this stage can scramble rankings, especially because the assistance vehicles will not have access to the Fiambala bivouac. The Golden Rule is still: “know how to economize your machine”.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Blues on January 15, 2009 at 1:14pm

eric v tows him in and then they try to fix it

Permalink Reply by Racingwench on January 15, 2009 at 1:17pm

thanks that makes me feel better. Now let's all hope Eric makes it thru

Permalink Reply by WJM on January 15, 2009 at 1:14pm

162 miles in first gear? Maybe he should wait for Eric and get a tow.

Permalink Reply by Jacob on January 15, 2009 at 1:16pm

Can he shift without the clutch like they do in NASCAR cars?

Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on January 15, 2009 at 1:27pm

Yes but a higher gear will completely toast the clutch.

Permalink Reply by alan4s on January 15, 2009 at 1:28pm

Sounds like it was really rough out there today!

Mark Miller (USA - Volkswagen) - 308 "I can tell you that this was a very demanding stage. I cannot even imagine how the amateurs will make it to the finish today. It was not just difficult, navigation was almost impossible. It was a long series of horror situations from start to finish. These were the longest 200km in my life. It’s not good news to know that Carlos had to withdraw. He has an important place in the team. We got ’tanked’ three times. The sun and the sand were so bright that I would not see anything. I thing it was the toughest stage I ever drove in my life."

Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on January 15, 2009 at 1:30pm

Vigger in 2hrs 20min back.

Permalink Reply by Timothy Wyant on January 15, 2009 at 1:33pm

Nice, Viggy's in! Now hook up that tow strap boys and get moving! Tell the support crew to start pounding the Monster's, they have a LOOOONG night ahead of them. Got a podium spot now boys, gotta keep it!

Permalink Reply by Racingwench on January 15, 2009 at 1:36pm

Yeppers, Going to be long night but it could be very worthwhile.
Back to the audio interviews you should listen to them all. They all are stating how bad it was.
I am going to head out now all. See you tomorrow. It has been fun.

Permalink Reply by bighead on January 15, 2009 at 1:38pm

Robby can now see the finish on the podium he will have at least 4 hours on the car behind him. So what should he do run hard as hell and chance a wreck, are be a little safe and be apart of history....

Permalink Reply by Timothy Wyant on January 15, 2009 at 1:43pm

There's no question, he needs to play it safe and make it to the finish. 3rd Place in what some are calling one of the toughest Dakar's ever is something to be proud of. Let the VDubs go race each other, and maybe we'll get lucky. But it would be a tragedy if we gifted a podium spot to Tollefson.

Permalink Reply by bighead on January 15, 2009 at 1:47pm

agree