2009 Dakar Rally - official thread

[jso1985]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/64687

Kinda dissapointed they didn't include Bolivia on their route, but still think they made a good decision, I know the rally won't be as spectacular as the original Dakar but let's be honest, defying the terrorists and go racing to the Sahara with the big risk of them getting killed with a bomb or something similar wasn't the best idea, I know this could mean the terrorists win but it's just a sport in the end and risking peoples lives for it wasn't worth.

[cosmicpanda]

so it's not the Dakar rally any more?

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[Brother John]

so it's not the Dakar rally any more?

Not Dakar and the word rally does not belong here also.
A better title would be, how I make more money on rich people.
They comes their to obtain som pleasure in a world where others have to do everything to survive.

[WRCfan]

It's another event I never liked until I watched the 2006 Dakar and each day's highlights. Now I think it's a fantastic event. If you look at it from tactics, the sheer endurance and what the drivers, teams, and cars go through to just get to the finish of each day is pretty amazing.

It's 100% a rally in my opinion, and one motorsport event (whether it's in south america, or Africa) that should be kept. If rich people want to go and blow their cash on motorsport rather than expensive apartments then fine by me! Gives us all something to watch!

[cosmicpanda]

Not Dakar and the word rally does not belong here also.
A better title would be, how I make more money on rich people.
They comes their to obtain som pleasure in a world where others have to do everything to survive.

And how is that different from the WRC when it goes to places like Mexico or maybe Turkey? There are certainly poor people there, and perhaps the passage of people with money through the region will help to boost the economy just a little.

[Lalo]

Count with me at the start ramp :D

[Daniel]

Not Dakar and the word rally does not belong here also.
A better title would be, how I make more money on rich people.
They comes their to obtain som pleasure in a world where others have to do everything to survive.

What is your problem with the Dakar rally? :confused: Did the Dakar rally crash your wife, steal your dog and sleep with your car? :p

[Mirek]

Milan Loprais was testing new upgrades on his Tatra 815-2ZO R45 12.400 4x4.1 truck as well as new co-driver Vojtěch Štajf (normaly Subaru Rally driver). Some interesting things in the article. They tested the car without speed limiter to give new FOX shock absorbers the hardest possible test. The car had top speed of cca 200 km/h and acceleration 0-100 km/h in 12 seconds with more than 800 Hp and 9 tons of mass :D

Some photos here:
http://www.loprais.cz/loprais/index.php?obsah=zobraz&id_clanku=434

[Zeakiwi]

When does the Dakar start, the official site is always slow to load ?

I guess the tv coverage will be as slim as usual.

[bluuford]

When does the Dakar start, the official site is always slow to load ?

I guess the tv coverage will be as slim as usual.

The first stage is on Saturday:-) it should start Saturday afternoon in GMT +1 or +2 time zone
The first coverage is in Friday midnight in Eurosport (GMT +2) and from there on every evening at 20:15 and 00:00 (GMT +2)

[Psycho!]

Concerning the route,is there something in common with WRC??

[Woodeye]

Not Dakar and the word rally does not belong here also.
A better title would be, how I make more money on rich people.
They comes their to obtain som pleasure in a world where others have to do everything to survive.

Why do you bother to moan about this every single time? If you don't like it, it still might be that some others do. For sure the old Dakar was a rally, not like WRC, but more of an endurance type of thing.

[ProRally]

Concerning the route,is there something in common with WRC??

They use the "El Condor" stages from WRC Argentina, probably longer but part of it is same as the stage in WRC.

That is all I think, not more, maybe from the 'old' Argentina stages away from Cordoba

Happy New year to all forumers !!!

[Tom206wrc]

Good luck to the McRae Enduro crews !!! :p :

[morganmilan]

But, why is this thread here in "world rally championship"?

[morganmilan]

Ein glückliches neues Jahre!!!!!

[bluuford]

But, why is this thread here in "world rally championship"?

because many wrc drivers are taking part of it... current ar former..
for example Sainz, Merkensteijn, Al attyah, Biasion, Pozzo,.. etc.
Nice to see how they are doing there:-)

[cosmicpanda]

I always like the long distance rallies as it's something that you don't see in the WRC. Some of the Dakar's single stages have been longer than the competitive sections combined of entire WRC rallies...

[wrc_flipper]

Dakar Route and preview on
http://www.rallybuzz.com/dakar-2009-stage-details/
http://www.rallybuzz.com/dakar-2009-preview/

[gloomyDAY]

Wow, time just flies.

Go Mitsu!

[Halvis]

Another diversion here from WRC, what I really like about the Dakar is the bike class - that is really some tough drivers! 7-8 hours on their bikes, no rest at all, not to mention the danger - much more dangerous than the cars. Almost all the casualities is unfortunately in the bikes class.

[gloomyDAY]

Does Eurosport cover Dakar?

