70 replies to this topic

[shotcaller]

Anyone know why they are going to only race in Peru this year?

 

Robby and his team are back:

http://www.planetrob...019-dakar-rally

 

Hope for Loeb to go far this year.

 

[loki]

None of the other countries were willing to host or had the political/economic climate to make it not possible.  Chile pulled out in May and Argentina and Bolivia weren't interested in hosting again. It's a bunch of short loops now with groups of stages in the same general area before moving to another general area.  Looks like next year it will go back to Africa with Algeria rumored to be the location.

 

Gordon is entering three UTVs but the one he's driving will be competing against the cars.  It will be interesting to see how he does.  I'm more interested to see how Cole Potts will do in his maiden attempt in one of Gordon's entries.  They've got factory support from Textron.  While it's badged as a Textron Wildcat (they also make Arctic Cat snow machines) the car and suspension was built at RGM in Charlotte.

 

Another American off road racer, Casey Currie,(of rear end and gear manufacturer Currie Enterprises) is making a maiden run in UTV with a Can-Am factory backed effort.

Edited by loki, 29 December 2018 - 00:48.

[Fatgadget]

Dakar in South America= Meh

 

Doesn't do it for me no more sorry.

[HistoryFan]

I think it's one of the last times in South Africa.

[PiperPa42]

I think it's one of the last times in South Africa.

It's never been in South Africa.

 

I'll be happy to see it return to Africa. I understand why they left, but it wasn't realy the same to me.

[TheGoldenStoffel]

Hopefully they'll go back to Africa one day, the one in South America they call Dakar these days simply doesn't interest me for some reason.

[messy]

Dakar does absolutely nothing for me anymore. But neither did NASCAR and I managed to get into that in 2018, so for 2019 the shortlist is Rally raids, WTCR or Motocross and I'll force myself to get into one of them.

[Frood]

It's never been in South Africa.

 

I'll be happy to see it return to Africa. I understand why they left, but it wasn't realy the same to me.

 

It did in 1992! Crazy route that year.

 

[loki]

It's never been in South Africa.

 

I'll be happy to see it return to Africa. I understand why they left, but it wasn't realy the same to me.

 

I think he meant South America chap.     I think the return to Africa may be a little lackluster compared to the days when it went to Senegal.   It's likely Algeria and maybe Tunisia but the vast wilderness it was before isn't likely to happen.  Those countries are too small, they'll have to run loop stages. Unless you head down through central Africa it's going to be Paris to different loops in the host (or either) country.  I like it either way.  I miss the olden days but it's the sheer endurance aspect I dig.  Plus watching the "trash trucks" bound through the terrain is a joy.

 

EDIT:  Looking at the topology of Algeria it looks like they may be able to do one full loop and have it be about as long as it was to Dakar.  I've been to Algeria but only Algiers.  We didn't rock the Casbah, only a hotel ballroom.   (but we did see the Casbah) Never seen what the rest of the country looks like.  It's a lot of sand I'd guess...  Looks like if the mountains down in the southeast aren't too big they could run through that.

Edited by loki, 30 December 2018 - 01:20.

[Lotusse7en]

It did in 1992! Crazy route that year.

 

 

It used to be called the Paris - Dakar . In 1992 it was the Paris - Cape Town rally . They had to avoid Dakar ( all of Senegal ) entirely

Edited by Lotusse7en, 30 December 2018 - 18:06.

[Fatgadget]

Hopefully they'll go back to Africa one day, the one in South America they call Dakar these days simply doesn't interest me for some reason.

You are not alone mate. It's a bit like staging the Acropolis rally in Mongolia!

[Fatgadget]

It did in 1992! Crazy route that year.

 

http://www.newsdzezi...-in-harare.html

That is just bonkers! I didn't really get into the Dakar until the Optic 2000 event.

[BRG]

I think a Dakar wholly in Peru is the end of the road really.  Unless they get back to Africa, it will just wither away.

[nordschleife]

Paris to Capetown - Wow!  Now that's a test of mobility. Which is what the point of "motorsport" should ultimately be. A little faster than the next stripped-down machine? That's small beer. Can you actually get there from here? Now that's a demonstration the world can learn from. And a "trash truck" carrying supplies to the furthest outposts? That's heroic.

