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

[8340SU]

Originally Posted by doyle

It was only 2010 when Coma was shamed, disgraced, and penalized 6 hours for what they are not only allowing now, but encouraging to take place. He stopped in the neutral zone and changed a wheel, a major no-no to being part and parcel of the regulations in a very short time.

Spot on

[Drif10]

Originally Posted by XSpearsX

We have a Spanish speaking crew member on the team and that seems to really help. Language barrier last year was minimal. But I did go to France in November to get the equipment on to the ASO boat with Scott and have been learning a little French since then. I was surprised though, most everyone spoke English. I took the truck thru scruitny while the guys put the bikes thru. Every single person I dealt with spoke English.

Granted, but see Ned's recent post about the daily roadbook briefings. French version much more comprehensive.

[Dekatria]

Verhoeven @WP7 +5m8s, just behind Helder & CD

[PackMule]

Originally Posted by Flood

Inmate ToKo, who is missing from TeamF5 this year, just replied to the RallyRAIDio Facebook group:

Hope ToKo is well. Sad to lose one from the F5 camp.

WRT the DQ, thinking that they'd let a truck ride slide was a stretch I think. All sorts of rule-bending towing goes on, but only on the long European liaisons do I remember lift/trailer being allowed. Bummer.

Originally Posted by orlando_orange

the problem with this evolution is i can see it getting to a point where the ASO's up the fees, logistics and infrastructure required to the point where the malle motos are squeezed out as are most of the privateers and it becomes like F1 where only factory teams or big private teams can afford to stay in it.... and that would be a great shame..

They need the privateer motos, look at the entry numbers and that's pretty clear. Just as they're not going to drive the pro teams away, nor will they make it completely unattainable for the true privateers.

Originally Posted by Ruffus

On the tracker, he was in the forties up until stage 5. Figured he did get reseeded, but the starting time wasn't updated

hmm.

[Stagehand]

Originally Posted by XSpearsX

Every single person I dealt with spoke English.

This has been a major problem with my aqcuisition of French

[PackMule]

Despres and Lopez are on a tear! It's a hare and hound now!

[tserts]

The front 5 riders are merging slowly, they are now 2,5 mins apart physically from the 1st to the 5th.

If Despres catches the front the provisional standings will look very very tight...

[8340SU]

gonçalves stopped as per dakar com

[ric678]

only 100km...ballsout now!!

[Olmer]

Originally Posted by Drif10

If I was building a team for Dakar, french speaker would be right up there in the 'must haves'.

Ok, i'm in

[8340SU]

Originally Posted by 8340SU

gonçalves stopped as per dakar com

he is moving again, after 5 min, dakar com

[ric678]

Whilst he was leading the stage, Portugal's Paulo Gonçalves ground to a halt after 333 km of the special stage. The reason is unknown, but the biker is in a very rocky zone so it could be due to a puncture

Puncture?? thought they all run mousse

[PackMule]

Originally Posted by Drif10

I dunno. Look at time on stage.

Mischa's site must be calculating it, rather than importing the values directly. Looks clean over there!

[italrally]

Originally Posted by ric678

only 100km...ballsout now!!

Did you ever in your live 100 km offroad racing and following a road book ?

i swear you ....more than hard work

[ric678]

For those interested in the trucks

Stacey
The Dutch driver's Iveco has apparently been badly damaged after an accident (the truck rolled over forwards) after 79 km. The crew are ok, but the truck has been unable to carry on