Dakar 2013 - Official Event Coverage - thank you ALL TeamF5, lurkers and posters!

The hover bike rivals even the most advanced helicopters :eek1

Trucks thus far:

De Rooy #1, Stacey #2 @16s, Loprais #3 @25s, #4 Van Vliet @33s, #5 Nikolaev @34s

SS 2 Tactix...?

While the x5 (prologue) time coefficient for the stage results in SS1 for the MOTOS seems to have thrown a spanner in the works of some riders minds as to how to lay up tactically for the start of the rally (off piste/dune navigation stage) for tomorrows SS 2 (PISCO - PISCO)... the tactics in the AUTO field are somewhat more along the traditional lines of the scared hares and the carnivourous tortoises.

In the MOTO's some of the experienced punters (like Chaleco and verhoven) went full attack and will lead off the front... while Dakar supemo despres slots in at a conservatively fast pos #5... still mebbe a bit further ahead than he had anticipated?

In contrast, Helder had a bit of a nap and is off in 29th tomorrow... but that just could translate to a top three time for him tomorrow, if dust or fog is not a problem and passing can be doone quickly/easily?

In the AUTO field, there seems to be some pretty clear battle lines drawn...

All of the top five (except alvarez in the Overdrive Hilux) are in 2WD's... :huh arguably very fast on the offroad terrain... BUT with only 2WD one has to drive forcefully and with good line selection and commitment - if to avoid getting stuck bogged - if there are big dunes...

In contrast positions 6 to 10 are occupied (by what I consider) to be the favourites amongst the Auto podium contenders... ALL of them in 4WD vehicles (four of them are from the formidable MINI skirt girl car team ).

in this respect I can see that the 4WD carnivore tortoises will shadow the faster "2WD hares" into the dunes... and if any of the buggies flounder... they will be devoured...

Look to see three MINI's in the top five and two Toyotas... maybe a frenzied Qatar Bugly in there as well, if the fan don't pop, or a front wheel part company... one of them will have drama's I think.

And meanwhile SPEED Gordon...? Well he will be back in the cheap seats, passing T4 trucks and high number auto's by the fistfull in an attempt to "go for the win".

g'night f5'ers!

Oh no... Polish ski dude again on eurosport...

Memo to Eurosport: Enough with the ski guy already

True, I believe tomorrow will be more open space / dunes... passing people won't be an issue

G'night all

Not available in my geographical region.

Tomorrow forecasted to be dusty ?

You guys are slow. I'm caught up.

Tomorrow is going to be really interesting - let's see if RG can regain his dignity.

RobbyGordon confirms on Eurosport that they broke reverse when tackling a dune too cautiously. Damn, were they stuck.

Robby gets bitten from being too cautious... not something you hear too often

RG and driving cautiously....just doesn't sound right

Sources forgot to disclose it will take extra time to get them made because they have to be water proof or they won't stick to bikes as they're being dumped into the water while being passed in the river crossings

and after ski dude, Jacky Ickx?

double

that's it, I'm tweeting Carlton

no wonder he broke

At least now Robby has to go full speed to regain some dignity, after the stuff he said about the Mini and the buggys... He has to put his car were the mouth was!!

And Eurosport continues with the Austrian Jännerrallye!

Eurosport's coverage seems solid this year. Not worse then last year anyway.
I really hope they don't press on with the ski dude.


It would be beyond ironic if Gordon damaged the transmission because of the podium stunt.
I, kind of, like him while his driving and not talking.

includes very cool footage of the Bultaco

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