[Wim_Impreza]

Does Eurosport cover Dakar?

Yes, they will do it every day. There is already this evening a preview at 23:00 (Belgian time).

[Tom206wrc]

Al Attiyah leading after stage one, in front of Sainz, de Villiers, Miller, Alphand and Peterhansel,... :cool:

[jonas_mcrae]

i watched the eurosport coverage today, not bad at all, the LIVE interviews sometimes took a few minutes to get going but overall ok, eye in sky is quite good, hope they take the good bits of that to the Monte coverage.

Glad to see familiar wrc (pwrc) faces leading, that BMW seemed very fast in Al Attiyah's hands. Sainz said he took it easy because it was very dusty but still looked all right.

kind of like that Lancer (even though it doesn't look anything like a Lancer!!)

[ZequeArgentina]

i watched the eurosport coverage today, not bad at all, the LIVE interviews sometimes took a few minutes to get going but overall ok, eye in sky is quite good, hope they take the good bits of that to the Monte coverage.



Where do you have "Eye in the Sky" for the Dakar???

[noel157]

i watched the eurosport coverage today, not bad at all, the LIVE interviews sometimes took a few minutes to get going but overall ok, eye in sky is quite good, hope they take the good bits of that to the Monte coverage.



Where do you have "Eye in the Sky" for the Dakar???

Think he means the ordinary helicopter coverage?

[bluuford]

by the way.. if you miss all the first two broadcasts from Eurosport, then there is third one as well. It starts just after the official program is finished.

[WRCfan]

Good to be back with the Dakar! Some shots of those bikers stuck in soft sand Day 2, and the cars just BLAST past them! Lucky people are not run over! the dust makes conditions very hard for everyone.

Nice to see Robbie Gordon giving it max throttle in the soft stuff and putting up huuuuge rooster tails everywhere! Haha!

[gloomyDAY]

Good to be back with the Dakar! Some shots of those bikers stuck in soft sand Day 2, and the cars just BLAST past them! Lucky people are not run over! the dust makes conditions very hard for everyone.

Nice to see Robbie Gordon giving it max throttle in the soft stuff and putting up huuuuge rooster tails everywhere! Haha!I'm having just as much fun watching Robbie. I love the Hummer's suspension. You could fit a biker in there, easy!

Next stage is full of sand dunes. I cannot wait. :D

[Barreis]

Croatian crew Danijel Šaškin/Damir Bruner, nmb. 492, first two stages good work.. SS3 big problems..

[urabus-denoS2000]

It seemy that Pascal Terry has died on rally Dakar.

RIP

[Daniel]

It seemy that Pascal Terry has died on rally Dakar.

RIP
:( RIP

[noel157]

Very sad. He had been missing since Sunday and was found only 15m away from his bike. It appears it was not a direct result of a crash.
I presume he was unable or felt he didn't need to press the button on the SOS box? Do the bikes and cars etc not have some sort of GPS system where the ASO people can see exactly where each entrant is located?

[gloomyDAY]

Very sad. He had been missing since Sunday and was found only 15m away from his bike. It appears it was not a direct result of a crash.
I presume he was unable or felt he didn't need to press the button on the SOS box? Do the bikes and cars etc not have some sort of GPS system where the ASO people can see exactly where each entrant is located?Good question! I was thinking the same thing. Any insight people?

Just caught Stage 3 and am ready to watch Stage 4.
Great rally so far, spectacular actually!

[Ghostwalker]

also read here (http://eurosport.yahoo.com/08012009/58/dakar-2009-french-biker-found-dead.html) that:
A spokesman for the organisers told the Argentine cable news channel TN that Terry had radioed on Sunday to say he had run out of fuel but contacted them again shortly afterwards to say he had got some from another competitor.
Later the same day he sent an emergency signal and a search was launched, although it was interrupted when organisers were wrongly informed that he had turned up at the finishing point for the rally's fourth stage in Neuquen.additional news:
http://www.eurosport.se/rallyraid/dakar/2009/terry-hade-kunnat-raddas_sto1802951/story.shtml

The Police says that Terry could have been saved if he had been found on time.
The Autopsy revealed that he died from Pulmonary edema (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulmonary_edema) that caused Cardiac arrest
He died sometime during monday to tuesday morning says polischief Julio Acosta.

[Salist]

End of Dakar Rally for Peter van Merksteijn :(

Source: http://www.rallybuzz.com/van-merksteijn-retired-dakar/

[Ghostwalker]

http://www.eurosport.se/rallyraid/dakar/2009/thorner-diskad_sto1803702/story.shtml

Nasser Al Attiyah and Tina Thörner have been disqualified because of that they missed 5 control points during todays stage whichs is = DSQ (1-4 missed is 2 hour penelty for each). the team boss says that they had problems with grass in the cooler causing the engine to overheat. Therefore they took the decision to go around the dunes resulting in missed controll points.

