Now, who do we think could also be a Qualified Dakar Driver?

At the End of Dakar last season there was a huge discussion on who all the Planet members could or could not hack the Dakar. The Physical and Mental endurance to race the longest and hardest race in the World. Now, that we've had three of America's Best Desert racers once again give it a go the trophy is still not in America. BJ and Robby are both SCORE Champs and Mark Miller is Baja 500 and 1000 winner. So, with this on the Table what driver from what type of racing do we now think can Endure the DAKAR????

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Permalink Reply by pdxracefan on January 16, 2010 at 11:19pm

IMHO, there is NOONE in NASCAR who could compete at the level of the Dakar Rally, wherever it would be held. First, most of them have no experience. Okay, there are those that would argue the JJ has desert experience (minimal at best). Greg Biffle is a good candidate, but again, no experience outside of the ovals. Who else? Casey Mears? Yes he spent time in the desert courtesy of of his dad and his uncle, but again no track record/experience-been concentrating on NASCAR. You see boys and girls, the list is pretty short.

My pick would be for a wily old guy like John Buffum. Age, wisdom and experience trumps youth every time.

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Permalink Reply by GrayAntiMatter on January 16, 2010 at 11:49pm

Yes, because if you weren't raised racing off road, you have no prayer at the Dakar. Just ask Luc Alphand!!!!

But it's okay, because when he retired from downhill skiing and went to motor sports, he went straight to off road, right? European Le Mans and FIA GT are off road series, right? Right?

I never get tired of people here acting like off road racing is the end all be all measure of driving talent and it would be impossible for a race car driver to ever come from another discipline to succeed off road.

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Permalink Reply by pdxracefan on January 17, 2010 at 12:11am

Gray,

I don't disagree with with you out of hand, but, you have to admit that offroad driving talent takes just that, diving talent. All the good rally drivers have for the most part done quite well in the Dakar. All the way from Ickx to Vatanen, given good machinery.

All I'm suggesting is that Robby reach out and look for someone who has experience in this kind of stuff, learn and grow and benefit from that experience. He's abit long in the touth, but you can't look much farther than JB for that, can you? Look at what Jackie and Ari did after they retired from rallying. Pretty well I think. Also consider Walter R. OMG!

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Permalink Reply by GrayAntiMatter on January 17, 2010 at 3:01am

I just took the thread as a question of who could, if they were interested/willing, could be a legitimate participant in the race.

If RG were looking to add an additional American driver to the lineup, of course you'd look for someone with off road experience first. And RG will look to what he knows, SCORE/BITD.

There is really no denying the success that rally drivers have had in the move to rally-raid. Just too similar. And age doesn't seem to be a huge issue, Carlos Sainz isn't a spring chicken....

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Permalink Reply by Curt on January 18, 2010 at 2:44am

I think another factor in a driver in this race(as well as Baja) is the ability to know and fix the car your driving. That would eliminate a bunch of drivers in Nascar and off road as well.