2013 Dakar Stage 14 Team SPEED Notes & Quotes

DAKAR RALLY STAGE 14 - LA SERENA TO SANTIAGO


Santiago, Chile (January 19, 2013) – On the final day of the 2013 Dakar Rally, Robby Gordon and Kellon Walch set the pace to start Stage 14. However, the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires / MAPEI HUMMER finished the 114KM stage in 6th place; the American duos first finish outside the top 5 since Stage 4.


The Rally consisted of ups and downs for Gordon as a driver and Walch as a navigator. No matter the outcome of the stage, the two continued to battle capturing 8 podiums and 2 stage wins in the world's toughest off-road race. After the roll over on Day 4, Gordon knew that continuing with the Rally would help overall in developing the HUMMER to make it stronger to come back in 2014 to capture the ultimate goal in an overall win.


"I've made mistakes this year, and I'm extremely proud of my team. We have had zero mechanical issues and zero flats thanks to a great partner in Toyo Tires. Also, I want to say thanks for all the support from MAPEI, 4 Wheel Parts, Traxxas and SPEED Energy. My team never got down when they knew we were out of it. They kept their heads together and worked hard to achieve two stages wins. We will be back next year!"


Gordon completes the 2013 Dakar Rally 14th overall, finishing with his signature donuts for hundreds of fans waiting to greet him. The team is ready for some needed rest after several days of camping in the desert. However, next up for Gordon of his many off-road adventures state-side will be the Best in the Desert Parker 425 on January 31st - February 3, where he will return in his no.77 SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires Trophy Truck, followed by the King of the Hammers event on February 6 - 9th.



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Permalink Reply by bighead on January 19, 2013 at 9:13pm

A little less than a year to go, so find a team mate that will flip you back over when your wheels are up and go kick there ass...

Permalink Reply by Adam G on January 19, 2013 at 10:44pm
Can't wait for next year
Permalink Reply by Rohan Deelen on January 20, 2013 at 8:48am

Man I cannot wait to see what RG has up his sleeves for next year.

Permalink Reply by GLL on January 20, 2013 at 9:12am

I suspect Robby will be back in 2014. I do wonder - how many years does the "Hummer design" have left in it. It does well and is reliable. But really not enough speed. While biult for the dunes - day in and day out, he does not seem to have any overally advantage over the Mini's. Rules pretty well limit engine power for Robby. I do wonde if something more Buggy/Truggly like is going th be what it will take to "win" the race for Robby. Do not see him going 4x4, unless someone steps up with a big pile of cash to sponsor a whole new design. And a new design will take years to get up and reliable.

With one misstep, this was a good race for Robby. He did his brand well. Congratulations to the team

Permalink Reply by Dave Horwath on January 20, 2013 at 10:40am

I've learned a couple of things...maybe just observations, but here goes!
The mini's are very reliable, they also have mega bucks behind them. The run in "packs", this is why, I think, they create and advantage. Robby made up over an half hour after the infamous turtle incident. Not to take anything away from Peter, the man can drive. He made zero mistakes and that's why he's so good! It was a ball to "watch"!!! Thanks to the planeteers and TOG, Mike and all the contributors!! It's been a blast!! On to SST!

Permalink Reply by Bob on January 20, 2013 at 2:25pm

My sense is that the organizers are OK with the ongoing upswing in buggies... as long as they stay on a par with the factory entries.

If they start beating the factory guys, ASO may find some way to slow them down. One does wonder how the regulations might change next year if Nasser had won the thing this year...by large amounts of time over the Minis.

Permalink Reply by Rohan Deelen on January 21, 2013 at 3:46am

I think there are a couple of things that are holding back Robby. One, no teammates how many Mini's are there 4? It's good to have a team with good drivers who can give you assistance when you need it. He needs at least a second Hummer but a third wouldn't hurt either.
Then there is the Hummer it self it consistently keeps loosing time on the more Rally like sections where 4 wd is king. The cars seems to be doing well in the dunes but even there it looses time. It needs to be shorter overall I think to make it more nimble.
Maybe he should convert one of the SST trucks they look more nimble then the Hummer.

Permalink Reply by Robert Ryan on January 21, 2013 at 6:34am

RG needs a team to throw new ideas off. The Mini's are basically re bodied BMW SUV's. Must admit all of the 3 Litre Diesel Minis, BMW , Great Wall Pickup and a 3 Litre diesel Buggy went well.

Permalink Reply by shorty on January 21, 2013 at 12:46pm

every year is a lesson learned, so he just might be doing modifications for 2014

Permalink Reply by Matt/Canuck on January 20, 2013 at 1:26pm

Big thanks to all who helped
Zero coverage in Canada for DAKAR so this is much appreciated

My thoughts are, that once Robby had no chance of winning, he raced the best he ever has.
Nice job Speed Dakar Team

Permalink Reply by OMRBUBBAO on January 20, 2013 at 2:57pm

Can t wait for the KOH be the first time I have been to it is R G driving his own built car/truck or what ever there called

Permalink Reply by Chris Koropeski on January 20, 2013 at 9:49pm

I have run into the same issue over the past so many years. No NBC sports, no eurosport, etc here in Canada.. makes Dakar very hard to follow.... at this time of the year the internet becomes my greatest friend.

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