[bluuford]

I watched yesterdays stage from Eurosport and it was great. That was really awesome how the current rally leader took one climb. It was so steep that you even cannot walk on it :-)

So, who we have left from rally drivers (current and former):
Sainz 2nd
HOLOWCZYC 7th
Kuipers 10th
Kahle 21th
Chicherit 25th
McRae (co-driver) 51th
Pozzo 61th

And retired so far:
1. Attiyah
2. Biasion
3. Merksteijn

[Barreis]

I would like to see a WRC live coverage again (after more than 5 years - GB rally)..

[Wim_Impreza]

I watched yesterdays stage from Eurosport and it was great. That was really awesome how the current rally leader took one climb. It was so steep that you even cannot walk on it :-)

So, who we have left from rally drivers (current and former):
Sainz 2nd
HOLOWCZYC 7th
Kuipers 10th
Kahle 21th
Chicherit 25th
McRae (co-driver) 51th
Pozzo 61th

And retired so far:
1. Attiyah
2. Biasion
3. Merksteijn

You have forgotten Dieter Depping. Belgian driver Stéphane Henrard (retired) has done a bit rally too, as example the 'Boucles de Spa' in the past. As you probably know, Holowczyc drives with a Nissan of Overdrive, the team from Grégoire de Mévius.

[Mirek]

Photos from Petr Lusk: http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=747&fotograf=2&all=1

[noel157]

]Photos from Petr Lusk: http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=747&fotograf=2&all=1

Superb pictures as usual, Lusk must be one of the world's best rally photographers.

[Mirek]

Fantastic gallery: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/01/the_2009_dakar_rally.html#photo20

http://cache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/dakar_01_12/19_17530393.jpg

[noel157]

Agree Mirek, superb. Thanks.

[Ghostwalker]

yeah those photos were really nice.

Just heard on eurosports evening résumé that tomorrows stage is cancelled because of fog.

[cosmicpanda]

Why can't the WRC have a stage with dunes in it?

[gloomyDAY]

Why can't the WRC have a stage with dunes in it?Just got a raging hard-on at the thought of that in the WRC.

Spectacular photos, just epic!

[Daniel]

Why can't the WRC have a stage with dunes in it?

Errr because that's Rallye Raid, not special stage rallying :)

[Barreis]

The best pictures I 've seen for a long time..

[cosmicpanda]

Errr because that's Rallye Raid, not special stage rallying :)

There's precedent - well, I would expect that the desert crossing stage, some 776 kms, would have had something at least a little like a dune in it:

http://www.juwra.com/morocco_1976.html

Looks like it was a hell of a rally. :D


Yes, I do realise that a 776 km stage would somewhat exceed the length regulations for a WRC rally.

[Barreis]

Croatian crew D.Šaškin-D.Bruner, nmb. 492 retired..

[Wim_Impreza]

Do you mean the rallydriver Daniel Šaškin?

[urabus-denoS2000]

Yes

[Brother John]

My first post here because I hate Dakar!
Dakar is only bad news even for ex. wrc drivers. :rolleyes:

http://www.dakar.com/

[urabus-denoS2000]

Oh no,I really feel sad for Sainz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great driver,but with a lot of bad luck.
He has entered Dakar for the last few years always by far the fast driver and never winning.........

And even worse an American is in the lead of this cross-country-raid

[Simmi]

Oh no,I really feel sad for Sainz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great driver,but with a lot of bad luck.
He has entered Dakar for the last few years always by far the fast driver and never winning.........

And even worse an American is in the lead of this cross-country-raid

What's your problem with an American leading the thing? The Dakar is all about survival and Mark Miller seems like a decent guy.

[gloomyDAY]

Carlitos! Nooooooooooooooooo..... :(


My first post here because I hate Dakar!
Dakar is only bad news even for ex. wrc drivers. :rolleyes:

http://www.dakar.com/I hope this is also your last post. Dakar is tough, not like the WRC where you go out for a nice afternoon drive and sleep in a comfortable hotel at night.



Oh no,I really feel sad for Sainz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great driver,but with a lot of bad luck.
He has entered Dakar for the last few years always by far the fast driver and never winning.........

And even worse an American is in the lead of this cross-country-raidMoron.

I guess you've never heard of the Baja 1000, right?
Miller isn't some inexperienced chump. He deserves to be at the top.

[Daniel]

I agree with Gloomyday. Yes John we know you hate the Dakar :)

[urabus-denoS2000]

I didnt know about it the Baja 1000 I admit it,and I still dont know about it :D

If its like that and Miller is a good croos-country driver,they I pull back my unthoughtfull comment ;)

And no need to call names,OK? ;)

No offense ;)

[Mirek]

Carlos's Volkswagen...
http://www.vg.no/uploaded/image/bilderigg/2009/01/15/1232041874637_592.jpg

[Daniel]

]Carlos's Volkswagen...
http://www.vg.no/uploaded/image/bilderigg/2009/01/15/1232041874637_592.jpg
Wtf happened?

