Robby Gordon Eliseo Salazar officially joined his team for the Dakar: "It is better pilot Carlo de Gavardo"

The Art Gallery of the CCU, the main trading partner Eliseo Salazar, was the venue for the official presentation of the Chilean pilot and member of Robby Gordon Motorsports. "I chose Eliseo because it is an important figure in the Chilean market," admitted the American pilot and owner of the Hummer that will compete in the Dakar.

Both Salazar and Gordon tried to close the dispute with Carlo de Gavardo, who told La Tercera that the U.S. had made "the silver business in Chile." "Effectively this is a business. I have nothing against Carlo, he tested the car very well for three days last year, but struggled with the clutch in the race and left. Shit happens (something like 'bad luck happens'). It is normal after drivers complain about the preparation of the cars, that's racing, "Gordon said. For his part, Salazar said that "we are passionate athletes and issue comments disproportionate. Better forget about it." Similarly, when asked about the skills of each driver, the U.S. said: "Eliseo is a better pilot than Carlo. He has more experience."

Hummers have high expectations for the race that long on Saturday, as expected Salazar getting top 30 and aims Gordon, right, to victory. "We improved the car in many ways. This year, Volkswagen us out ahead five kilometers per hour. Now we can match us. In 2011 I think we can win," he said.

Original article:

http://diario.latercera.com/2010/12/29/01/contenido/deportes/4-54617-9-robby-gordon-integra-oficialmente-a-eliseo-salazar-a-su-equipo-para-el-dakar-es.shtml

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Permalink Reply by rpmscott on December 29, 2010 at 9:44am

Ok I'm lost! Is Salazar the driver of the 2nd Hummer

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Permalink Reply by TOG on December 29, 2010 at 9:46am

yes

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Permalink Reply by rpmscott on December 29, 2010 at 9:57am

thanks

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Permalink Reply by Dave-O on December 29, 2010 at 10:02am

thanks for the translation!

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Permalink Reply by John Fletcher on December 29, 2010 at 10:06am

I am surprised. what is salazar experience other than the open wheel time. I never knew he has off road experience. So they aim to get 2nd hummer in top 30? thats all and how is that suppose to support and help Robby win the Dakar?

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Permalink Reply by TOG on December 29, 2010 at 10:14am

Hummer 2 is support for Hummer 1 ..

go to the team chile group & check out the Eliseo Salazar video player. Homeslice has forgotten more about racing than most of us know.

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Permalink Reply by zoomsss on December 30, 2010 at 5:36pm

Without having a support "race" vehicle this year I wasn't overly excited about Robby's chances this year, but in reading TOYO TIRE blog there's increased hope... not sure what "following" 3 hours behind on regular roads will do for help on course though?

The first rig will always arrive to the specials (stages) to set up and prepare the pit. The second rig will follow the hummers roughly three hours behind providing support, if necessary.

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Permalink Reply by 7gason7 on December 29, 2010 at 12:13pm

John, If you think Eliseo is the Ronn Bailey of Chile think again. For his resume check out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliseo_Salazar

He has been rallying in the Chilean Rally Championship. My understanding is they will be using some of the same course.

Chilean Rally Championship (Rally Mobil)

Year	Car	Class	Standing	Points
2004	Hyundai Coupe GK	N3	8th	30
2005	Hyundai Coupe GK	N3	5th	49
2006	Hyundai Coupe GK	N3	4th	70
2007	Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX	N4	5th	53

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Permalink Reply by Lance on December 29, 2010 at 1:11pm

Salazaar has been rally racing for near a decade now and has participated in the the Dakar rally once or twice before this year.

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Permalink Reply by Gerardo on December 29, 2010 at 7:49pm

Who said "experience"?

1978 Formula 4 Argentina / Avante-Renault
1979 Formula 3 Inglesa / Ralt-Toyota
1980 Formula 1 / Williams-Ford Cosworth
1981 Formula 1 / March-Ford Cosworth
1981 Formula 1 / Ensing-Ford Cosworth
1982 Formula 1 / ATS-Ford Cosworth
1982 Mundial de Endurance / Dome-Ford Cosworth
1983 Formula 1 / RAM-Ford Cosworth
1983 Mundial de Endurance / Dome-Ford Cosworth
1984 Formula 2 Codasur / Berta-Volkswagen
1984 Campeonato Chileno de Rally / Toyota Celica 2.0
1985 Formula 2 Codasur / Muffato-Passat
1985 Formula 2 Codasur / Berta-Volkswagen
1985 Campeonato Chileno de Rally / Toyota Celica 2.0
1986 Formula 3000 / RAM-Ford Cosworth
1986 Formula 3000 / Lola-Ford Cosworth
1987 Formula 3000 / Ralt-Ford Cosworth
1987 Formula 3000 / March-Ford Cosworth
1987 Formula 3000 / March-Ford Cosworth
1988 Sport Prototipos / Spice-Ford Cosworth
1989 Sport Prototipos / Spice-Ford Cosworth
1989 Sport Prototipos / Jaguar
1990 Sport Prototipos / Spice-Ford Cosworth
1990 Sport Prototipos / Jaguar
1994 IMSA WSC / Ferrari 333 SP
1994 IMSA WSC / Ferrari 333 SP
1995 Indycar / Lola-Ford Cosworth
1996 Indy Racing League / Lola-Ford Cosworth
1996 CART / Lola-Ford Cosworth
1996 IMSA WSC / Ferrari 333 SP
1997 Indy Racing League / Dallara-Oldsmobile
1997 IMSA WSC / Ferrari 333 SP
1997 Sports Car (Le Mans) / BRM-Nissan
1997 Nascar Craftsman Trucks / Chevrolet
1998 Professional Sports Car / Riley&Scott-Oldsmobile
1998 Indy Racing League / Riley&Scott-Oldsmobile
1999 Professional Sports Car / Riley&Scott-Ford
1999 Indy Racing League / GForce-Oldsmobile
2000 Indy Racing League / GForce-Oldsmobile
2001 Indy Racing League / Dallara-Oldsmobile
2002 Indy Racing League / Dallara-Chevrolet
2003 American Le Mans Series / Porsche 911
2003 American Le Mans Series / Ferrari 360 Modena
2004 Campeonato Rally Mobil Chile / Hyundai Coupe GK
2004 TC2000 Argentina / Renault Megane
2005 Campeonato Rally Mobil Chile / Hyundai Coupe GK
2006 Campeonato Rally Mobil Chile / Hyundai Coupe GK
2006 GP Masters / Delta-Mecachrome
2007 Campeonato Rally Mobil Chile / Mitsubishi Evolution VIII
2007 Campeonato Rally Mobil Chile / Mitsubishi Evolution VIII
2007 Campeonato Rally Mobil Chile / Mitsubishi Evolution IX