[stanegoli]

Anybody on the forum following the Dakar Rally?

We get a half hour daily roundup on Versus channel. Amazing event. Toughest race in the world I think.

 

[Normandy]

Tough indeed, caught a few minutes of it the other day. Bogged down in sand . Ugh.

 

[Nochicanes]

Robby Gordon has won three stages so far...pretty cool.

daily dakar

 

[steventhechef]

We get 30 minutes @ 6.00pm (like I am home then)!!

I have to record it tonight.. Tough ar5ed guys and girls. I don't think that I could do it, as much as I would like to!!

Motorcycle Dakar fatality

[ This message was edited by: steventhechef on 2007-01-11 20:49 ]

 

[ruscook]

I watched Charlie Boormans Race to Dakar late last year, (there was a bit on Andy's death in it). It is an enormously hard event. Talk about extreme sports... I have a lot of respect for the skills and the sheer drive of guys (and gals) who enter this type of event, but I still think they're absolute nutters!

Russ

 

[steventhechef]

Russ, Race to Dakar - (the Charlie Boorman one) just finished last night up here in Qld.

Great adventure. One of the English females to finish was swigging out of a bottle of champers saying "This is a 150,000 (U.K. pound) bottle of champagne !!"

Pain, suffering, phenomenal endurance and expense!!

I can't help thinking of the rich Western tourists pouring through some of the poorest African nations sometimes though!! .

 

[stanegoli]

Nice to see an American doing well on a bike - Blaise currently running in 5th on a KTM (which, judging by the line up, is the bike of choice on Dakar).


:wink:

 

[Catenaccio]

A kid from these parts - Kellen Walch - competed for KTM two years ago. He was the 1st American in 20 years to win a stage. The Dakar is totally to the wall!

 

[ruscook]

I can't help thinking of the rich Western tourists pouring through some of the poorest African nations sometimes though!! .

I bought the DVD (with the Dr, Tornado etc DVD) at the Sydney Bike Show. I sat and watched it in 2 sittings

Yeah, the tourism thing is a real two edged sword isn't it. Does bring money into those countries with the full circus following the racers, but it must seem a whole other, totally unreal or surreal world to the locals.....

Russ

 

[mkchev]

BMW used to have a cool add years ago (after there bikes had won a few) went along the lines of -we have taken your new bike for a wee test ride then a pic of a BMW in the rally. I liked it a lot, guessing the pope didn't.

 

[DeanRider]

Stop Press: South Africa's Giniel De Villiers took the overall lead in the Dakar Rally on Friday after winning stage seven between Zouerat and Atar which was shortened because of a blinding sandstorm. Click Here For More Details

 

[TonUp]

KTM is really kicking butt, I check out the standings every now and them. Very though and challenging race.




Ton Up!

 

[Whisperinsmith]

For those who wish to read a nice report about how it all came about for one guy from Georgia (USA), Chris Jones, click here.

Dakar 101

His teamate, Elmer Symons was the rider who was killed during this race. Very sad. Chris' post has pictures of Elmer before their race and a nice commentary about him. Very odd and sad to think he is now gone after just reading about him. His brother was the mechanic on the support vehicle. Had to be tough for him.

Check out Round the world 101 for Chris' other adventure. Great read.

[ This message was edited by: Whisperinsmith on 2007-01-15 15:17 ]

 

[whoa]

Did you guys hear anything about the speed limit being waived this year? I read that in a thread discussing the virtues of a 450 over a 650 assuming limits were enforced. But with limits being lifted at the last minute, tilted the obvious choice to the 650.

Then while watching Eurosport, a leader in cars was penalized thirty minutes for speeding.

Its a hard race to get many facts on. Also, are there any blogs you are following?

 

[stanegoli]

Not following any blogs, just getting my info off the official site..
...here it is

http://www.dakar.com/2007/DAK/LIVE/us/500/index.html

Enjoy, its really great.

 

[HARTY]

Hi Stan

I follow it because we have the lead driver in the cars (until yesterday when Giniels car caught alight)and also because we have 13 riders on bikes .The race has once again been marred by the death of one of our riders .Very sad

But I do enjoy the race .

Regards

Paul

 

[stanegoli]

Gonna promote this thread to announce Chris Blais of US is running third in bike class with only two stages remaining.

If I am not misaken we may be heading for best ever finish by a US rider.
Good to finally get in the game