2013 Dakar Stage 7 Team SPEED Notes & Quotes

DAKAR RALLY STAGE 7 - CALAMA TO SALTA

Salta, Argentina (January 11, 2013) –

The Dakar Rally entered Argentina today, the third different country in this year's race. Robby Gordon and navigator Kellon Walch captured their third consecutive third place finish. Gordon is staying consistent with the leaders of the Rally despite being hours behind due to the rollover during Stage 4. Knowing that he could be sitting in the top-3 of the overall standings provides Gordon with the drive he needs, to make up as much time as possible each remaining day of the Dakar Rally.

"Today was another good special for us. The SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires / MAPEI HUMMER was fast, and I am kicking myself because we could be sitting third overall in the Rally right now if I had not messed up. Every time we finish well, it is like twisting the sword we had already stabbed ourselves with. We are not third, so we'll accept it and chip away in the standings and search for that first stage win. There are other guys that could make a mistake and have a bad day too. We just hope that we are there to capitalize when they do," Gordon commented shortly after completing the stage just one minute and eight seconds behind Peterhansel, the winner.

Tomorrow's Stage 8 will continue in the countryside of Argentina, heading towards Tucumán being one of the Rally's longest Specials. Competitors will face a 152KM liaison to start a 471KM Special finishing with a 228KM liaison to the bivouac in Tucumán. What lies ahead are some tricky tracks with dusty trials along the beautiful landscape of Argentina. Drivers must be prepared for weather conditions as rain and wind are likely to play a factor in who ends up on top of the podium.

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Permalink Reply by richard berger on January 11, 2013 at 6:49pm

Keep hitting it hard and' a special win will come.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Lister on January 11, 2013 at 7:27pm

Above all else... Keep perspective. Robby Gordon was the very first American to ever win a stage at Dakar. The icebreaker rarely goes as fast as the boats behind it. He has blazed a trail in venues not even dared by others. The man has balls the size of church bells. If he races for 30th in the Dakar; I'm watching. Gas on brother!

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 11, 2013 at 8:22pm

"Robby Gordon was the very first American to ever win a stage at Dakar" First American to win a stage in a car.
First American ever to win a stage of DAKAR was Chuck Stearns,1985.Motorbikes Just say'n

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Permalink Reply by Steve Lister on January 12, 2013 at 5:39am

I stand corrected on that detail.

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Permalink Reply by Mark R on January 11, 2013 at 8:06pm

glad things are going better for the team. this has been a tough ralley for everyone except the minis but there day will come. Ive been keeping an eye on the imperial toyota hilux trucks too. I think they will be a force next year. Ive watch the BMW x5 rule dakar then onto the VW toureg and now minis i bet next is the toyotas.