Jan 8th, 2014 Dakar Rally Stage 4 Race Info & Discussion

Join in and discuss all the action from Stage 4 of the 2014 Dakar Rally. Robby Gordon recorded a 6th place finish in stage 3, and is now 3h46m behind. The first part of the special section of stage 4 is 217km, followed by a 185km 'neutral zone', then the last section is 284km (657km total). This is the longest special since 2005.

2014 Stage 3 Photos

STAGE 4 TRACKING

STAGE 4: SAN JUAN > CHILECITO

Connection 211km | Special Stage 657km | Total 868km

COURSE OVERVIEW

The strategy of the motorcyclists will come into play: initially their navigational skills will be seriously tested at the beginning of the morning, and then they will be faced with the problem of worn tyres, as they have already been over-used the day before. As for the drivers of cars, they will have an even more demanding route to tackle in the countryside. The Dakar’s competitors haven’t faced a special stage this long since the historical one from Zouerat to Tichit in 2005! They will have to cross rivers, descend the canyons in a Wild West setting and beware of the other participants: as these terrains are often wide open, it will be entirely possible to overtake fellow competitors.

The GREEN section of the route is the connection , the RED is the Special Section of the stage.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Shaun S on January 8, 2014 at 7:59pm

FIRE

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Meyer on January 8, 2014 at 8:03pm

Ok but first let me check windage and elevation... Oh Chicherit's car burned. He ok? Seen quite a few fires since following the Dakar. Always wondered, depending on the severity of the fire is there really anything salvagable?

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Permalink Reply by Speed Freak 7 on January 8, 2014 at 8:08pm

They are ok but it sounds like there isn't much left of the car!

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Permalink Reply by Chupakabras on January 8, 2014 at 9:13pm

Doing the math,. RG is 4 hrs 16 min behind.
he lost 2 hrs 8 mins + 26min penalty on stage 1
1 hr 13 min on stage 2, these 2 stages due to mechanical.
3rd stage is ok,
and today 20 min at the end and don't know why , yet,
that give us a total of 4hrs +,. 4 HRS!!! DAM.... so, easy top 5 today and in contention for the win. Gd..

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 8, 2014 at 9:35pm

it good not to be on this list
http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2014/us/withdrawals/cars.html#ancre

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Permalink Reply by Michael Martinez on January 8, 2014 at 9:52pm

You know I hope that ...........holy schnikes I'm tired I though this was stage 5.

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Permalink Reply by Speed Freak 7 on January 8, 2014 at 10:07pm

I know this is from yesterday but did anyone see that Patronelli bailed off his quad just before it went off a 2000' drop, that's what put him out according to the day 3 recap!

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 8, 2014 at 10:54pm

yes,yesterday on twitter

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Permalink Reply by pdxracefan on January 8, 2014 at 10:58pm

Yessir! Count your blessing.

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Permalink Reply by pdxracefan on January 8, 2014 at 11:02pm

What was learned why the rear hatch was missing the last couple stages? Broken, or off because of cooling issues? Just wondering.

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Permalink Reply by Ray Therat on January 9, 2014 at 2:13am

I've been reading about RG's LS7 motor and its vapor lock issues. My 2010 Camaro with LS3 motor has a return line. I'm about to replace the stock rails with a different setup. Can RG use the LS3 rails without falling prey to of those "rules"?

http://chevyasylum.com/10Camaro/part13/2010%20Camaro%20468.jpg