Just got done watching the Robby Gordon Dakar special. Its amazing how he is involved in every tiny aspect of the Dakar build and prep, yet is doing the same with the Stadium Super Trucks and Baja stuff. Its a very different experience from some of the manufacturer teams drivers.
Dakar 2015
#1
Posted 26 December 2014 - 17:09
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#2
Posted 26 December 2014 - 17:53
Robby Gordon is Robby Gordon. A pretty stubborn man, who wants it to be his way, or no way. But he is actually quite good at the things he does!
#3
Posted 26 December 2014 - 20:38
Finally, the countdown to the first big motorsport event of 2015 started!
It seems to be a very interesting route this year, they will get to Copiapo fairly early compared to previous years, which can make all the difference for drivers trying to establish their positions.
I must say that I love the fact that they split bikes and others rest days! This way we will get a lot more stuff in the highlights.
Also, hey are bringing back the marathon stages for cars and trucks! This should spice the cars up especially, since their competition grew a bit dull in recent years... Plus it will bring back the experience to top drivers, who unlike others, tend to go to hotels and spas after each special... They would have no such comfort in Sahara.
However, now that I am looking at the detailed information about each days route, I see only marathon for bikes and trucks. I don't see marathon stage for cars.
Things to look forward:
- Despres debut in cars
- can Peugeot challenge Minis?
- quads: none of Patronelli brothers are racing this year (no wonder, one of them almost died when his quad fell off a huge mountain last year) so it might be even more interesting than usually
- Kamaz vs De Rooy
#4
Posted 26 December 2014 - 21:47
I would watch this I really would, but is there any way I can watch it without that cretin commentating on Eurosport?
#5
Posted 26 December 2014 - 21:50
I would watch this I really would, but is there any way I can watch it without that cretin commentating on Eurosport?
Mute the sound?
#6
Posted 26 December 2014 - 23:09
I loved watching/following it when it was the Paris-Dakar rally.
Sadly since it moved to South America it hasn't been the same for me.
Something is missing.
#7
Posted 26 December 2014 - 23:35
Just got done watching the Robby Gordon Dakar special. Its amazing how he is involved in every tiny aspect of the Dakar build and prep, yet is doing the same with the Stadium Super Trucks and Baja stuff. Its a very different experience from some of the manufacturer teams drivers.
he is crazy
hes also ended up with a series he races in, with his name in the title, sponsored by his own energy drink, in a truck he helped design and build
#8
Posted 28 December 2014 - 10:39
#9
Posted 28 December 2014 - 12:23
Is British Eurosport showing the 2015 Dakar or has it finally been dropped in favour of watching paint dry masquerading as sport, snooker. There does not appear to be anything showing on the scheduling for next Sunday.
Schedule on their website shows highlights at 10:30pm UK time next Sunday so I would assume coverage will be the same as the last few years.
#10
Posted 28 December 2014 - 13:09
Schedule on their website shows highlights at 10:30pm UK time next Sunday so I would assume coverage will be the same as the last few years.
Ah great, thanks for that. EPG only goes a full week and no more and I couldn't find anything on the Eurosport site.
#11
Posted 28 December 2014 - 13:52
I loved watching/following it when it was the Paris-Dakar rally.
Sadly since it moved to South America it hasn't been the same for me.
Something is missing.
Same here. I guess it became a victim of its own success in Africa.
#12
Posted 28 December 2014 - 13:55
I agree that it is not the same, but it still a great rally and it's not like there's much motorsport in January, unless you want to torment yourself with the gimmicks of 24 hours of Dubai.
#13
Posted 28 December 2014 - 15:09
Any news on the Android/iOS apps for 2015? The site still links to 2014 apps
#14
Posted 28 December 2014 - 17:37
Can't find any, maybe a new one will appear in 2015.Any news on the Android/iOS apps for 2015? The site still links to 2014 apps
#15
Posted 29 December 2014 - 18:39
http://www.corsaonli...r-electrico.php
First time that a fully electric car will compete, apparently: It's the Acciona 100% EcoPowered developed in Spain. It works with lithium batteries and, according to the source, it can reach 300 bhp.
#16
Posted 29 December 2014 - 19:06
How can it have enough range? And where will they plug it in at night in a bivouac?
#17
Posted 29 December 2014 - 19:36
Can't find any, maybe a new one will appear in 2015.
It's out, it looks like the 2014 app that's been named 2015. There are a few new pics and vids and count down clock but nothing else new yet. IIRC last year they didn't start adding content until a couple of days before the rally.
#18
Posted 29 December 2014 - 19:40
How can it have enough range? And where will they plug it in at night in a bivouac?
