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

[knybanjo]

Originally Posted by Misery Goat

that's what it looks like to me.

...just waiting for him to pass through WP10 to see if he's still the fastest.

[Resist]

Originally Posted by XSpearsX

Yeah, my goal is not that big. Just using my phone for instant uploads/updates. Camera for rare wifi moments.

Wifi isn't too hard if you can upload on the road, everywhere in Argentina and Chile has wifi in Service Stations and in lots of Cafes - free wifi is easy to find. But it's slow and you only get to use it if you get to stop for a while on the way. The big issue is the cost to be in the bivvy. Even for you to go as a team member would cost the Freedom Rally guys another $4000. They might already have a car on the assistance route so that might not be a big issue for you to overcome. Worth chasing.
Best thing I ever did was cover that race on the ground. Not being there brings me to tears nowadays though, so be warned!

[silentwolf]

Originally Posted by Jurassic

Hey what happened to Franco? I noticed that he was on the withdrawls list last night. What did I miss?

Haven't heard why but I think he went out, stage seven...

yep seven.

[XSpearsX]

Originally Posted by Bluebull2007

Crew are probably too exhausted to update or are travelling...?

No, us wives just need to train them better.

[tserts]

CD slowed down, Caselli then Chaleco leading the stage

[Deadly99]

kurt still holding the lead

[Brodovitch]

Kurt leading comfortably at WP10 !

[garfey]

Si thru WP8
Manny & Boundsy thru WP7

[8340SU]

Is Lopez opening now?

[Bluebull2007]

faria down to 13th now at Wp10

[knybanjo]

Holy Moly!! Kurt's faster than ever through 10!!

1	029	CASELLI (USA)	KTM	002:57:40		00:00:00
2	007	LOPEZ CONTARDO (CHL)	KTM	002:59:01	00:01:21	00:00:00
3	001	DESPRES (FRA)	KTM	003:00:20	00:02:40

[tserts]

Lopez is OPENING now!

205ed..

Caselli will take this in as it seems...

[JMo (& piglet)]

Originally Posted by Stagehand

Lots of guys going the distance on one engine this year

True, but I imagine they have not entered in the Marathon class 'just in case'...?!

Actually there is no [time] penalty for dropping out of Marathon and into the 'regular' SP class if you do decide to change an engine after all...

The problem is, any spare engine has to be presented at scrutineering (I imagine to stop people changing their 450cc for a 530cc that just happens to be in the back of the truck, ahem) and if you present a spare engine at scrutineering, then you are technically not allowed in Marathon.

Of course there is nothing to stop a Marathon rider changing their engine during the event with one from another bike/team, as that engine would have already been scrutineered/marked/approved at the beginning, they would just move to the SP class instead.

Hope that clarifies...

Jx

[XSpearsX]

Originally Posted by Resist

Wifi isn't too hard if you can upload on the road, everywhere in Argentina and Chile has wifi in Service Stations and in lots of Cafes - free wifi is easy to find. But it's slow and you only get to use it if you get to stop for a while on the way. The big issue is the cost to be in the bivvy. Even for you to go as a team member would cost the Freedom Rally guys another $4000. They might already have a car on the assistance route so that might not be a big issue for you to overcome. Worth chasing.
Best thing I ever did was cover that race on the ground. Not being there brings me to tears nowadays though, so be warned!

Yes it would be as a team member. We have a truck and motorhome, so lots of room.

[Bluebull2007]

Originally Posted by 8340SU

Is Lopez opening now?

Could be...but I doubt it.

Casselli has just pipped Lopez time now.