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Robby Gordon To Compete In the 2013 Dakar Rally
Charlotte, N.C. (December 4, 2012) – With no desert too large and no mountain too tall, the SPEED Energy HUMMER on victory proven Toyo Tires will once again attempt to conquer the world’s most famous off-road event. The custom-built Dakar HUMMER driven by Robby Gordon and navigator Kellon Walch will tackle more than 8000 Km / 4970 Mi from Peru through Argentina and ending in Santiago, Chile making it the ultimate off-road adventure; the 35th Annual Dakar Rally.
Registration discussions between A.S.O and Team Gordon began back in the early summer months in preparation for the 2013 Dakar Rally, and on December 2 registration for the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires / MAPEI HUMMER became official. The A.S.O and the team agreed on a pre-check inspection of the Dakar HUMMER prior to being approved to race. Once the detailed inspection of the Dakar HUMMER and its air-inflation system by A.S.O. officials, the team was approved to officially race the 2013 Dakar Rally.
“I am excited to go back to race the prestigious Dakar Rally and show the world that we are ready to give it our best shot once again at an overall victory. Obviously our cars are good enough to compete for the win. Last year we had the fastest cars at the rally and led the most check points with the fastest times, with five wins as a team, two wins with the second HUMMER (which was also approved and is available to compete) and three wins for myself. It is now time for us to go back and capitalize on what we developed and worked on over the last seven years to put ourselves in position to compete for the overall win. “
For the first time in its history, the Dakar Rally will begin in Lima, Peru, sending upwards of 460 vehicles from 53 countries on a two-week, 14-stage endurance race through 3 Western South American countries, ultimately finishing in the Chilean capital of Santiago. This year’s Dakar will begin on January 5 and will travel on a new course featuring sections not seen to racing since the moving of the Dakar to South America in 2009, marking the most difficult course to date.
Gordon will be joined in the cockpit by his navigator, Kellon Walch, who served as team navigator for B.J. Baldwin in 2010 and for Gordon in 2011. Walch looks to bring back the experience and chemistry gained as the team’s navigator in previous rally races along with the focus and drive needed to guide the vehicle through the challenging navigation obstacles that Gordon will face.
The various aspects of Peru’s natural features will put a real test to the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires / MAPEI Dakar HUMMER in the early stages of the rally as Gordon will face gigantic dunes and rugged terrain requiring precise focus and skill to gain an early advantage. Entering Chile will set the stage for a fast pace duel through the desert before crossing the Andes Mountains into Argentina where record altitude and temperature will become a crucial factor for driver and navigator.
After a much needed day of rest on the eighth day, the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires team will set out for the longest and most technical stage of the Rally navigating through the narrow twists and turns of the forest. The rapid assistance vehicles will not have access to this stage, requiring precise driving to be a must. Entering Chile for the final stages of the Rally will once again bring dunes into the equation, testing the driver’s fatigue and equipment to the finish in Santiago.
Once reaching the Chilean capital, the small percent of the drivers who finish the 2013 Dakar Rally will partake in a short show course offering spectators and fans the chance to cheer on the new heroes who have successfully conquered the 2013 Dakar Rally. The following day the accomplishment of each of the drivers will be recognized with an elaborate ceremony planned on the Plaza de la Constituciόn.
To follow Gordon and the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires team as they try to rise above the competition at the legendary Dakar Rally, log onto www.speedenergy.com and www.toyotires.com for race team updates. Fans can also participate in the Dakar Rally experience by connecting on http://www.planetrobby.com and follow along with the team on Facebook and Twitter at: www.facebook.com/thespeedenergydrink, and www.facebook.com/toyotires, http://twitter.com/SPEED_ENERGY, http://twitter.com/ToyoTires.
Daily highlights from each stage can be viewed on the NBC Sports Network (DIRECTV Channel 220 / Dish Network Channel 159 / AT&T U-Verse Channel 1640 / Verizon FiOS Channel 590) January 5th – the 20th. Please check your local listings for times & schedules on the NBC Sports Network.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by ALEXANDER GAVILAN on
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Que vacano!!! sera una gran competencia y una gran lucha por el titulo 2013..
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Permalink Reply by Ed Fifield on
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Wasn't there talk at one time of Clyde Stacey and RPM being involved in the second Hummer for DAKAR? From the results of BITD it seems like those two are a great pairing. Is this still an option for the second Hummer? Either way, this is great news for Robby and all involved.
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Permalink Reply by bighead on
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I do not have anything planned, plus I have a little vacation time saved up, and my passport is good until 2015..So if Robby calls I can't see telling him no...Just have to get permission from the wife.........
and I have been called a Rebel every once in a while if you know what I mean...
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Permalink Reply by Ramon Rivera Jr. on
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Hell Yes!!!
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Permalink Reply by Crandaddy on
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This is great news, GO ROBBY, now we have a reason to watch!
But you gotta have a water carrier. The big question is who? Baldwin, Miller, Skelton?
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Permalink Reply by Chupakabras on
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Finally the nightmare is over, thks RG for waking me up,. glad your in.God bless you man.
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Permalink Reply by Davin Wilson on
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I’m just stoked that RG is going back – with luck & good preparation this is his race.
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Permalink Reply by Mark R on
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Dakar is fun but its a major money taker. i think RG should have pulled out for a few years and developed a diesel awd vehicle. The amount of sand in this rally I feel will hurt many competitors other than the best funded awd factory teams. RG had a good recipe last year with his navigator to bad hes not back again. (Sorry im terrible with names)
good luck RGM i'll be following it all the way.
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Permalink Reply by Don Brown on
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That was Johnny Campbell.
He'll be racing on two wheels this go-round.
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Permalink Reply by Tooltime on
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@Mark, yes, DAKAR is a costly endeaver. However, lets not forget the bigger picture here. RGM is a business selling a dam good product by competing in a dam good product! Although costly, RG im sure is looking at this event not only as a highly motivated racer, team owner, and business owner trying to sell the product. No SPEED logos, means less of a potential to expose the product, create revenue, jobs in the USA, and a secure racing career.
RG is also one of the few Americans who have entered the event this year it appears. Robby was the first American to win a stage during this grueling event. The dedication by the crew is simply amazing.The construction, support and technology in RGM's cars is just incredible.His off road cars work, and work well.
To sum it all up; Costly yes,excitement factor a 10, grueling yes,dedication by all with RGM yes,potential to achieve global product exposure and sell the same to all, priceless! Thank you for reading my man.
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