[ShiftingGears]

Sainz :(

[noel157]

Very fortunate:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rKK-tW46vcU

[Daniel]

Very fortunate:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rKK-tW46vcU

Frigging hell. That must have been a huuuuuge fall.

[L5->R5/CR]

I didnt know about it the Baja 1000 I admit it,and I still dont know about it :D

If its like that and Miller is a good croos-country driver,they I pull back my unthoughtfull comment ;)

And no need to call names,OK? ;)

No offense ;)


Both Miller and Gordon are highly successful off-road and raid type racing drivers...

[Ranger]

Frigging hell. That must have been a huuuuuge fall.

Well, I suppose I can only imagine what its like to fall 4 metres. :s hock:

What a terrible shame that someone who was leading by 15+ minutes crashes out because of pace notes that don't include a huge 4 metre drop. You could see the disappontment on Carlos' face when he was told he couldn't continue because of his co-driver's injury.

Fortunately it could have been a lot worse for all involved.

[Brother John]

I hope this is also your last post. Dakar is tough, not like the WRC where you go out for a nice afternoon drive and sleep in a comfortable hotel at night.


Sorry if you don´t like it but "No it is not my last post" http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/characters/character0114.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/freesmiley.php?smiley=characters/character0114.gif)
I agree entirely with you about the current modern WRC rallies.

[bluuford]

Organizers do recheck the route couple of days before the stage is live but it can change very quickly. There was some hard rain in recent days and you need only couple of hours to form that kind of small 4 m "canyon". It showed Carlos pace notes in Eurosport and there was double caution that there is a dry river bed. As the rallyraid is not in certain closed track then such things can happen. Carlos just tends to be very unlucky very often. And there is quite a huge luck factor in Dakar.. always. It looks like replay of Rally GB when he lost WRC title.. with the difference that that there is no window on the back side of VW.

[Nenukknak]

..................... and sleep in a comfortable hotel at night.


Although I understand with this year's Dakar that's not entirely the case.

It's a great event though, only a shame they have to cut so many stages short. I believe todays stage is also shortened to about 200+KM.

[Nenukknak]

As for Sainz, the BMW-driver in front of him (just) made it, he was too fast and couldn't hold it. And Roma was so lucky or else we would have a MitsuVW doubledecker.

Shame for Carlos, I bet ten years ago crossed his mind.

[gloomyDAY]

I didnt know about it the Baja 1000 I admit it,and I still dont know about it :D

If its like that and Miller is a good croos-country driver,they I pull back my unthoughtfull comment ;)

And no need to call names,OK? ;)

No offense ;) Sorry about the name calling.

Agree to disagree?


Although I understand with this year's Dakar that's not entirely the case.

It's a great event though, only a shame they have to cut so many stages short. I believe todays stage is also shortened to about 200+KM.Yeah, the top drivers got to sleep at some hotels.
Apparently there were SUVs waiting on the drivers. :rolleyes:

I'm a bit peeved about the shortening of the rally. I completely understand it, but at the same time feel as if more could have happened if the route wasn't shortened.

[Sulland]

Norwegian adventurer Ivar Tollefsen is in 4th place in a Nissan. That is a big achievement !!!

[Ghostwalker]

Norwegian adventurer Ivar Tollefsen is in 4th place in a Nissan. That is a big achievement !!!

yeah thats great. is he a privateer?

[urabus-denoS2000]

First stage win for Mitsubishi ;)

[Mirek]

First time a diesel won, first time Volkswagen. Mitsubishi hegemony is over with new car and new engine. A little bit like when Mitsu switched from Evo 6.5 gr.A for WRC Step.1...

The best Mitsubishi is seventh placed Czech Zapletal with privatly entered L200 pickup...

[Wim_Impreza]

yeah thats great. is he a privateer?

Yes, he is the first privateer in this Dakar.

[pantealex]

]First time a diesel won, first time Volkswagen.
and first time African won!!!

[bluuford]

Yes, he is the first privateer in this Dakar.

Gordon is more or less privateer as well and he was third. He told that he gets little support from Hummer, but it is marginal. The only factory cars were VW*4 Mitsu*4 and BMW *4

[rockpoll]

Fantastic gallery from Dakar!
http://www.wrumwrum.pl/galeria/offroad?album=7&gallery=142

[alleskids]

Marcus Gronholm is interested in doing the 2010 Dakar rally. He does not fancy doing the rally in Africa, but the chances are big that the Dakar rally will again be held in Sout America. They are planing to do the reverse route, but also doing a bit into Brasil.

[CABAIO E'LONA]

I hope that see the dakar running here again ...with Marcus Gronholm