Robby Gordon responds to Peterhansel calling him a cheater

SPEED Energy Racing Transcript:

Robby Gordon talks about entering the 2013 Dakar Rally after one of his competitors makes a comment about him and his HUMMER

PETERHANSEL COMMENTING ON ROBBY GORDON ENTERING THE 2013 DAKAR RALLY:

“This is a cheater born, we are here to compete, not for show race, and this is not the circus, even if it pleased 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!”

PETERHANSEL IS NOT ONLY CALLING YOU A CHEATER BUT CALLING YOU A SHOWMAN RATHER THAN A RACER, HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

RG: I take that personal, the fact he is calling me a cheater or my team a cheater. We explained our system last year to A.S.O. at initial technical inspection and we did not change anything from that day of initial tech on our car until the day they saw our car, saying it wasn't legal. With all that said what Peterhansel needs to understand is this is the entertainment business and it is not just about racecars. If it was just about racecars we would all be driving diesel powered Mini’s and they would sound like a bunch of sewing machines.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT HIM TALKING ABOUT FIGHTING ON EQUAL TERMS?

RG: We are really excited to go to the Dakar, last year A.S.O. can say we were disqualified, but to be honest with you at the end of the day we finished 5th and it wasn’t worth fighting with them. So we'll accept whatever we have to accept, but in regards to Peterhansel and playing fair and square, we played by the rules A.S.O. told us we could play by last year and they came and inspected our cars for 2013 and we are ready for the challenge. Last year if you take out the stages I had to tow Al-Attiyah around we would have been easily ahead of Peterhansel at that point. This year our car is even better fine tuned, we’ve had more time to work on it. Even with the inflation disconnected last year, I want to remind Peterhansel that we beat him 10-15 minutes a day when we wanted to go. So he's going to have to tighten his seat belts and we are ready for the battle. There is STILL nothing Monster, about his Mini!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on December 6, 2012 at 9:21am

Not to mention a little blocking if i remember correctly.
This too is a violation of ASO rules is it not?
If a certain someone we all like to watch had punted peckerhansel he would not have gone off in the ravine.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Walton on December 6, 2012 at 8:56am

The real reason for Peterhansel's concerns, gripes, views, of Robby Gordon and the team: He's Scared! Was last year - still is.

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Lutz on December 6, 2012 at 9:35am

DAKAR "WAS" a European race. It's now a South American race with a name that doesn't make any sense given the local.

Over the last 50-60 years, the difference in European vehicles (vs. American) has been severe. The gap is closing with global platforms and models from some manufacturers. If you think about size, aspiration, fuel (diesel) the differences start to stack up.

The factory teams have tons of money invested and expect a return (wins) on that investment. It's human nature to want an "out" (if we didn't win, it's because someone cheated).

Personally, the differences in the vehicles is (for me) MOSTLY what makes Dakar interesting to watch. if there were 400 Minis competing - that wouldn't be as fun to watch. Everyone takes the same lines, same speed - it would be a parade.

Calling someone a cheater, when you know damn well they passed scrutineering is in poor form. RGs commetns are pretty "high road" considering SP's below the belt comment. I like to see that.

I never like to see an athlete brag up front about how well s/he is going to do.....let your performance talk for you and then, you never have to unwind and back-peddle.

I think the 2nd Hummer is important for parts, repairs, towing, etc. That's much of what makes these factory teams so competitive. Much like the Tour de France - the rest of the team is only there so the "captain" can win.

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Permalink Reply by Speed Freak 7 on December 6, 2012 at 9:36am

If memory serves me right, I do believe most of the Mini camp were all jockeying around to catch the show when RG did the podium jump!!!

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Permalink Reply by Team Maranello on December 6, 2012 at 9:56am

Oh, I hope Robby crushes him fair and square. If that does not, he should just crush him, that also works. What a punk.

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Permalink Reply by TOG on December 6, 2012 at 10:47am

I'm glad RG is taking this personally. It just adds even more daily excitement to the rally. He is fired up.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Horwath on December 6, 2012 at 11:08am

I think a nice pair of pink lips on the bumper would be cool! Anyone have any idea of what the cost is to run the other Hummer if a sponsor was to sponsor it?

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Permalink Reply by timothy price on December 6, 2012 at 11:01am

anyone have Peterhansel's address so i can send him a case of Depends and a pacifier

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Permalink Reply by redlinetech on December 6, 2012 at 11:27am

This is gonna be fun watching those femi socialists driving those government mandated mini cars being run over by the Hummer! Might as wel bump those Walmart Buggies outha the way!! Gas on! (Imbed Roaring V8)