Jan 4th Dakar Rally Stage 2 Race Chat

Join us for the Dakar Rally's second day on Jan 4, 2009 , right here and chat about the action during the 2nd stage.

Stage 2 - Sunday, January 4
Santa Rosa > Puerto Madryn
Connection: 0 km | Special: 237 km | Connection: 600 km | Total: 837 km
The longest stage of the rally will not necessarily be the most difficult. However, it should still be approached with vigilance and, above all, will a complete set of rally equipment. After a rapid first part of the special, a foretaste of sand will be proposed. On the off-roads of this stage, copilots will need to pay careful attention to their course. The more distracted will begin to “turn in circles”.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by TOG on January 3, 2009 at 11:18am

Looks like Robby will start day 2 over 14 minutes back from the leader. Don't forget, the Versus Day 1 highlight show will also be on Jan 4th.

Permalink Reply by GrayAntiMatter on January 3, 2009 at 9:12pm

14 Minutes isn't a big deal at this point, but does mean that error free stages are going to be required to make up that time. There are a lot of fast teams between RG and the lead right now.

Permalink Reply by GrayAntiMatter on January 4, 2009 at 3:25am

One stage! Sure!

The guy who wins overrall is the one that strings 16 of them together....

Permalink Reply by Lance on January 4, 2009 at 9:15am

bottom line, just don't make a mistake to take yourself out of the running. Everyone will have some sort of problems in this race, Robby needs to make sure our problems remain minimal. If so, he'll have a chance to win.

Permalink Reply by TOG on January 3, 2009 at 3:44pm

of course, but the same goes for all the other drivers too!

Permalink Reply by jack on January 3, 2009 at 10:41pm

I forgot now.. how does the start of day 2 work? I know they start in order they they place from the day before... but what is the start time for the first car.. and what are the time intervals between each car start time?

Permalink Reply by Mario on January 4, 2009 at 4:59am

According to the Dakar site's live tracking, the Top 10 have a 2 minute interval, 11th to 20th have a 1 minute interval, and from 21st on back have a 30 second interval.

Permalink Reply by Matt on January 4, 2009 at 1:09am

Way to stay postive.

When does the stage start tomorrow?

Permalink Reply by laura_a_Robbyfan on January 4, 2009 at 7:30am

we can always start chanting the "A" word like we do in Nascar...Attrition

Permalink Reply by zoomsss on January 4, 2009 at 4:40am

Not sure if this will be updated daily? but has some good info on conditions, maybe it's being described as being inside a vacuum cleaner bag is right on! ;)

2009 Dakar Coverage From Buenos Aries~theautochannel.com

In the bivouac, massively dusty and crowded, I chatted with American’s Mark Miller from the VW team, Robby Gordon, well known for his NASCAR racing, and Spaniard Carlos Sainz who is expected to be in contention for the overall win, as are Miller and Gordon. Their conversation is about the track, the dust and how quickly the cars overtook motorcycles and quads, even at the 40 km mark. Miller says he came upon three motorcycles at a T-junction at over 120 km, fully engaged in turning. Hummer H3 driver Gordon found quads and cycles alike, as did Sainz. They agreed that it is dangerous as the cars are running at 180 km, motorcycles at 120. They, and others, will ask the organizers to put more time between the last motorcycle and the first, fastest, cars.

Permalink Reply by Mario on January 4, 2009 at 5:02am

Robby rolls off in 17th at 8:58am local time (6:58am Eastern, 3:58am Pacific...if my math is right).

Permalink Reply by Mario on January 4, 2009 at 7:29am

With 22 cars through CP1, here are the Top 10 in standings based on time:
1. 301 Sainz 9'44"
2. 302 Al Attiyah 10'00"
3. 305 De Villiers 10'01"
4. 308 Miller 10'03"
5. 300 Peterhansel 10'19"
6. 316 Novitskiy 10'19"
7. 309 Robby Gordon 10'20"
8. 303 Alphand 10'22"
9. 304 Roma 10'22"
10. 315 Terranova 10'32"