Jan 17th, 2014 Dakar Rally Stage 12 Race Discussion

Join in and discuss stage 12 of the 2014 Dakar Rally. The rally may be over for Robby Gordon, but there are still 2 stages remaining. Stay tuned for stage 11 quotes from Robby Gordon, as well as the Stage 11 team recap video.

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Permalink Reply by Hendricus on January 17, 2014 at 1:32pm

Robert nice! Next time you drive one, come on by! I'll buy lunch.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Valentine on January 17, 2014 at 1:39pm

Unfortunately I am on a route with timed stops, so interaction is rare. But they are great cars. wish I could afford one.Thanks for the offer however. lol

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Urie on January 17, 2014 at 1:55pm

I'm no auto expert, but wouldn't it make more sense to find an engine that fits the spec's for Dakar without needing a restrictor? That way you get an engine that is running the way it was tested from the factory. With the altitude in SA it seems a turbo would make sense as well. Maybe a Turbo 6 or even a turbo 4. The new EcoBoost 2.3 or current 3.5 seem like a great fit. Both put out around 300hp and would be better at altitude.

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Permalink Reply by pdxracefan on January 17, 2014 at 2:05pm

You also need an engine that will survive 13-14 days of this stuff. I don't remember any gas turbo motor that was ever successful, except the Peugeot 405.

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Permalink Reply by KTM go BRAWWWPPP!!! on January 17, 2014 at 2:11pm

Cummins just came out with a V8 diesel for NISSAN, that what would be pretty cool.
Only thing is fully dressed mosts diesels are 800-1200 pounds so not really ideal for RG and Dakar.

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Permalink Reply by blake keithley on January 17, 2014 at 3:48pm

Composite Castings West Palm Beach Florida. Matti Holzberg. he already makes Carbon Fiber Duratec blocks for ALMS (now united sports car something) blocks weigh 30lbs or less. Made his first composite engine back in the 70s or 80s. Hercules prior to becoming ATK made one back in the 80s as well.

could it stand diesel forces? interesting to find out. Cummins built that engine for Dodge then bankruptcy hit. the Ram division ;leader now works for Nissan and its slated for the Titan.

Light duty diesel, it would be interesting to see what the block was constructed of.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 17, 2014 at 9:32pm

@Blake ,have you looked at the rule book?

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Permalink Reply by pdxracefan on January 17, 2014 at 10:11pm

@MK, expound a little for the uneducated...

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 17, 2014 at 11:02pm

composite casted block's are not legal.If a manufacture build's an aluminum blocked diesel,try it. But in Robby's case an Aluminum block'd LS7 is 'production' legal. DAKAR is not pie in the sky,build what ever your brain and budget can think of.Name a run what ever you can think of series in the world,Just one!

@PDX, that is not a response for you.

Permalink Reply by GLuce on January 17, 2014 at 11:10pm

That rule book is readily available for download, easy to read, and chocked full of very interesting details. Why more folks don't take the time to download and refer to it boggles my mind.