Jan 3rd Dakar Rally Stage 1 Race Chat

Join us for the Dakar Rally's first day on Jan 3, 2009 , right here and chat about the action during the first stage

Stage 1 - Saturday, January 3
Buenos Aires > Santa Rosa
Connection: 196 km | Special: 371 km | Connection: 166 km | Total: 733 km
Many have heard of La Pampa, where men are reputed to be “rough, but always courteous”. This first stage will provide the opportunity to discover the length of these vast plains. Dakar competitors have never faced such a long special. With over 400 km of rolling routes, perhaps the fastest on the program, this will constitute a real warm-up.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by TorqueWrench on January 3, 2009 at 3:52pm

Not a bad day. This where the Hummer is at a disadvantage! The smaller, lighter, and faster VW's and Bishi's just burn through these sections. Let the terrain get a little rougher, and a little slower and watch that Hummer come to life!

Permalink Reply by Beagle7 on January 3, 2009 at 8:41pm

breaking out the cliches.....

You can't win it on the first day, but you certainly can lose it....we did neither....so game on!

Permalink Reply by BajaTuner on January 3, 2009 at 9:22pm

I found this...

http://www.dakaradventure.com/?p=308

I paid a visit to the monster team this afternoon. As always the Monster team is present with two racing cars. Robby wasn’t super happy. He started 9th ad finished the special stage in position 14. He mentioned there were many people on the road cheering for the cars and bikes passing by. Dunerider

Permalink Reply by TOG on January 3, 2009 at 9:42pm

great photo.

Permalink Reply by zoomsss on January 4, 2009 at 4:01pm

After watching VS for Stage 1, what's going to be the first hood ornament, people standing in 90 degree turns, if turn is missed, more people standing in the way.... maybe flamingoes? ;) Robby ended up in a ditch in one shot, looks like he was able to drive right out of it.
Nice to see them open the show with Robby :)
Flat on VanHummer appears to have taken out the rear fender?

Permalink Reply by Joan Forsythe on January 5, 2009 at 10:49am

Yeah racefanrobin - I notice that SPEED has lost it. The programming is getting worse. Dave Despain used to be on weeknights now he's down to Sunday night. Barrett Jackson, Pinks, and that stupid one where they guess the speed and win the cash. SPEED should be following off road, motorcross, etc. If it is the SPEED channel, what the H--- happed to auto racing and motorcycyle racing. There is more action on the history channel. Joan