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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Permalink Reply by roger anderson on December 5, 2012 at 12:28pm

The news we've all been waiting for, Robby is back again!

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Permalink Reply by mj on December 5, 2012 at 12:32pm

Really like the fact Robby made them PRE inspect everything before hand but didn't they look at it last yr too . Glad Robby is running it and ill stand behind him and root for him all the way . Just hope Robby gets a fair deal and doesn't get screwed over again like last yr . Might I add

KICK ASS ROBBY !!!!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Team Maranello on December 5, 2012 at 12:37pm

MJ, If Robby pulls away from the field, Girls at mini will lodge a complaint with ASO that Robby's BALLS are too large to be deemed legal.

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Permalink Reply by Davin Wilson on December 5, 2012 at 12:38pm

For FUN - You know this topic isn’t going away!
Optional 2nd Hummer drivers: Who has the $$, Cojones & wants the exposure

1) Clyde S ($ but hurt)
2) Justin Lofton ($ ?)
3) Juan Carlos ($ ?)
4) Jeff Geiser ($ ?)
5) BJ (Monster conflict?)
6) Mark M (Red Bull conflict?)
7) Travis P (Red Bull conflict?)
8) Ken B (Monster conflict? Has $$, Rally experience)
9) Andy Grider ($ ?)
10) Mike or Mark Jenkins (have $ + Traxxas)
11) Rickey Johnson (Red Bull conflict?)
12) Rob MacCachren (RockStar conflict?)
13) Greg Adler ($ + 4Wheel Parts)
14) Petter Solberg (has $$, Rally experience)
15) Kimi Räikkönen (has $$, Rally experience)
16) Marcus Grönholm ($ ?)
17) Tanner Foust (RockStar conflict?)
18) Rhys Millen (Red Bull conflict?)
19) Brian Deegan (RockStar conflict?)

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Meyer on December 5, 2012 at 12:49pm

They put Nasser in the Hummer last year and he is a Red Bull driver... they just wouldn't put an Energy Drink on the second Hummer. That said, I'd like to see Speed Energy on both rides! Forgot about Kimi, didn't RG visit Austin when F-1 was in town last month?

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Permalink Reply by Turtle7 on December 5, 2012 at 1:38pm

Kimi made enough money last year in F! to sponser both Hummers!

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Permalink Reply by Team Maranello on December 5, 2012 at 1:42pm

I dont know how Renault feels about Kimi Rallying in off season after what happened to Kubica.

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Permalink Reply by mj on December 5, 2012 at 12:54pm

Cool list Davin lots of great picks if I had to choose I'd go with Kimi , Marcus or Rhys .

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Permalink Reply by Tooltime on December 5, 2012 at 12:57pm

@Davin, just remember, the biggest most important thing especially with only a couple of cars is this; Whom ever gets the call will not be the fastest driver out there. But, it will be a driver/navigator team who 100% fully understands their specific role as a support type of role. Not to mention,if it were me, and i certainly bet RGM has thought of the same thing. And that is, the 2nd car would not only be a good driver/navi combo, but also a combo deep in the mechanical, operational aspects of the two cars. Know what Im saying?
Remember BJ hauling the mail, and getting in trouble a few times. Also Nasser trying to fly without wings, and the European driver. His name escapes me right now. But he apparently was a bit rusty driving a high hp manual gearbox car, thus destroying the clutch a time or two if memory serves. There are some really good choices up there!