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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 Michael Martinez on
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This is the letter i fired off to the local rag (don't tell them I said that) anyway fix it up with your name and if you think you are smart or just an ass or a smart ass perhaps someone in the industry will cover it this year. I cleaned my nails for this effort I think last year they did not like the style (truth) in which I stated thier lack of coverage..............any way I'm trying maybe I can upgrade to a waterproof box before winter. Enjoy my dry side.
Hello Lisa,
I'm writing to you from Lakeview New York about a group of offroad racing events that are coming up, one of which in particular is of a very high standard, that being the Dakar Rally. This is a race that spans 4970 miles....yes that's four thousand nine hundred plus and covers over two weeks of racing from Jan. 5 to the 20th. Over 400 vehichles from over 50 countries. As a backdrop I'll give you just a few facts in hopes to convince you of the genuine interest readers will enjoy as the race unfolds as it is the biggest on the planet. The race was run from Spain down into Africa however in 2008 terrorist threats against the event forced the ASO (the same body that sanctions the Tourde' France) to relocate in South America. Some of those threats were perhaps directed at our own American entry Robby Gordon, who might have been the winner last year however the tire inflation system that allows him to raise and lower tire pressure from inside the cockpit while driving was deemed illegal. This came about after having been seen fit in prerace inspection. The entire episode of his entry was beyond belief and full of twists and turns such as the second vehicle in his stable that was driven by Nasser Al-Attiyah......whom after winning two stages dameged his Hummer and vacated to make his olympic trap shooting trials. This along with many other events made last years Dakar a great race to follow, TV coverage is on NBC/NBC Sports network so the public has a viable way to follow the event. The United States is mostly in the dark about certain things, the world of motorsports and the Dakar Rally is unfortunatly one of these. With little to no corporate sponsorship for an American entry a privateer, Robby Gordon looks to return for his 7th Dakar and having his inovative inflation system sanctioned this past summer has a very good chance to bring a Dakar championship to the United States. However the public needs a little help in discovering what those in the know consider the most difficult race in the history of our planet.
I'm asking that you would consider allowing me to write a prerace article on the rally, our American entry Robby Gordon and the rally updates perhaps. This is a subject worth the time and effort. Perhaps a small sample of what I have to offer and my style can get this "rolling" so to speak however I provide a link to a short video piece that might let you see the level of intensity that is Dakar and our home grown American entry Robby Gordon.....who by the way just won yet another championship to go along with his list of impressive acomplishments in the world of motorsports, the Best in the Desert BITD. Which was a culmination of points for all the races this past year. I look forward to your reply.
Michael Martinez
it was the stage 14 recap that I included but i scratched the link here Gas ON remember that one?????
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I hope shes blind to fact I mis-spelled damaged
that would be ironic.....
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Permalink Reply by J.R. Sands on
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Great news.....looks like support should be shipping soon. Time to load up and head south.
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Permalink Reply by Turtle7 on
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From the UK:
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/rally-raid-gordon-return-2013-da...Rival Stephane Peterhansel, a 10-times winner of the endurance rally - six times in the motorcycle class and four in a car - said Gordon was not welcome.
"This is a born cheat," he told AFP. "We're here to compete, not to show off; this is not the circus, even if it pleases the audience.
"We must fight on equal terms. Robby Gordon must comply with the rules. If this is the case, it is welcome. Otherwise... [not]."
Should we start EMailing Monster and tell them what we think of their boy who tried to run over a 'cyclist last year?
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Permalink Reply by mj on
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Sounds like someone's SCARED . Heaven forbid if Robby is actually given a fair shot . I mean Stephane might actually have to EARN a win instead of being handed it on a silver platter . I'm still not 100 % sure that Robby will be given that fair shot , but ill be watching . Just hope it doesn't blow up in his face again like last yr . Yes I know you all say Robby needs to be there and it's a great opportunity for SPEED advertising . I just can't see the point of racing it if he's gonna be handicapped from the start , but if the ASO is willing to finally let Robby really have a chance I'm all for it . GO ROBBY KICK SOME ASS ! and so the ASO can understand
Disparaissent le coup-de-pied de Robby un certain âne
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Permalink Reply by Wally Meier on
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Wow the born hit and run driver is feeling a little high and mighty....
I hear Peterhansel likes sunsets, thats a good thing, he'll be used to seeing the color orange out in front of him and disappearing on the horizon!
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Permalink Reply by Raymond Pankopf on
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it is amazing how small and petty peterhansel is...
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Permalink Reply by Kathy Kubara on
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Pencil neck
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Permalink Reply by WJM on
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"...a born cheat." That's a disappointment. With his success came a severe case of selective memory. Punting a biker into the creek? His team mate Roma being pulled from the sand by ASO officials..... Sad. I've lost a lot of respect for him.
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