2016 Dakar - Prelude To Stage 1

Once again, it's getting close to the start of greatest race in the world, the 2016 Dakar Rally! In the days leading up to the start of stage 1, there will be many events taking place. Robby Gordon is already in Argentina, has picked up the support vehicles and will retrieve the race cars from the airport today (Dec.30). The 2nd team driver, Sheldon Creed, will arrive today as well.

The #TeamSPEED compound will be setup, and work on the vehicles leading up to Scrutineering (Tech inspection). Scrutineering takes place from Dec. 31st to Jan 1st in Buenos Aires. On Jan 2nd, the teams will parade to the 'opening ceremonies ramp' and all the drivers will be introduced. There will be links to the "LIVE TV FEED" available on Jan. 2nd.

Also taking place on Jan. 2nd is "The 15 Minute Warmup" - Buenos Aires to Rosario. This will set the lineup for stage 1.

The competitors are timed over a distance which is long enough to separate them into a logical starting order for the next day, but not really long enough to talk about a first day of competition. The mini-special section and the liaison section to the light bivouac of Rosario should not cause any damage... unless drivers are really unlucky and/or reckless!

Stage 1 begins on Jan. 3rd, 2015. As always, we will have live raceday chat, stage threads, in-action updates, photos, videos, etc. The guys on the crew will also be sending us updates from the frontline.

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Permalink Reply by Chupakabras on January 2, 2016 at 5:32pm

Looks like the ran with SAFE MODE ON,. that's ,much better than over the croud.

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Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 2, 2016 at 4:02pm

Quotes should be good.

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Permalink Reply by Charlie Frank on January 2, 2016 at 4:04pm

Wonder what was going on today... Not like RG to hold back that much...

Here is another perspective of the ramp jump from Fox Vivo - Enjoy guys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVzwbSU_FC0

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Permalink Reply by Blain on January 2, 2016 at 4:20pm

Crazy that 3 of the top 4 Peugeots had the exact same time

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Permalink Reply by Blain on January 2, 2016 at 4:22pm

I do like that Carlos Sainz....He is a bad ass

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Permalink Reply by yano on January 2, 2016 at 4:22pm

good god 30 sec behind on 11kms ... these guys must have stopped for a good dession of selfies huh !?
but our guy is a fighter so GAS ON Robby

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Permalink Reply by WJM on January 2, 2016 at 4:44pm

The Prologue was suspended following a serious accident involving #360. Remaining cars and trucks will go straight to the bivouac.

Local media reporting 8 people injured including 2 or 3 children. One of the injured spectators with serious injuries.

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Permalink Reply by Don Brown on January 2, 2016 at 4:46pm

Just read that on race dez., heard fatality in the crowd. was wondering why the tracker had stopped updating.

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Permalink Reply by WJM on January 2, 2016 at 4:48pm

On portions of the stage people were lined on the course like you'd see in Baja.

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Permalink Reply by Don Brown on January 2, 2016 at 4:57pm

Update; "8 injured, 3 Hurt Badly"
Source; JuicyJuice RDC

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Permalink Reply by Don Brown on January 2, 2016 at 5:25pm

19:17 : Accident on the prologue

There has been an accident at km 6.6 of the prologue's special, with car no. 360 veering off the road and hitting four spectators.The organisers immediately deployed all resources available to the site of the accident: four medical helicopters, three medical vehicles belonging to the organisers and eight local ambulances.Injured individuals are likely to be swiftly taken to hospitals in the area following an initial medical evaluation by the organisers' medical teams on the site.The race directors immediately decided to neutralise the race. The remainder of the trip to the Rosario bivouac will be considered a link section.