Jan 9th Dakar Rally Stage 7 Race Chat

Join us for the Dakar Rally on Jan 9, 2009 , right here and chat about the action during the 7th stage.

Stage 7 - Friday, January 9

Mendoza (ARG) > Valparaiso (CHL)

Connection: 80 km | Special: 419 km | Connection: 317 km | Total: 816 km
The variety of terrains and landscapes, a constant given for the Dakar 2009, is evident once again on this stage, where, in addition to a change of country, most of the competitors will get to know the Cordillera of the Andes. Before measuring themselves with the mountains, they must cross over a series of dunes and endure a session of fesh fesh, which is identical to Saharan sand, but which the inhabitants of the region call “guadal”. Concerning the mountains, this will be the only special to include passageways at 3,000 meters on technical routes that will sometimes allow a glimpse of the Aconcagua, the highest point in the Andes (6,959 m). Then, competitors will cross the border on the link section to reach the sea at Valparaiso.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by GrayAntiMatter on January 8, 2009 at 8:21am

ACROSS THE ANDES! Too bad it's just liaison.....probably better that way though

Permalink Reply by bighead on January 8, 2009 at 1:18pm

dam what a climb

Permalink Reply by TOG on January 8, 2009 at 3:01pm

Looks like there is no water for the folks to cross, so we should see a full stage tomorrow.

Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on January 8, 2009 at 3:57pm

They better not chop this one off at 200KM so Carlos' hands can heal.

Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on January 8, 2009 at 4:44pm

The Allitilla penalty changes things. For the rest of the rally if RG only gives up 4 minutes per stage to the leaders he can still walk away the victor. The top 5 in font of RG stack up to having very few problems with acception to Peterhanzel. Miller is due, Villiers is due... And Roma. That puts us on the podium. To be the Best Finish for an American ever.

Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on January 8, 2009 at 5:28pm

Ok you heard it here first. Tomorrow we will witness "A thing of beauty"

Robby is close to the perfect starting position again. (5 or 6th is perfect)

We will see either Sianz, Miller or DeVilliers suffer major setback 2+hours.

We will also see Roma and Peterhanzel have a 15 minute setback.

Robby will win tomorrow's stage by 3 minutes. Over one of the VW's and it won't be Miller.

Permalink Reply by alan4s on January 8, 2009 at 5:30pm

A bold prediction. I hope you're at least half right.

Permalink Reply by fred on January 8, 2009 at 5:30pm

does three make the podium or five ?

Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on January 8, 2009 at 5:39pm

Permalink Reply by zoomsss on January 8, 2009 at 6:17pm

What is the Camions used for on this route?
I still feel like a newbie after following this, what 5 years now.

Permalink Reply by zoomsss on January 8, 2009 at 11:43pm

Did you see the one that did a nose dive into the ditch on that one video, it was like 'THUD', instant stopage!!! Got backed out of the hole and trucked on thru the same spot.

Permalink Reply by zoomsss on January 8, 2009 at 11:39pm

Thank you! Otherwise known as the T6? and the other service trucks are T4s?
I was trying to find specs for them online last night as a friend at hubby's work is all interested in Robby and Dakar and he's bringing home tons of questions for me to answer, I know a good part of them, but I didn't know the weight of the MAN.... 8 ton dry?