2014 Dakar

[corax]

So the Dakar just started into it's second week and I finally found a bike to cheer for
(Robby Gordon & Ballistic BJ Baldwin are the obvious choices in the "Cars" category)

Dakar Rally Competitor Sponsored by Pornographer (http://blog.motorcycle.com/2013/01/09/manufacturers/yamaha/dakar-rally-competitor-sponsored-by-pornographer/)
(this was last years graphics, but the sponsor and bike theme is the same this year - current pics here: NSFW (http://mototribu.com/blog/?p=36433))
http://blog.motorcycle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/010913-hugo-payen-dakar-yamaha-yzf450-01.jpg


BTW, if you've never experienced the addictive 2 week struggle to find coverage and keep up with it, here is why the Dakar is the greatest offroad race on the planet summed up in a nice neat infographic (http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/this-infographic-explains-dakar-to-your-kids-and-cowork-1497074725/@matthardigree)
http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/19c0staz9qvsdpng/ku-xlarge.png

[Seanz0rz]

Wish there was some sort of TV or online coverage that wasn't just some dude tweeting or otherwise doesn't suck.

[corax]

ADVRider has a lot of info spread across several threads here:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=25
there are also several board members there sending back inside info from the front lines
I believe last year ADVRider organized a trip down to the Dakar . . . I want to say it was somewhere around $1200 (not including airfare down) for bike rental, guides, food and lodging

(the Official Event Coverage thread is already over 400 pages)

[Seanz0rz]

Thanks, I'll check out the link.

It would be nice if we had a channel or 4 that covered motorsports, and not just nascar. F1, WRC, MotoGP, BTC, Aussie V8, etc.

[Robinhood4x4]

A Dakar newbie question, but how come you don't see any baja style trophy trucks in the Dakar? Does it have to be based on a production vehicle?

[corax]

Doesn't have to based on anything near production - depending, of course, on what class you're building for.

For example, Robby Gordon ran a full size rear engine Hummer H3 looking tube frame creation for the last couple years
http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2012/01/12/1226242/555655-robby-gordon-stage-10-dakar-rally.jpg

whereas this year it's a smaller truck based on his Stadium Super Truck (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMuod2BaHQ8) (<- click the link to see these little beasts in action) series that he calls the "Gordini HST"
http://www.bybillwood.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2014Dakar_GordonSS1Speed.jpg

while Ballistic BJ Baldwin is running his first Dakar in a Chevy truck that isn't really Chevy truck sized
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1410789_10152084814587451_1137001307_o.jpg
BTW, to even up the odds a bit within each class, they allow 2WDs to use central tire inflation systems while 4WDs cannot.

but when they say "Truck" in Dakar, this is what they mean:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dkfP_2r7cTg/UiMYN-dVdLI/AAAAAAAABJM/zwmy1amB1X0/s1600/on_adventure_kamaz_truck.jpg

Everything else is a "Car" "Bike" or "Quad". The "Truck" class actually grew out of the support trucks that followed the cars and had to keep up to make the next service area. The most famous truck (in my mind) being the DAF Turbo Twin (http://jalopnik.com/5864504/whats-the-most-badass-racing-truck-of-all-time)from the mid-80s

How do you make an 11-ton truck go 150 mph? Two 11.6-liter diesel engines, each fed by three turbochargers, producing 1,200 horsepower and a space-time-ripping 3,466 lb-ft of torque. EACH. That's 2,400 hp and near-as-dirt 7,000 lb-ft. It also had a lightweight aluminum spaceframe

But for the most part, smaller lighter vehicles with a shorter wheelbase are the norm - there's even a side-by-side UTV running this year. Shorter wheel base for the technical sections I guess. Lighter weight=less armor required and less fuel consumption which means smaller tanks and more weight savings. Porsche proved the small/lighter package was feasible years ago
http://www.sportscardigest.com/wp-content/uploads/Porsche-PB-Display-1.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

I wish there was some decent Dakar coverage on TV.

[04 Rocko Taco]

Even translated to English, that sie about the bike is hard to read, haha. ...and not JUST because the pictures are distracting.

[Marc P]

This year is has the worst coverage I can remember....thank goodness for the Dailymotion.com vids

[corax]

I believe NBC is actually carrying coverage for the first time in . . . well, not sure they ever did really
Bunch of youtube stuff here, just look for the video titles that are in english: http://www.youtube.com/user/dakar/videos

Also, this thread is a bit much to decode, but has all the links to coverage: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=943500
go to the second post with the network broadcast links - some stations won't play in this country
Scroll down in the second post, just below the world time map & install VLC along with the playlist file
here's one that will play in the US: http://eurosport.yahoo.com/motorsport/dakar/
It does take a bit of effort to keep up with it all, but there are some great stories out there

[corax]

Here's one more: http://www.planetrobby.com/
Full stage recaps uploaded by user "WJM"

[corax]

love the drop from the huge dunes into Iquique - this is hauling a$$
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAwpor9s2KI

BJ Baldwin found out yesterday they don't like getting the bumper in Dakar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubl0JIGGP3E
Ballistic BJ Baldwin instagram: After a tough stage @quinncody and I patiently awaiting our case for yesterday's inci"dents". Apparently I should have left "Baja" at home. They don't like the bumper at all here in #Dakar. Lol. If these guys would move I wouldn't have to use the bumper!! No one respects the sentinel!! One way or another #America is coming through!!! 💪😁 #movebitchgetouttheway

[corax]

a couple parting videos that I found on youtube:
tough spot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-1_kGOiQeI
I can only guess that the "water crossing" was slick with algae: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugjx0xPxN3Y
no words on this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojY5CPPdH2Y
passing on the outside: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1U5aVamkAM
I usually cheer for the underdog, but these guys had no chance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugjx0xPxN3Y

for anyone who heard about the "team orders" from the X-Raid Mini team (making Stephan Peterhansel stop pushing after he regained over 40 minutes to close the gap on race leader Nani Roma in the third to last stage), and thought it was utter bull$41t.

