Jan 9th, 2013 Dakar Rally Stage 5 Race Info & Discussion

Join in and discuss all the action from Stage 5 of the 2013 Dakar Rally. Robby Gordon looks to rebound after rolling the Hummer is stage 4. Gordon is now down over 5 hours in the overall and will try to win as many of the remaining stages as he can. The cars are slated to begin the special section of stage 4 at 11:25am/et and Robby Gordon will begin his special section around 12:30pm/et. Raceday chat will be available throughout the entire 2013 Dakar Rally. Raceday chat now works on the Ipad & Iphone.

2013 Photos

STAGE 5 TRACKING

STAGE 5: AREQUIPA > ARICA

Connection 337km | Special Stage 172km | Total 509km

COURSE OVERVIEW

A relatively late start will allow the slowest competitors to make up for time lost the day before, as well as to cope with the time change which has been scheduled. For this transition stage which will see the rally enter Chile, the contrast will be visible both in terms of the variety of scenery and the average speeds recorded at the finish. The tracks taken by the motorcyclists will take their toll on their arms: the environment is favourable to attacks, but the stony sections and the rivers to be crossed in some areas will curb their enthusiasm. Those in four-wheeled vehicles will also criss cross between the first reliefs, from valley to valley, with the eyes of the navigators glued to the road book.

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Permalink Reply by TOG on January 9, 2013 at 11:06am

Live chat goes around noon

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Permalink Reply by Ken on January 9, 2013 at 11:16am

From Jayski:Gordon was disappointed in his luck afterwards, "I'm fine.... I mean it was nothing. Not a big crash at all. We crashed at KM35 into a 288KM Special. We went over a dune that was about 8-feet high, and on the other side it went straight down, damaging the radiators and laying the HUMMER on its back. The HUMMER is fine; the suspension did not take a hit. I did not want to take a chance hurting the motor any, so we had to wait for two different assistance trucks which took hours. It is unfortunate and disappointing to not be racing for the overall now, but the good thing is we are still here and willing to fight for stage wins." The team will now work late into the night; diagnosing and working on the bodywork of the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires / MAPEI HUMMER preparing it for tomorrow's stage heading into Chile.(Speed Energy)(1-9-2012)

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Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 9, 2013 at 11:23am

I bet there has never been a moment when Robby wished he had 4WD more than that split second he was going up on the nose yesterday.

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Permalink Reply by RJS7 on January 9, 2013 at 11:26am

Dont see how 4wd helps when your vertical plantedf on you nose.

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Permalink Reply by Billy on January 9, 2013 at 12:41pm

From my experience the front wheels driving can sometimes set the rear back down but probably not on that angle. ( Yea, like we are gonna make suggestions on how Robby drives).

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 9, 2013 at 11:32am

maybe on stage 1,but how would that have helped yesterday?

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Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 9, 2013 at 11:35am

At that split second when he was going up a touch of the throtle would pull you right back down.

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Permalink Reply by FD REBEL on January 9, 2013 at 11:46am

Your right, depending on the approach angle he could have jabbed the go button (well timed of course) and pulled the nose out of the sand and avoided a ground loop? BUT thats all in hindsight....

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Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 9, 2013 at 11:50am

I do agree with the hindsight 100%.
All a coulda shoulda moment.
With that all said I still agree with him sticking with the 2WD for many other reasons.
As we all know this is not his first rodeo.