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 natron008 on January 6, 2010 at 11:04am

good point, but that still can't stop those mechanical gremlins!

Permalink Reply by R. ALDRIDGE on January 6, 2010 at 11:05am

I was thinking that too, noone to push them to overheat or make a mistake.
Great minds think alike!

Permalink Reply by geothermaljones on January 6, 2010 at 11:01am

Kudo's to the engine tuners...
How'dya tune at Sea Level for a race that starts @5700' drops to CP1 @ 1400' goes up & down to a high point just past Km339 @ 9850' then all down hill to a finish @ 3300'. I can barely get it right here in the flatlands @ 1500'
I'm thinking it's another 15-20 min for the first to Km 339.

Permalink Reply by R. ALDRIDGE on January 6, 2010 at 11:02am

DV finally shows, 42 minutes down. Cue the music: ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST........

Permalink Reply by Bonamassa Fan on January 6, 2010 at 11:09am

He was already hours behind. Someone needs to cue the music for the top three VW's

Permalink Reply by R. ALDRIDGE on January 6, 2010 at 11:23am

10-4 on the VWs but another hour on DV is a good thing. Last year I think 4th place was 4 or 5 hours down. It's a long long road to BA

Permalink Reply by Saint Yukon on January 6, 2010 at 11:05am

16:43 - Car

305 - Miller in control and in the lead...
The first 9 cars have now passed km 244 of today’s special stage and it is still US driver Mark Miller (VW)
who has the best time with leads of respectively 1’18 and 5’40 on his team mates Spanish driver Carlos Sainz (VW) and Brazilian driver Mauricio Jose Névès (VW).

Permalink Reply by Saint Yukon on January 6, 2010 at 11:08am

Permalink Reply by Saint Yukon on January 6, 2010 at 11:11am

Permalink Reply by Brian Jenkins on January 6, 2010 at 11:16am

would be real nice if RG could somehow get the overall under 1 hr today

Permalink Reply by geothermaljones on January 6, 2010 at 11:16am

I've got to think RG is leading the train & Andy's been Nav'ng his butt off.
RG is running 6 Min off the pace set by Miller, the guy that started 10 mins behind.
Sainz & Al-Attiyah haven't over come their staggered starts either.
RG must be breathing some clean air.
These folks must be running door to door way out ther somewhere...
Km 339 will tell the tale.

Hat's off to anyone guiding & gunning the way through that.

Permalink Reply by R. ALDRIDGE on January 6, 2010 at 11:26am

RG has led all the way I think, Saintz may have passed him breifly but if he did RG got him back. Lots of clean air is good but pressure day for Andy. Gas on.