[GenJackRipper]

Wouldn't a race through the interior of Australia be similair to the original thing; meaning going through harsh terrain in crazy temperatures?

[Fatgadget]

Wouldn't a race through the interior of Australia be similair to the original thing; meaning going through harsh terrain in crazy temperatures?

It wouldn't be  the 'Dakar' though would it? Has to be something with its unique DNA.  There was the London to Sidney way back when more in line with the Paris Dakar but I dread to imagine the logistics let alone the costs of such an event these days!

[Requiem84]

What is the best way to follow this?

[loki]

What is the best way to follow this?

 If you are in the US it's on NBCSN, half hour recap the next day.  

 

Otherwise https://www.dakar.com/en is good.   Eurosport has it and Red Bull TV has some good coverage.  The coverage consists of highlights provided by ASO with the broadcast outlet providing additional interviews and commentary.

[BRG]

Are they going to start any time soon?  The Dakar always used to start on New Year's Day, why so late? 

[loki]

They're running right now.

 

Top 3 finishers for this stage

 

Spoiler

 

1 Al-Attiyah

2 Sainz -1:59

3 Przygonski -2:00

 

 

[Myrvold]

Are they going to start any time soon?  The Dakar always used to start on New Year's Day, why so late? 

Shorter event.

Edited by Myrvold, 07 January 2019 - 21:31.

[dweller23]

Well, looks like this year's Dakar will be a weird one. On one hand I've never been a fan of WRC parts of South America Dakars, but Peru only will feel a bit lackluster, especially since there are less stages and they're going to go fairly similar route back after rest day. No idea how Africa Eco Rally pulls it off in Africa and have no problems that Dakar used to have, but I can see end of the road for Dakar in South America after 2019. Of course a lot is down to politics, let's remember that 5 or so years ago Peru said they'd never be back on Dakar and now they're the sole country hosting it.

[loki]

Africa Eco is a much smaller race in terms of participants and scale.  It's like comparing the Indianapolis 500 to a sprint car race at IRP.  Add to that the situation in Mauritania isn't what it was when the race moved from Africa.  The marquee of the Dakar brand was a larger target for any potential terrorism than the relatively small Africa Eco Rally.  Much of the reason the ASO stayed in South America was money.  That doesn't seem to be the case any more.   I'd enjoy a race from Las Vegas to Cabo San Lucas but that wouldn't be like either Africa or South America.

[balage06]

Good one

https://twitter.com/...224324289986561

[statman]

Good one

https://twitter.com/...224324289986561

 

wouldn't have surprised me though if true, Coronel and something irregular 

 

[Imateria]

Africa Eco is a much smaller race in terms of participants and scale.  It's like comparing the Indianapolis 500 to a sprint car race at IRP.  Add to that the situation in Mauritania isn't what it was when the race moved from Africa.  The marquee of the Dakar brand was a larger target for any potential terrorism than the relatively small Africa Eco Rally.  Much of the reason the ASO stayed in South America was money.  That doesn't seem to be the case any more.   I'd enjoy a race from Las Vegas to Cabo San Lucas but that wouldn't be like either Africa or South America.

I thought most of the problems that forced out the Dakar were in Mali, which as far as I know (which admitedly isn't much on this subject) hasn't got much better with Boko Haram in attendance.

[dweller23]

One thing that rally being much smaller than usually should provide is closer battle. I know it's only S2, but usually after S2 we're starting to see shape of things to come, but this year all categories (maybe except for quads) are super close and I don't see the margins getting any bigger. It sort of reminds me one of those Dakars where you didn't know whether Coma or Despres would win, but with more competitors.

[Reddington]

wouldn't have surprised me though if true, Coronel and something irregular

Yeah that was scary. If I remember correctly that is when his brakes completely failed, right?

[loki]

I thought most of the problems that forced out the Dakar were in Mali, which as far as I know (which admitedly isn't much on this subject) hasn't got much better with Boko Haram in attendance.

 

In previous years they ran through Mali but changed for that year due to instability.  That part of the route was to be through Mauritania when they were directly threatened and over Christmas a French family was murdered there by terrorists.  It's still pretty sketchy in eastern Mauritania and Mali.  Africa Eco did have to cancel the first stage in Mauritania this year but that was due to customs/visa issues and confusion.  They sorted it out and were able to carry on with the other stages in the country.

