Jan 3rd, 2011 Dakar Rally Stage 2 Race Info & Discussion

Join in and discuss all the action from Stage 2 of the 2011 Dakar Rally.Robby Gordon will start 8th & Eliseo Salazar will start 28th. Raceday chat will also be available throughout the entire 2011 Dakar Rally.

STAGE 2 TRACKING

STAGE 2: Cordoba > San Miguel de Tucuman

Connection 440km | Special Stage 324km | Total 764km

COURSE OVERVIEW

For this stage entirely covering new ground, the competitors’ compass bearings will be set to the north, leading the rally into a backdrop of forest which will remind some observers of bush landscapes. During part of the day, the bikes and quads will again be separated from the cars and trucks. The acrobats on two wheels will have a field day on an old track where jumps are plentiful and sometimes spectacular. In the cockpits of the cars, the drivers can also expect a bumpy ride: endless hops and bounds as well as blind corners will be on the menu.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by yano on January 3, 2011 at 4:32pm

well , there is 8000 kms to be swallowed by the other guys and robby too .

as good a he is , he doesn't have the army crew like bmw or VW ....

he sure can can show them his tenacity and driving skills .....

and dakar rally has always plenty of surprises for every body .....

from day one to finish line . that's why it's such a great race .

Permalink Reply by Dave Shaw on January 3, 2011 at 4:31pm

wp9

327	SALAZAR (CHL), LA ROZA (USA)	HUMMER	007:34:57	04:33:17	00:00:00

Permalink Reply by Mark Reeves on January 3, 2011 at 4:43pm

Long way to go yet. Everyone keep cool and calm. Better stages ahead.

Permalink Reply by BMD on January 3, 2011 at 4:51pm

http://www.sbs.com.au/dakar/. This site was posted the other day and seems to get the days stage video posted the same day, bikes already waiting on the cars. Plus has RG at the header to today.

Permalink Reply by Christopher Lutz on January 3, 2011 at 7:53pm

RE: 4wd - this subject came up last year. The 4wd cars have an obvious advantage; however, that advantage carries a steep price premium. I can't remember how many millions it took per VW - RG had a comment or two on it.

More to go wrong, much more expensive to run, many more parts.

The bigger question is whether the "gives" ASO has for the 2wd's (tire inflation control) put the 2wd machines on par with the 4wd. Right now, it doesn't look like it - but, it's a long, long race.

47 minutes down is hardly cause for major concern at this point - the announcer is very premature in mentioning that. Anyone can lose an hour to a mechanical issue or a slight mistake (similar to Rob's today)

It's cool to see the fans helping out - so very different from Nascar, IRL, Indycar, etc.

Permalink Reply by Blues on January 3, 2011 at 8:45pm

I'm with you Chris, the game is definitely not over. There's a good chance Robby will have some really good days ahead. And no ones knows about benefit of ASO's 'equalizers' better than Robby.

Permalink Reply by Miffles on January 3, 2011 at 8:52pm

Its almost a given that even the strongest teams will experience a time-eating incident of one sort or another. Its early and there is a long way to go. Today's problem will just get Robby's grit up. And you know that Salazar will get it gathered up and do just fine as well.

Permalink Reply by Short Bus on January 4, 2011 at 12:24am

RG can't make a better VW than VW. If he decides to go 4wd, he will be at a significant disadvantage from a financial point of view as VW (and the psuedo-factory X-Raid BMWs) spend huge amounts of money to build, test, and support their cars. I don't think there is any question that Robby would have a second rate 4wd car compared to VW/BMW. I think his best chance is to stay 2wd. He is disadvantaged in certain stages, but his gamble is that the 2wd rules give him definite advantages when they get off the roads. Again, he isn't going to beat them at their own game.

It's not like he can just add a front diff to his current Hummer and call it a day either. The 4wd rules limit wheel travel to 10 inches, instead of the 20+ he has now. I believe 4wd is also limited to a 31" tire.

I do think he could benefit from a turbo diesel engine. At sea level, apparantly he is close in power, but he looses a lot of power at elevation and a lot of this race is at elevation.

Robby's best future strategy may be to lobby the ASO to change the rules to help the 2wd cars more. Unfortunately the organization is probably in Veedubs pocket with all the money they spend.

Permalink Reply by pdxracefan on January 4, 2011 at 12:47am

Good points SB, and I agree. RG has what he has this year and it is what it is. Everyone get used to it. It's what RG is using to win the the race; okay? It is a very long race, with the stages being very diifferent from the one before, or after. RG has a good package overall, so let's not panic so early in the race, ok? It's 9000 K's, let's remember. Anything can happen. People, you need to chill, and believe in Robby.

Permalink Reply by Adam G on January 3, 2011 at 9:52pm

Speed energy needs that fiat it's bad ass

Permalink Reply by IndyTim on January 3, 2011 at 10:11pm

If you think about it...All Robby needs is 4 or 5 teams to run inot issues like he had today and you go from Podium thoughts to winning thoughts.........Miller jacked his car today so 1 down TRobby is about on par with him.......ANYTHING can happen and the chances of the other guys having an issue or two is pretty damn good considering this is Dakar....The only thing that really sucks (other than RG luck......that was probably the only rock that size within 5 square miles) is that RG used his Mulligan on hole 2.....if he brings his A game for the next 6 or 7 stages with no Hour long issues...he is right back in it for the victory...this aint his first rodeo driving himself out of a hole and I think most around here will agree...he drives his best when in this position...... SO GAS THE MOFO ON!!!!!!!!!!!

Permalink Reply by Wheel on January 3, 2011 at 10:23pm