Apparently they will be allowed to swap batteries from a service truck that has a charger onboard during the stages much like the bikes are able to refuel.
They have a page for the rally... http://www.accionadakar.es/en/
#19
Posted 29 December 2014 - 21:27
motorstv have the amatureish africa race / dakar clone, schedualed for 11.30 in evenings i think
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#20
Posted 29 December 2014 - 21:44
How can it have enough range? And where will they plug it in at night in a bivouac?
Cute! ...I'm sure they have fully charged battery packs strategically sprinkled along the route much like the normal gas guzzlers have their re-fueling points.
#21
Posted 30 December 2014 - 00:56
motorstv have the amatureish africa race / dakar clone, schedualed for 11.30 in evenings i think
Ah, the real Paris-Dakar...
#22
Posted 30 December 2014 - 13:38
motorstv have the amatureish africa race / dakar clone, schedualed for 11.30 in evenings i think
Probably for the best. Be so amateurish that Al-Qaeda don't know you exist...
#23
Posted 30 December 2014 - 19:36
Cute! ...I'm sure they have fully charged battery packs strategically sprinkled along the route much like the normal gas guzzlers have their re-fueling points.
Indeed. But as the bivouacs tend to be in less than urban places, there will probably be no mains power. So the electric car will need a massive, probably diesel-powered generator or two to charge its battery packs, and a presumably diesel powered truck to carry the spare packs into the stages. Really, what IS the point?
#24
Posted 30 December 2014 - 23:16
Indeed. But as the bivouacs tend to be in less than urban places, there will probably be no mains power. So the electric car will need a massive, probably diesel-powered generator or two to charge its battery packs, and a presumably diesel powered truck to carry the spare packs into the stages. Really, what IS the point?
It's a technology showcase, not to prove a practical or environmental point. My understanding from someone down there right now is the service truck will carry and charge the batteries. For many a plug in electric isn't a good choice for street driving because of range. I know some folks with Nissan Leafs and they're great commuter cars, but low on range. The Tesla, OTOH, pretty good range but a pretty steep price tag to match.
#25
Posted 30 December 2014 - 23:44
I would watch this I really would, but is there any way I can watch it without that cretin commentating on Eurosport?
Oh noes...
It's Carlton Kirby time again?
What an ass.
PS... I use Amphi's novel method too but have my wife standing by to start shouting at me if my finger should accidentally slip off the mute button.
Jp
Edited by jonpollak, 30 December 2014 - 23:46.
#26
Posted 31 December 2014 - 11:02
Love the Dakar, the big show is finally here. This year it looks like another hard route, the DNF rate will probably exceed the 50% mark. Hope the ASO will not have to intervene too much. And of course I'm waiting for Marc Coma to write history again. #legend
#27
Posted 31 December 2014 - 15:54
Indeed. But as the bivouacs tend to be in less than urban places, there will probably be no mains power. So the electric car will need a massive, probably diesel-powered generator or two to charge its battery packs, and a presumably diesel powered truck to carry the spare packs into the stages. Really, what IS the point?
I give you solar! ...Plenty of it in the southern hemisphere at this time of the year. And should the infrastructure of solar power generators in these bivouacs be thought through,it will benefit the locals too no? Making the event even more welcome..Or am I just daydreaming.....
#28
Posted 31 December 2014 - 15:56
Sounds like they need you more than you need them!
#29
Posted 31 December 2014 - 16:08
Man, I am so not ready for Carlton Kirby.
#30
Posted 31 December 2014 - 17:42
Over at the actual Paris -> Dakar, Pål Anders Ullevålseter is showing how big difference it is from this rally, and to the "Dakar - far away from Dakar". After 2 stages he is over 1hr in front of number 2.
#31
Posted 31 December 2014 - 18:04
Over at the actual Paris -> Dakar, Pål Anders Ullevålseter is showing how big difference it is from this rally, and to the "Dakar - far away from Dakar". After 2 stages he is over 1hr in front of number 2.
Doesn't surprise me at all, the traffic in Paris at rush hour can be hell.
#32
Posted 31 December 2014 - 21:01
I give you solar! ...Plenty of it in the southern hemisphere at this time of the year.
At night? And you would need a lot of solar panels to get the sort of power needed to recharge the battery packs of this car.
Sp we have an electric car that needs new batteries several times each stage, with a fleet of support trucks and personnel setting up solar farms for it at each overnight halt. This is getting more & more elaborate.
