Recommendations and predictions for Robby and the HST for 2015 Dakar

I know Robby has way more experience and expertise at this than any of us, but it's fun to start speculating about what might be next.

Here are my guesses - What are yours?

Engine - He goes with a Turbo or even a Diesel turbo to help with the altitude. Stock LS7 is gone and if nothing else he uses what he used in the H3. Would love to see a battery addition to help with altitude as well. System similar to Porsche and Ferrari are using, but probably way to early as those systems are not tested. Plus Robby doesn't really brake enough to use them.
Wheelbase - I think he extends and widens it a bit
Cooling - Moves radiator to the rear again, but figures out the cooling issues, with fans etc.
Team - I think he builds one more HST for someone and they drive with him. Will be hard to get a top notch guy though given the track record with the car this year. Maybe the winner of SST (or second place if RG wins) gets to drive the second car.
Testing - I think he keeps the HST in SA for some time to test it, or flys it down their early next year for testing like Sainz did.
Fuel - He figures this out first. Maybe she buys off a team that brings in their own fuel.
Sponsors - Toyo adds more teams and Robby gets a fuel sponsor. Worried about this and Robby being able to keep funding this operation and SST.

Other Teams - Mini's come back with a smaller team and say it is their last years and Ford comes in full force with a fleet of New Raptor based trucks. Toyota changes the vehicle substantially. China comes in with more dollars. Peterhansel signs with Ford.

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Permalink Reply by Hendricus on January 17, 2014 at 2:34pm

Here we go! Robby stopped racing yesterday and today we start anew our year long chat about what the car should be. For me, it's all in good fun.

First, let me say, I'm a Robby fan. I have HUGE respect for all he has achieved in Dakar 2014, with bringing the world the Gordini, and his amazing racing career in general. I only have glimpses of his personal character, but from what I see, I like this part of Robby too. Like I said I'm a fan.

There is a point at the Planet where too much chat about Robby's cars and engines, crosses a line. I'm respectful of this line, and Tog does a great job of holding this line.

Okay with this said, I feel better, and I look forward to all the car and engine chat to come.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Urie on January 17, 2014 at 2:39pm

Thanks man. It's all in good fun. It's part of the reason we are all here. Definitely don't want it getting into the what was Robby thinking discussion.

I think we all get to live our dreams through Robby's adventure through the Planet hence why this discussion is fun. Much like yelling at the TV during a football game when they run what you think is a stupid play. Still love the team, but feel emotionally invested, but know their is a reason we are not on the sideline calling the plays.

When a fan starts thinking they are better than the person or team they are rooting for that is when I think it goes too far.

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Permalink Reply by Sandi Parker on January 17, 2014 at 3:40pm

My recommendation ??? Tube the name 'Gordini' ... it sounds very un-Robby.

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Permalink Reply by maks misson on January 17, 2014 at 3:59pm

So first at all great respect to RG and all of the SPEED TEAM for bringing a brand new car without big testing to DAKAR 2014.

Now to the HST, it's a great car for a new build but still needs a few upgrades. For colling system i would made something like this and i would still use the front air flow the one that the team made on the rest day in the hood.
The car's handling was good on narrow paths, but on the the fast downhill section was a little unstable in comparison to the old HUMMER I do not know whether this is due to lack of the downforce, weight, or due to the shorter whellbase.
I can't talk about the engine because it depends on the driver and on the configuration of the car. Probably it will stay the V8 engine.

For the end great respect to TOG and PLANET ROBBY for all the information's we got about RG's racing on the DAKAR.

Greetings from SLOVENIA.