Peterhansel - through little fault of his own - semi-unintentionally found himself leading after stage 12; when he passed Roma in a section of dunes - stuck - and thereby inherited the lead. Roma (operating under the assumption that the "team order" given at end of stage 11 (when Roma was still legitimately the leader)... which he HAD been since stage 6 when Peterhansel suffered a spate of (4?) flats in one stage that dropped him down the order... in the first place )

On stage 13, when Peterhansel "let" Roma past again for the "win", he did so not only as required by the decision made by the team manager at conclusion of stage 11... but because he is a proffessional 100%.

Possibly also out of respect/repayment to both Quandt and Roma for the years of support they have offered/sacrificed in the past to Stephane.

All five of Stephanes DAKAR auto wins have come under Quandt's management. It was Sven who was involved in the recruitment of Peterhansel into the Mitsubishi squad (yes... that's right - SQ was CEO/Team manager at MMSP back at that time also). This after the frenchman had endured a couple of ill fated attempts in the auto division at DAKAR. The (then) six-time ex-MOTO champion had flirted with a Renault Kangoo and Nissan pick-up un-successfully and Quandt, seeing the potential brought Peterhansel to "his" team. Other "names" he can claim credit for doing the same...? Kleinschmidt, Roma, Alphand, Chicherit and even Al Attiyah (though he came with a cheque-book also).

As far as "Nani" goes... he has been in the reverse situation a number of times in his career as team mate to Peterhansel (they have BOTH had factory dirive almost all of their career on the same team, at the same time, with Mitsu, BMW and at MINI). As he said in a couple of his interviews... "team order" have been implemented on a few occassions in the past, where "he" had been asked not to attack his team mate (in a couple of instances Peterhansel) in order to ensure the team maintain it's hold on the victory. In this rspect had he always complied... and as a "professional" he expected (assumed) the same would be maintained in 2014.

So see it as a "repayment on SP's behalf of a collaboration on all three's behalf (Stephane, nani and Sven), that goes back over a decade.

I agree that "team orders" and the corporate intervention dilutes to a certain extent the "purity" of sport... but it is not new to DAKAR or motorsport in general. And when the millions of dollars that are involved are at stake, it is not really suprising that the factories step in to protect their investment.

If you don't like that aspect, one can always refrain from accepting a factory drive and do as many of the high profile privateers do, and spend their OWN MONEY to fund a Dakar campaign. In that respect - like the majority do - you can run as hard or as fast as you like. But if you are being PAID then you follow you employers request I would think. Peterhansel is a pro... and his action proved it.

Nani is also, and after many years loyal service... it was "his" turn. Record book "twelve" and marketing semantics aside - THAT was the decision the team management came to, and THAT's what was executed... in military precision. The PR aspect of it however, was less that stellar. Unfortunate in many ways that it became so public... as similar "agreements" in the past (eg. Mini, BMW, VW, Mitsu etc.) had been executed without the same level of "confirmed" media coverage.

And so to the last point; that Peterhansel (should have told them to stick it). He would never do, he is too aware of his reputation to ever do so. Quite aside from any "debt" he may or may not feel to Nani or Sven as consequence of the history they have:

So far in the interviews that I have read/seen... most of the reports that Peterhansel is "reportedly" talking with Peugeot about DAKAR 2015, have come from the media. The only report (that I have seen) where Peterhansel mentioned this, was some days prior to X-mas; and there he stated only that he is contracted to MINI for 2014 Dakar, and maybe the future - as yet no decision?

Whether it is Peugeot or Citröen (both PSA Group brands) that saddle up for DAKAR 2015 is also very much open to speculation... The Peugeot name came up after the successful pikes Peak campaign - with seb löeb at the wheel. Citröen is also a rumour - in past they (as Peugeot) have a great record at dakar, and on the back of Löebs history with them at WRC (and in 2015 WTCC) it seems a good "fit" also.

Tack onto the back of this, the fact that Seb turned up to VIP the dakar this year, went all over the Red Bull sponsored SMG operation (French Dakar team with tons experience and backing from Seb's personal sponsor - Red Bull), even had a joy-ride in one of them at conclusion of one of the days stages. With him and carlos sainz contacts to Citröen, Red Bull and the SMG team... yeah, for sure something is in the cookpot there... whether it will be in Peugeot or Citröen livery... only the names involved and the big wigs at PSA know at the moment - probably.

But, it does seem probable/possible that a major french AUTO factory teameffort will be at DAKAR possibly as early as 2015... and (possibly) in a 2WD T1 class vehicle?

Which raioses the question as to what MINI and TOYOTA will do from here?

Would Peterhansel jump at the chance to work with the French connection? maybe so? Does X-Raid have something up their sleeve for the 2015 Dakar? Who knows? Where will Peterhansel be in 2015? Not sure right now, but it will be somewhere that he knows he has a fighting chance to take "number 12" I reckon.

For the moment "Nanii" got re-paid for "years of service", Stephane "paid" for years of support and "the boss" made sure his investment "paid off"... just as it has been at DAKAR since Porsche/Rothmans and Peugeot/Pioneer brought the big dollars to the "amateur" rallye.

[Marc P]

Cool vids...I had seen the water crossing one already, but the "hard spot" one was crazy

[Kryptoroxx]

Man those are some cool vids. I never really followed the Dakar race but I've seen clips. That difficult spot was nuts but I loved that downhill section. That was crazy lucky(or skilled)

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