#33
Posted 01 January 2015 - 01:16
BRG.I think you are missing my point. I envisage they will at some stage have fully charged (by solar during daylight hours!) battery packs ready for swap-over at those bivouacs refuelling points... and so on and so on until the next bivouac. Another point,once said bivouac is fully functional, re power generation,it can also be utilised for other purposes.After all power can be utilised for all sorts of things...As the technology progresses, things will only get better no? I mean, it was only like yesteryear it was inconceivable that computers once complex machines only boffins with college degrees could master... would one day be disposable things we all take for granted nowadays?.....Like it or not, the future is electrifying mate!
#34
Posted 01 January 2015 - 12:55
#35
Posted 01 January 2015 - 17:14
I'm not sure but I don't think I've ever listened to Carlton Kirby commentate. I feel lucky.
Time for that to change, me thinks.
#36
Posted 01 January 2015 - 17:42
I'm not sure why every year there are people who seem to have beef with Carlton Kirby. I for one enjoy his commentary on Dakar.
#37
Posted 01 January 2015 - 18:52
BRG.I think you are missing my point.
Not really. I exaggerate a little to make my point perhaps. Which is that I cannot see how the cause of electric traction is advanced by demonstrating that it isn't able to operate without a lavish support structure. Showing how unready this technology still is simply makes people less inclined to take it seriously. Just like Formula E's inability to complete a race without a change of car strengthens peoples' concerns about the range of electric vehicles.
#38
Posted 01 January 2015 - 19:01
I'm not sure why every year there are people who seem to have beef with Carlton Kirby. I for one enjoy his commentary on Dakar.
Who is Carlton Kirby?
#39
Posted 01 January 2015 - 19:18
Not really. I exaggerate a little to make my point perhaps. Which is that I cannot see how the cause of electric traction is advanced by demonstrating that it isn't able to operate without a lavish support structure. Showing how unready this technology still is simply makes people less inclined to take it seriously. Just like Formula E's inability to complete a race without a change of car strengthens peoples' concerns about the range of electric vehicles.
Well,gotta start somewhere..just like the era of internal combustion engines also had an evolutionary beginning. I'm sure it also had its critics back then..It's fledgling days for this leccy marlakey and I for one feel privileged witnessing the dawn of a new era seriously challenging fossil fuels as the only accepted mode of powering vehicles.
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#40
Posted 02 January 2015 - 09:24
Who is Carlton Kirby?
A British Eurosport commentator who is usually the commentator for their Dakar program ( also does cycling reporting ).
I like him as a commentator, his voice has a fatherly tone to it
#41
Posted 02 January 2015 - 10:28
He writes very very interesting portraits of former racing drivers in Pitwalk (German magazine).
#42
Posted 02 January 2015 - 11:37
Are they planning to go back to Africa one day?
#43
Posted 02 January 2015 - 12:24
Personally I enjoy the Dakar since it moved from Africa, way, way more. I mean, just look at those Andes. Look at them...
#44
Posted 02 January 2015 - 14:02
I'm trying to find out how old Carlton Kirby is. Wikipedia suggests he may have been to school with one or all of Sebastian (and Baron) Coe, Philip Hensher and Def Leppard.
Edited by Risil, 02 January 2015 - 14:02.
#45
Posted 02 January 2015 - 17:23
I'm trying to find out how old Carlton Kirby is. Wikipedia suggests he may have been to school with one or all of Sebastian (and Baron) Coe, Philip Hensher and Def Leppard.
In the best tradition of Cary Grant, try sending him a telegram "How old Carlton Kirby?". With luck, he will answer "Old Carlton Kirby fine. How you?"
#46
Posted 03 January 2015 - 02:34
A telegram?...WTF is one of those?....Why not just text or send an email??
#47
Posted 03 January 2015 - 05:50
A telegram?...WTF is one of those?....Why not just text or send an email??
A telegram is what Carlton Kirby used to send texts...
Edited by loki, 03 January 2015 - 05:56.
#48
Posted 03 January 2015 - 13:33
He is fairly obviously very well connected with French sports broadcasters somehow as he never seem to go away. And can possibly write a lot beter than he commenates.
I do think he speaks quite a few languages which is manna from heaven to Eurosport as they seem to think that is more important than actual journalistic quality.
Never heard such a feckless imbecile hold a microphone in my life, I know it must be difficult, but this guy really is the worst I have ever heard and simply him being there at big events is enough to make me turn off the tv.
Sorry, but he really is that garbage.
#49
Posted 04 January 2015 - 12:34
I am curious at which stage Gordon will f*** it up. I'll go with the third stage.
#50
Posted 04 January 2015 - 13:32
A telegram?...WTF is one of those?....Why not just text or send an email??
Oh, to be young and ignorant again....
It was a famous anecdote about Cary Grant, who (in case you have never heard of him either) was a Hollywood star back when Bernie Ecclestone was in his prime.