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 Mario on January 7, 2009 at 3:17pm

I think I have heard rallys called raids before.

Permalink Reply by Team Maranello on January 7, 2009 at 3:24pm

In Europe, these long multi day events are called Rally-Raid and shorter WRC style racing is called Rally

Permalink Reply by 7gason7 on January 7, 2009 at 3:27pm

So does:

"Unfortunately, I’m afraid the raid is over for us."

Mean Peterhansel is out?

Permalink Reply by Mario on January 7, 2009 at 3:38pm

It might, but I would wait to see what the "official" word is. It may not be as bad as Peterhansel thinks it is.

Permalink Reply by Mario on January 7, 2009 at 3:37pm

Thanks. I thought it might have been Rally-Raid, but wasn't 100% sure. I have to much crap stored in my brain that stuff like this gets lost or mis-filed...lol.

Permalink Reply by GrayAntiMatter on January 8, 2009 at 6:35am

Yeah, dont count him out until he is OUT.

But that would be the third blow for Mitsubishi.

Permalink Reply by laura_a_Robbyfan on January 7, 2009 at 3:33pm

boy does this sound familar! But when Robby hears this he will say "been there, done that" Isn't this what took Robby out in 2006.

Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on January 7, 2009 at 3:27pm

My My how things change. Who would have thunk the two favorates would have trouble. Top tens all day long will get RG on the Podium.

Now if tomorrow RG can just get The Boy From Quater to follow him into a huge ditch this rally is ours.

Permalink Reply by Beagle7 on January 7, 2009 at 3:43pm

Only thing i am worried about tomorrow is being the first car to have to Navigte this "

competitors might well be slowed down by a wide ford that must be crossed with exceeding skill to avoid an extended bath"

I imagine we will be the car in the lead on time and physically tomorrow afetr the ifrst 60K of dunes...so Andy needs to be on his A game!

Permalink Reply by laura_a_Robbyfan on January 7, 2009 at 3:57pm

Since the first 71 km is all sand, everyone behind Robby will be eating his dust.

Permalink Reply by bighead on January 7, 2009 at 4:39pm

Don't worry little one THE FORCE is strong with this one.

Permalink Reply by Sarah on January 7, 2009 at 4:10pm

This is from the Toyo website...

1/7/2009
Robby Finishes Stage 5!

Ramses just called by cell phone from the Finish Line of Stage 5. Robby finished 3rd, just 4 minutes and 12 seconds behind the stage winner, Giniel De Villiers. This moves Robby into 7th overall for the 2009 Dakar Rally.

Today's course was 763 km total and included some grueling terrain. Fortunately, the Hummer H3 is built for grueling terrain and Robby was able to make up some time. Ramses said he even sat in the lead for a bit.

Eric Vigouroux is still on the course with a couple hundred kilometers left to go.

Ramses thinks they are staying in a hotel tonight (versus on the ground in a tent) so he hopes to find a strong internet connection. If that happens, we should see pictures and more details by late tonight.

From all of us here at Toyo Tires, thanks for following Ramses' Rally Journal! Go Team Dakar USA!