[Stephane]

Good one

https://twitter.com/...224324289986561

 

Been there, done that.

Edited by Stephane, 09 January 2019 - 08:20.

[Risil]

Before we go any further can I confirm whether the Africa Eco Rally centres around solving a murder in an Italian monastery, or for that matter a shadowy international conspiracy surrounding the lost treasures of the Knights Templar.

[Exb]

Talking of the Africa Eco race:

https://twitter.com/...3503065089?s=19

[BRG]

Just out of interest, what exactly is 'Eco' about a bunch of vehicles bombing around Western Africa at high speeds?

[Myrvold]

Just out of interest, what exactly is 'Eco' about a bunch of vehicles bombing around Western Africa at high speeds?

From Wiki
 

Both the participants and the organization as a commitment to take care not to leave harmful traces of their passage through countries. A series of projects will aim to use renewable resources to a long-term contribution to the lives of people in remote areas of several countries that the race will cross. These actions are tangible and lasting.

The organization is leading the way, giving all participants reusable flatware kits for any event. Some organization vehicles are equipped with solar panels to use the energy stored during the day to carry out their missions.

The organization of the Africa Eco Race also created two projects for power generation using photovoltaic panels in Mauritania to power a school in Nouakchott and a library in Chinguetti.

For the environment, was created a category for experimental vehicles powered by renewable energy, designed to test at large scale and under extreme conditions, the reliability, power, strength and endurance of these vehicles. In 2011 Africa Eco Race funded the planting of native 3000 eucalyptus in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

[BRG]

Ah, right, so just a bunch of b*****ks then.

 

Is it OK to say that I have decided that I am simply not interested in the Peruvian Rally Raid?  It could be any of the many Raids and Bajas.  It has lost its USP.  It is a shadow of its former South American self which was in turn already a shadow if its African self.  Like the other great motoring challenges - the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, Carrera Panamericana, Alpine Rally, Leige-Sofia-Liege Rally, the East African Safari etc - it has died.  Stick a fork in it, this one's done.                                                                        

[OvDrone]

Yeah, it's really difficult to care about this because it's just on some random dunes in Southern Peru.

 

I absolutely enjoyed the past near decade of the Dakar in South America. I'm a heretic and I thought it was way better than the Western Sahara. South America is utterly gorgeous and the variety of landscape was the real star of the show.

 

Bless Peru, I adore the country but this is just another rally raid and not the Dakar. I'll keep snooping the highlights now and then just because I am so bloody starved of Motorsport and am quite the Loeb fanatic.

 

Shame for Barreda, but oh well, one less Honda to worry about.

[dweller23]

Will Barreda Bort ever catch a break? He has to be the one of the unluckiest competitors in Dakar history, every year he's at the top and something goes super wrong. This time it was a fog and a ravine... Lots of changes today, some great shots, I must say that one thing that is superb this year is the camera work. It's always been great, but they're taking it to another level this year.

 

Talking of the Africa Eco race:

https://twitter.com/...3503065089?s=19

Never seen anything like that in Dakar/Eco Rally before, insane.

[statman]

VIDEO: Dakar racer disqualified after hitting spectator with truck

[Dolph]

 

VIDEO: Dakar racer disqualified after hitting spectator with truck

 

I understand there are people occupying the "track", but my god! He is charging straight for the five people having them jump out of the way for their life. One of them slips in the sand and he runs over him. He then continues to just drive away.

 

This is a race where the truck category winner was decided by 3 hours and 57 minutes in 2018. Top car drivers stop to help out competing team drivers. But this guy drives his truck into a group of five people like a terrorist to save a couple of seconds.     

[A3]

Apparently when you drive a big truck up a steep hill while being strapped in your seat you just see the sky and you can't see some random spectator who has tripped. Easy to pass judgement looking at that helicopter shot.

I think many of these spectators are completely nuts.

Edited by A3, 12 January 2019 - 22:44.

