Is Carlo de Gavardo going to drive a Hummer for RGM?

http://www.dakar.com/2010/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art28202

“I’m impressed by the Hummer”

Carlo de Gavardo continues his conversion. The Chilean rider, famous for his fine performances on a bike on The Dakar (3rd in 2000) has started a new career by switching to four wheels last year. Managing a fine start to the Dakar, he however was forced to quit during stage 9. For this 32nd edition that will be hosted, for a great part, on Chilean soil, Carlo is about to take off behind the steering wheel of a Hummer: “Robby Gordon contacted me and asked me to be part of the team. I went to Arizona for a week of tests and I’m really impressed by the power and the reliability of the car. The project of competing in a vehicle with such potential is a great thing: the Dakar is a great event and having a Hummer baring the colours of my country that I will drive will allow to celebrate in fine style the bicentenary of Chile”. Carlo de Gavardo, a glorious sportsman in his country is now working on the final details to be able to compete in a Hummer. His ambassador’s job is at stake.

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There's got to be more to this deal.. 2nd or 3rd Hummer maybe?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Green4x4 on November 24, 2009 at 7:56pm

so with the Eliseos deal falling through who will be the sponsor or the 3rd hummer with Carlo?

Permalink Reply by alan4s on November 24, 2009 at 9:05pm

In the practice videos the car had Monster and the flag of Chile. Probably more coming in time for the race, I'd guess.

Permalink Reply by Terie (aka vassinvegas) on November 25, 2009 at 1:35am

Chilean flag? can't really call it Team USA can we?

Permalink Reply by TOG on November 25, 2009 at 1:52am

sure you can. The raceteam is based out of the USA.

Permalink Reply by MerlotMax on November 25, 2009 at 6:22pm

Good luck Team Hummer. Having a local driver should bring a lot more exposure for the team and sponsers, a good move if you ask me. Too bad Eric won't be behind the wheel, he did a great job last year. I look forward to following all three!

Permalink Reply by Capt. Allen "Pez Loco" on November 27, 2009 at 12:54pm

Just like our Fishing Boats, we fly American and Mexican flags. One is Loyalty and one is Respect.

Permalink Reply by NIKAL on November 28, 2009 at 10:08pm

This was posted on RDC. The guy that wrote this has done the Dakar and Baja on bikes. He also organizes a Dakar Navigation Training and most US teams have participated in prior to the Dakar rally.

A couple of weeks ago we held our annual rally navigation training and practice event just outside of Vegas. Ronn was invited, and he said he would come. As the date approached I emailed him to see if he really was coming, since I would have to make special roadbooks just for him since cars would have to go around the narrow bike only sections. He never responded, and did not show up. This was pretty much right in his back yard, so it wasn't like he would have to drive far to attend. I'm not sure what this says about his desire to drive the Hummer in Dakar.

Jonah Street will be training out there in a couple of days, with some specially prepared roadbooks.

Permalink Reply by Green4x4 on November 29, 2009 at 9:11pm

that is sad. the dakar is one of the most prestigious racing events in the world. it is an arena where the best drivers in the world come to show off their tallents. this gives the impression than anyone with enough money can go out and play, for the number two team none the less. i know it is his money and he gets to choose the driver, but there are so many talented drivers out there deserving of a ride. Ronn would be much smarter to put someone in the hummer that has a chance at a podium finish. Eric showed he can drive last year as did BJ in europe.

and thats all i have to say about that!

Permalink Reply by Bricoop on December 6, 2009 at 4:54pm

An Onboard from the test.

Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on December 7, 2009 at 3:14pm

Well Well Well... Three cars for Hummer.... That lots of extra parts and support for Robby... Sweet!

There always has been and always will be downtime for EVERY entry in Dakar. With 2 cars coming up RG's rear every stage recovery should be quite fast. Much faster then a T-4 a few hours back. After stage 2 RG should have the pecking order established for Hummers 2 and 3. Hummer 2 and 3 support RG and Hummer 3 supports Hummer 2. Basically if RG needs parts the first Hummer on scene barfs up the parts and Hummer 3 barfs his parts up to Hummer 2 then the T-4 Crew cleans up the mess long after RG crosses the finish line for the days stage. You always have to pick your horse in Dakar and throw everything you got at it. That is how you win..... Quicker Recovery

Permalink Reply by Team Maranello on December 9, 2009 at 10:43am

I smell fear. VW are the hunted. A snippet from the VW sporting directors interview.

You mentioned the expectations placed on the team by the public. Are these a burden or additional motivation?

"Already in 2009 many outsiders expected Volkswagen to win, and following the dominant one-two the same people are saying this year that anything other than a Volkswagen victory would be a surprise. I can only answer that it will be harder than ever before to win the rally in 2010. The sporting challenge is enormous against the X-raid-BMW and Robby Gordon's Hummer which were already our toughest opponents in 2009. Our competitors have, like us, improved, have a better driver line-up and have sorted out possible problems during their preparations. For these reasons I'm convinced that victory in 2010 will be even harder to come by than in 2009. However, we enter the race with plenty of confidence because we are extremely well prepared to master the challenges thrown up by the 'Dakar'."

Permalink Reply by Ryan Plowman on December 9, 2009 at 4:27pm

As of last Friday the 3rd Hummer was being wrapped up. It is a converted Alpha Class 1 car that has a possibility of being fielded under the RGM banner next year running for the SCORE Class 1 Championship.