Dakar 2012 - Official Event Coverage - THANK YOU all Lurkers and Posters!!

[tehdutchie]

Vd Goorbergh buggy wont start at the start of the stage.. 6x6 towed him to the finish..

https://www.facebook.com/GoKoBra/posts/202079289884039

[crankshaft]

Originally Posted by Flood

The Mule is perfectly OK, rest assured. Just very busy with his real life. We're all missing him, though.

+1,000 One of the nicest people I've had the pleasure to meet!

[skibum69]

trucks yay! I'm cheering for the Sugawara's. When I was in Mongolia Tehru came up to see me every day at the end of the stage, very nice of him. Yoshi-san on the other hand would never move over to let you pass, I guess that's what 29 Dakar starts and 20 finishes in a row gets you?

[LUDO]

So....2 and half years later....anybody remembers the big discussions about the 450cc class? did it kill the Dakar as some predicted? or did it enhance it.

Of course, the fight for the 450cc class was originally more about FIM world championship, hoping the Dakar would follow suit! It took a pro like Dakar race director David Castera to see the benefits for the Dakar right away while the FIM is still sleeping at the wheel with their non important world championship.

[Stagehand]

Originally Posted by LUDO

So....2 and half years later....anybody remembers the big discussions about the 450cc class? did it kill the Dakar as some predicted? or did it enhance it.

Of course, the fight for the 450cc class was originally more about FIM world championship, hoping the Dakar would follow suit! It took a pro like Dakar race director David Castera to see the benefits for the Dakar.

I was wondering the same thing yesterday... I should think its hasnt even been mentioned as a problem! And look at all the brands now in the top ten! Only things I've heard are about strategic engine changes, and the lesser enjoyment of sitting on a 450 for 400 Liason Kms

[Dread Pendragon]

I missed it of someone already mentioned it, but advrider's little bro, Manuel Luchesse, did well today, right?



I attribute it to the good vibes stored up in his bike while being built in his grandma's kitchen.

[Myway]

Fox sport now Justin TV

[Bluebull2007]

Originally Posted by LUDO

He crashed 1 mile from the end of the special.
:-(

Hey there Ludo

There is a drift with a small bridge about 2.2km from the end of the special. Speed is a dangerous thing. Man this Jorge incident has really upset me.

[Bluebull2007]

Originally Posted by LUDO

So....2 and half years later....anybody remembers the big discussions about the 450cc class? did it kill the Dakar as some predicted? or did it enhance it.

Of course, the fight for the 450cc class was originally more about FIM world championship, hoping the Dakar would follow suit! It took a pro like Dakar race director David Castera to see the benefits for the Dakar right away while the FIM is still sleeping at the wheel with their non important world championship.

I dunno..I think the 450 bikes are a lot better then they used to be already, but I miss seeing the big 690's and these bikes are all going to fade into some kind of road bike in time to come I suppose.

Is the race safer for it? I doubt it, but maybe its a little safer for the amateurs like me.

[troy safari carpente]

Originally Posted by LUDO

So....2 and half years later....anybody remembers the big discussions about the 450cc class? did it kill the Dakar as some predicted? or did it enhance it.

Of course, the fight for the 450cc class was originally more about FIM world championship, hoping the Dakar would follow suit! It took a pro like Dakar race director David Castera to see the benefits for the Dakar right away while the FIM is still sleeping at the wheel with their non important world championship.

(I was a sceptic initially)
It's true... it has made more manufacturers/teams come out and participate... it seems to brought the field closer (though evidence so far, would still indicate that the KTm R & D program still has the upper hand).

If there is a downside... possibly that even before the start that in order to compete for a top 10 placing, riders are more or less resigned to the fact that it will require (at least) two engines... (which from a privateer perspective is a big investment)

Though realistically - from the factory team perspective - this has probably always been the case... since the late 80's in any case.

Viva la' 450's... (or at least till the "engine changing race" starts around about day 7 to 9...? )

[Bluebull2007]

Originally Posted by skibum69

trucks yay! I'm cheering for the Sugawara's. When I was in Mongolia Tehru came up to see me every day at the end of the stage, very nice of him. Yoshi-san on the other hand would never move over to let you pass, I guess that's what 29 Dakar starts and 20 finishes in a row gets you?

Nice pic, Mike

[Dread Pendragon]

Originally Posted by tehdutchie

Vd Goorbergh buggy wont start at the start of the stage.. 6x6 towed him to the finish..

https://www.facebook.com/GoKoBra/posts/202079289884039

they just tweeted:

Jurgen; back up and running - moving again.

[XSpearsX]

You all are going to have to explain to me again this year.....how do I see when bikes are in for the day? Mark #121 had fuel problems when he left this am. I know today was "long" but don't know how long it should take. Would like to know when to expect our 3 riders to be in for the day. I think support should still be about 45 minutes from biv.

[skibum69]

Originally Posted by Bluebull2007

Hey there Ludo

There is a drift with a small bridge about 2.2km from the end of the special. Speed is a dangerous thing. Man this Jorge incident has really upset me.

I hear you there, these days I'm a fair bit removed from it all so not as bad. I'm sure it's very saddening for the whole country to lose one of their own.

[Stagehand]

Originally Posted by Dread Pendragon

I missed it of someone already mentioned it, but advrider's little bro, Manuel Luchesse, did well today, right?



I attribute it to the good vibes stored up in his bike while being built in his grandma's kitchen.

Moved up to 86th place the lad smoked it. was only 11 min behind the leader.