Jan 13th, 2012 Dakar Rally Stage 12 Race Info & Discussion

Join in and discuss all the action from Stage 12 of the 2012 Dakar Rally. Robby Gordon finished 25th in stage 11 & is now down over 2 hours in the overall standings. Cars begin stage 12 at 11:35am/et Raceday chat will be available throughout the entire 2012 Dakar Rally. Raceday chat now works on the Ipad & Iphone.

STAGE 12 TRACKING

STAGE 12: Arequipa > Nasca

Connection 412km | Special Stage 245km | Total 657km

COURSE OVERVIEW

Only a flight over the region can allow the Nazca Lines, mysterious motifs created in the ground more than 2,000 years ago, to be admired. The route of the special stage creates another line on the map of Peru which looks like a sand dragon. Although the areas of dunes are evenly spread out, the competitors will definitely remember one of them, which made a deep impression on the reconnaissance team. The dunes follow one after another continuously for almost twenty kilometres, transporting the drivers to a new dimension. As the sand will remain firm in this string of dunes, it will help the drivers to cross them without too much difficulty. But the most skilled dune-crossers will nevertheless be able to create a surprise, in particular three days before the final finish. Those who remember how to perform the "Mauritanian swerve" can save some precious minutes.

STAGE BY STAGE RESULTS

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Permalink Reply by r bailey on January 13, 2012 at 2:04pm

who remembers ari vatinin's stolen victory?

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Permalink Reply by Drone637 on January 13, 2012 at 2:21pm

Have a link?

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Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 13, 2012 at 2:05pm

What claims will peterless make against Roma if Roma takes the win?
Will the ASO give a last minute penalty to Roma?

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Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 13, 2012 at 2:08pm

20:04 Cars: Now De Villiers is stuck in the sand…
Evidently, the finish at Nazca is proving to be merciless for the cars, even if the time lost is minimal for the moment. Giniel de Villiers is the latest driver to get stuck after 159 km, but has managed to keep going, losing only a few minutes.

20:00 Cars: Roma loses time
Now it is Nani Roma’s turn to be slowed down by the dunes. The Spaniard also got stuck in the sand for several minutes, but less than his team-mate Stephane Peterhansel. A handful of minutes at the most, but the end of the special stage is proving to be very demanding of the competitors in the car category.

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Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 13, 2012 at 2:12pm

20:08 Cars: Holowczyc in the danger zone Gordon surges on…
The Polish driver has now been slowed down by the critical sandy zone around the 159-km point of the special. Meanwhile, Robby Gordon, who was the twenty-second to start the special this morning, is already getting to grips with this section. Perhaps he will be the main beneficiary of the situation at the finishing line of the special stage…

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Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 13, 2012 at 2:14pm

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Permalink Reply by shawn on January 13, 2012 at 2:16pm

hell yeah for ground clearance. go robby. minutes add up.

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Permalink Reply by Drone637 on January 13, 2012 at 2:22pm

The mid-engine and 37" tires probably help as well. :D

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Permalink Reply by Wess McCoy on January 13, 2012 at 3:56pm

It's not Mid engine.. it's a buggy, engine's in the rear...

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Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 13, 2012 at 2:17pm

20:13 Cars: More problems for Holowczyc
The Polish driver has again ground to a halt in the dunes at Nazca and has been at a standstill for 20 minutes, stuck in the sand 35 kilometres from the finishing line.