Jan 6th 2010 Dakar Rally Stage 5 Race Info & Discussion

Join in and discuss all the action from Stage 5 of the 2010 Dakar Rally. Raceday chat will also be available throughout the entire 2010 Dakar Rally.

STAGE 5: Copiapo > Antofagasta

Connection 90 km | Special Stage 483 km | Connection 97 km | Total 670 km

Course Overview

The area has a reputation for its density in gold and copper mines. And that will be the theme of the hard day the competitors will witness on the road to Antofagasta, as demanding physically as it will be mentally. The open but rocky tracks of the first part of the day won't leave the slightest respite in terms of staying focused. And the off-road portions that follow will request solidity at all points of view: it is indeed here that the competitors will have to battle it out in the fesh-fesh, known on this continent as 'guadal'. At the end of this stage where changes in pace will be numerous; the notion of endurance will start to have its real significance. The less cautious will have already committed mistakes.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 6, 2010 at 10:19am

Or did DV hold him up that much?

Permalink Reply by R. ALDRIDGE on January 6, 2010 at 10:27am

DV is way back on course. Look at the start times. BTW DV is past due at checkpoint. That's a good thing.

Permalink Reply by alan4s on January 6, 2010 at 10:25am

Climbing in altitude. I'm guessing the thinner air and the restrictor is sapping power from the big V8. The turbo-diesels are affected less.

Permalink Reply by Bonamassa Fan on January 6, 2010 at 10:32am

BJ to km 244.0 +13.53 must be a rough section fot the Hummers.

Permalink Reply by ORG01 on January 6, 2010 at 11:31am

Hang on, what is this, 83 cars at the start but 84 have left. I don't get it, are some going that are DQ'ed like in Carlos running??

Permalink Reply by R. ALDRIDGE on January 6, 2010 at 10:49am

He' lost another 15 minutes! Must be limping. Do I see Vultures circling!

Permalink Reply by alan4s on January 6, 2010 at 10:53am

From Twitter:

tobymoody #Dakar. Peterhansel reportedly got propshaft problems. Lost 1 hr +. Trying to continue with 2WD.

No 4wd for the BMW, he'll be losing a lot of time today.

Permalink Reply by R. ALDRIDGE on January 6, 2010 at 10:59am

Thanks alan. I thought the only propshaft I had was on my Evinrude. I guess the F-150 and Escape have one too, huh?

Permalink Reply by Saint Yukon on January 6, 2010 at 10:47am

Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 6, 2010 at 10:53am

IF!!!!! T
The day was done nor Robby would be up to 4th overall it looks like.

Permalink Reply by natron008 on January 6, 2010 at 10:56am

Keep the good news coming boys!

Permalink Reply by kurt kern on January 6, 2010 at 11:00am

What really sucks now is that VW is in comand of the Rally with 3 cars all 1 hour ahead of 4 place (whoever). Peterhansel was keeping them honest and threatening their sweep of the podium. He was their "fly in the ointment" as the phrase goes. I suspect they will play a more conservative strategy. Just a thought.....