2013 Dakar Rally Prelude To Stage 1

We are now in the final days leading up until the start of the 2013 Dakar Rally here at PlanetRobby. This is the most anticipated rally in recent memory, with MANY subplots ( RG vs the mini's, the king of the energy drinks and the new "Nasser" buggy) and of course, the battle with Peterhensel. This is truly an US vs THEM battle for the ages. Those who have been here during the past Dakar Rallies, we plan on doing what we always have done: Making this a great 'getaway' and destination for all Robby Gordon and Dakar fans.

Looking at the Schedule, the scrutineering sets things in motion:

January 2,3 & 4th, 2013: The beaches of Lima

The site of the technical and administrative checks will be set up in the Magdalena District, where the South-American competitors will assemble on 2nd January in the afternoon. The “Dakar Village”, a meeting place for the competitors, the rally’s sponsors and the spectators, is next to the secure car park where the vehicles will be parked before the start.

Opening hours for the public:

01/02: 11am - 11p
01/03: 11am - 11pm
01/04: 10am - 4pm

5th January 2013: on stage in Chorrillos

Before setting off for the rally’s first special stage, the public will discover the 2013 Dakar’s competitors, on a podium set up on the beach in Chorrillos: the presentation will take place from 8am to 1.30pm.

Stage 1 runs from Lima to Pisco and has a VERY SHORT special section, only 13 km long.

We will have a thread for EACH stage of the rally, as well as the post race quotes, etc. Feel free to discuss your thoughts & predictions leading up to stage 1. Thanks for the support.

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Permalink Reply by Amar on December 31, 2012 at 10:35am

I hate to say this, but I feel like we are seeing less and less pictures and videos leading up to the start. I realize we just don't have the personnel to do all these. I can remember days from Monster.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on December 31, 2012 at 2:47pm

@Amar,it's a timing thing.In years past, tech would have already happened.This year it starts on Wed.
Where's all the Monster stuff from the weekend?

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Permalink Reply by TOG on December 31, 2012 at 2:55pm

Amar - Don't worry - this week will begin the overload of material. Can't produce photos/videos of events that haven't happened yet.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 1, 2013 at 10:04pm

as we grow closer,pic's are becoming available
http://www.planetrobby.com/photo

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Permalink Reply by Wally Meier on December 30, 2012 at 2:25am

In light of Peterhansels continued attack on Robbys integrity are we going to continue to try and maintain a level of civility? or is this going to be a "have at it boys and girls" type of rally?

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Permalink Reply by Tobin on December 30, 2012 at 8:08am

Me personaly, I think that nothing but positive (SPEED) energy will work best. Let Peckerneck create his own negitive waves!! GAS ON #315 leave them in your ROSTER TAILS

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Meyer on December 30, 2012 at 10:25am

From the rider sheet of Robby Gordon on the Entry list on dakar.com

http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2013/us/rider/315.html

Our Car will be the fastest

Robby Gordon will have revenge on his mind next January when he takes part in his 8th Dakar. Disqualified in 2012 due to the nonconformity of his Hummer, the « American rebel », as he likes to be referred as, seems to be even hungrier in his quest to win the Dakar. Because Gordon is a showman, both in his actions and his words. During his first Dakar in 2005, in a Volkswagen Race Touareg, he made history in becoming the first American to win a stage in the car class on the Dakar. He took another stage win and put in a spectacular barrel roll on his way to finishing 12th overall. He returned with a Hummer run by his own team. Since then the California native has alternated between brilliance and resounding failure, because Gordon rarely does anything half-measured. He finished 3rd in 2009 and was in the battle for the win last year before running afoul of the officials. The 43-year old Gordon, who believes he has the fastest car in the field, has just one thing in mind : victory and if possible humiliate his rivals ! For this 2013 edition, he will have Kellon Walch, who has a motorcycle stage win to his credit and who sat next to Gordon on the 2011 Dakar, as his co-driver.

R.G.: “My return to the Dakar is good for the show. Because the Dakar is more than anything else a big «show ». I advise all of our rivals to buckle up. Our car will be the fastest. I have had an excellent season. We won the 2012 Best in the Desert title (US Off-Road Championship). Our team won 22 races in all, which is excellent for confidence. We have sorted out our problems from the previous Dakar. Of course, the Dakar is always in the back of my mind. Thanks to our experience and our testing, we have a faster rand more reliable car. We are ready to take up the Dakar challenge. Concerning the new engine rules, I don't want to talk about the potential of the Minis. I don't know their car. I don't know anything about their engine. The buggies of Nasser Al Attiyah and Carlos Sainz? All I know is that they are really ugly. My four-year old son could design a better looking car. Anyway, the Dakar is still the ultimate challenge. I remember what Kris Nissen (former Volkswagen team manager), for whom I have a great deal of respect, told me. It takes five years to win the Dakar. That was when we began with the Hummer. He was right. So it is my turn with just a bit of a delay. I will have Kellon Walch by my side. He is a great guy. He navigated for the team all season. I am also thrilled that we will start in Peru. We could build up a good lead.”

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Permalink Reply by TOG on December 30, 2012 at 10:38am

"The buggies of Nasser Al Attiyah and Carlos Sainz? All I know is that they are really ugly. My four-year old son could design a better looking car."

best quote of the Rally thus far.

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Permalink Reply by redlinetech on December 30, 2012 at 1:19pm

Besides those things being real ugly, I think at least one of em will end up being disintegrated by the end of the 12km 1st stage. My road race bicycle seems to be fabricated better then those go-karts!