Jan 7th Dakar Rally Stage 5 Race Chat

Join us for the Dakar Rally on Jan 7, 2009 , right here and chat about the action during the 5th stage.Robby begins the day 9th overall in the standings.

Stage 5 - Wednesday, January 7
Neuquen > San Rafael
Connection: 173 km | Special: 506 km | Connection: 84 km | Total: 763 km
The major test of the first week of the race will perhaps be fought on the road to San Rafael. The long distance will oblige teams to remain concentrated at all times. The pilots will also be confronted with real dune passageways, including a range nearly twenty kilometers long. Long off-road stretches will alternate with much more technical sections in the track following the “rios”. The Cordillera can be seen on the horizon, but taking time to sightsee is out of the question: a too-late arrival at the bivouac always leaves a mark.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on January 6, 2009 at 12:25pm

They will be up to 7600 ft elv.

Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on January 6, 2009 at 12:26pm

Might get to see some cars fly off the mountains?

Permalink Reply by Team Maranello on January 6, 2009 at 12:36pm

Petrol should perform better than Diesel at higher altitude, but looking at the Mistu/VW diesel with great low end torque they still might have an advantage in tight twist and climbing stuff. Once we get into flat running at high altitude, the game should shift back to petrol. I expect the Bemmers and Hummer to go mental at that point. Robby seems a little out classed by equipment, but Robby being Robby will, claw, punch, grab, snatch just to stay in the fight. That is why we love watching him.

Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on January 6, 2009 at 12:47pm

Yes he is laying low... The dust is just killing the guy. He needs one good stage with a top 4 so he can rabbit out by 8 minutes. Starting these stages in 3-6th can really be an advantage knowing if you pass 4 guys you are 8 minutes up. By stage 7 RG will begin to take inventory of whos left and who is who... Podium is the name of the game here. A win is what everyone is after but Robby is holding good to a stratagy. if he is getting beat 10 minutes a day well then it is what it is. let the chips fall... But don't let anger or impatience dictate strategy.

Permalink Reply by Timothy Wyant on January 6, 2009 at 2:33pm

The race profile looks insane, but a rough slope calculation says that in rising 1250m over the distance of 70km, the average gradient will be roughly 1%-2%. It seems that Robby's biggest issue thus far has been a) the dust from being in the back but more so b) The hummer just doesn't do as well in tighter, twistier roads. I think this race would look alot better for Robby if we were in Africa instead of S. America.

Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on January 6, 2009 at 3:08pm

Open expanse is what the Hummer loves.

Permalink Reply by CDN11 on January 7, 2009 at 6:55pm

the BMW's are Diesel

Permalink Reply by WJM on January 6, 2009 at 2:02pm

In 2007, Robby was 49th over 3-1/2 hours back after the 4th stage (2006 he was in 69th).
The eventual winner, Stephane Peterhansel, was in 9th over 24 minutes behind Sainz after 4 stages.

One factory Mitsu is out, and only two of the six X-Raid BMW's are ahead of Robby.

Still a long way to go.

Permalink Reply by Ex Desert on January 6, 2009 at 2:36pm

listened to his audio clip on the site and he Rolled the Hummer twice.. he was in the hunt up till then. Yes. hes still in the mix. Some of the rabbits are gonna wreck eventually

Permalink Reply by Ex Desert on January 6, 2009 at 3:28pm

Were all used to an early Robby banza charge followed by hours of silence and oh shit. I'm sure he would like to be a litlte closer to the front but its a long way to the other end of this thing. Im happy

Permalink Reply by GrayAntiMatter on January 7, 2009 at 8:14am