[dweller23]

This DSQ sounds like BS to me. To remind every "holier than thou" person here, in 2017 Sainz had a similar situation:

 

In both situations fans are at fault. I mean it's impossible for organizers to ensure that noone will wander into tracks of cars in the entire desert. It's impossible for drivers to see anything in those conditions, if you disagree then feel free to watch Stage 5 highlights, especially "Dakar Heroes" part where you can see onboards and how little is visible. If someone (fan) wants to risk their life by standing in a dangerous spot then it should be only their responsibility to not get killed or hurt.

[Myrvold]

I get what you mean.
However, Rally Raids are not run on closed roads, or closed areas. While this might've been slightly harsh in just this situation. The rule is perfectly fine. It would've been something different if it was run on closed roads/areas.

[Dolph]

This DSQ sounds like BS to me. To remind every "holier than thou" person here, in 2017 Sainz had a similar situation:

 

In both situations fans are at fault. I mean it's impossible for organizers to ensure that noone will wander into tracks of cars in the entire desert. It's impossible for drivers to see anything in those conditions, if you disagree then feel free to watch Stage 5 highlights, especially "Dakar Heroes" part where you can see onboards and how little is visible. If someone (fan) wants to risk their life by standing in a dangerous spot then it should be only their responsibility to not get killed or hurt.

 

 

Sainz is going around a blind corner and crashes due to a mistake.

 

The Kamaz driver drives full speed at a group of five people in a straight line with perfect visibility. 

 

And you think these situations are somehow comparable? 

[ensign14]

I see Loeb and Elena lost time because the roadbook was inaccurate.  They're not getting the time back because the organizers say the mistake was the same for everyone.  Just that those who did not use the wrongly-placed tower as a turning point were all OK. 

 

Surprised that Elena thought the roadbook would ever be accurate, given that it doesn't even have Dakar in it.

[Dolph]

I see Loeb and Elena lost time because the roadbook was inaccurate.  They're not getting the time back because the organizers say the mistake was the same for everyone.  Just that those who did not use the wrongly-placed tower as a turning point were all OK. 

 

Surprised that Elena thought the roadbook would ever be accurate, given that it doesn't even have Dakar in it.

 

 

There was also some reporting about Elena strugling with motivation during the stage because of the roadbook problems. Must be tough for Loeb. First the roadbook is wrong and then you've got to baby your codriver.

Edited by Dolph, 13 January 2019 - 21:01.

[HistoryFan]

Are there any electric cars at the Dakar this year?

[A3]

Are there any electric cars at the Dakar this year?

No, they need more charging points in the desert.

[dweller23]

Sainz is going around a blind corner and crashes due to a mistake.

 

The Kamaz driver drives full speed at a group of five people in a straight line with perfect visibility. 

 

And you think these situations are somehow comparable? 

If you're watching the highlights shows, you must've seen truck onboards and how little is visible when going through those small hills. When filmed from aside, it looks like Kamaz driver should see those people, but the reality is that they bounce around that truck so much that they probably couldn't see those people. I mean, what kind of person says "hey let's hide just behind those hills and wait for trucks to see them" and does that? It's comparable, because you don't expect people to stand just behind the blind hill as well as just behind the blind corner.

[Requiem84]

A lot of exciting racing going on which basically nobody seems to follow here, instead all bickering about an accident days and days ago.

 

It was a bad move, the guy broke his leg, the driver got penalised.

 

Let's move back on to Dakar. I'm following the bikes pretty much religiously these days.

 

You can follow everything live here (including cars and trucks etc) Live comments also included:

https://gaps.dakar.c.../dakar/aso/ukie

 

The ASO posts nice recaps on youtube every day after the stage finish.

 

 

This forum has a 'race thread' with updates from very knowledgeable people. Even soms guys who are part of the Dakar caravan are active there. You get a lot of behind the scene info here:

https://advrider.com...0#post-36768677

[condor]

I've been recording the race and watching it the next day at a more convenient time for me. Stage 6 on Eurosport was missed due to the snooker over running, fortunately I managed to get the repeat recorded the following afternoon. It seems like it's sand dunes and that's it - no decent scenery for the viewer to watch. I'm sure the participants are really fed up with all that sand. I would say it's the most boring 'scenery wise' Dakar I've watched. Not impressed and I think that the participants have been short changed by Peru.