DAKAR 2014

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[SteveG]

OK. I'm ready! When do we leave?

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Let's do it!

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[ESHALLBETTER]

My Buddy just sent me some pics from tech! I'll try and get them posted later tonight or tomorrow!

[ESHALLBETTER]

Side Profile.jpg (159.78 KiB) Viewed 1236 times

Livery.jpg (99.68 KiB) Viewed 1236 times

I'll post more as they come in!

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Awesome Erik! There has got to be an American on the podium this year.

[BDKW1]

Man, the headers on the HST have really long primaries. Going for max low end torque.........

[Silverslk]

Man, the headers on the HST have really long primaries. Going for max low end torque.........

Looks like there are 2 into 1 right as they come off the head, no? The lower two could be from left bank?

Aren't those just the 180 degree headers or something? I'm no expert....

[yikes]

Stage 1 begins tomorrow. Woohoooo!

Go to http://www.dakar.com/index_DAKus.html and http://www.trackingdakar.nl/ for complete info...and RDC for the goofy banter.

Outline:
The competitors will wake up early to set off along the road in the region of Cordoba and start the race on some narrow tracks which will require the utmost vigilance. Each one will still be very fresh allowing them to tackle the stony sections or the blind jumps serenely. The competitors' driving skills will be rewarded at the finish, where they will have already clocked up 800 kilometres. Although the gaps will not be significant at this stage of the race, it is nevertheless important to maintain their position in the part of the standings that they are aiming for!

Schedule:

Bikes:
Transit:405km/252miles @ 04:20/23:20(PST) - SS: 180km/112miles @10:20/05:20(PST) - Transit: 224km/139miles @12:45/07:45(PST)
Cars:
Transit:405km/252miles @ 06:22/01:22(PST) - SS: 180km/112miles @12:52/07:52(PST) - Transit: 224km/139miles @15:17/10:17(PST)
Trucks:
Transit:405km/252miles @ 08:50/03:50(PST) - SS: 180km/112miles @15:45/10:45(PST) - Transit: 224km/139miles @18:25/13:25(PST)

[BDKW1]

Man, the headers on the HST have really long primaries. Going for max low end torque.........

Looks like there are 2 into 1 right as they come off the head, no? The lower two could be from left bank?

Aren't those just the 180 degree headers or something? I'm no expert....

Yeah, there is a better pic on planet ruby. They are 4-2, then the D-side cross's over under the motor and they go back to a 2-1 collector exiting just in front of the tire.

Lets see if this works.

http://s240.photobucket.com/user/chupak ... 4.jpg.html

[BDKW1]

Oh, and HELL YEAH! Go Rubby! I will be useless tomorrow morning glued to the computer.........

[yikes]

50 minutes and counting....

[yikes]

Wellllllll, that didn't go too well. Seemed a bit like amateur hour at the Dakar. BJ's backwards flag and automatic tire deflation. RG's total systems overheating issue. It kinda bumbs me out. I get super excited every year with big, but reasonable hopes for our USA team(s) and there's almost always a big snafu right out of the box. Hopefully El Martillo, BJ and RG will all get an opportunity to shine a bit over the next two weeks. They've all worked hard to get there.

[BDKW1]

They are only at 6000 feet and having major issues? This does not bode well for the rest of the race.

They should have been driving that thing up and down Pikes peak in July for testing. But of course, that means it would have had to have been completed by then. By the looks of it they got done with the final assembly yesterday morning. Nothing beats real world testing and it looks like this years race is only going to be good for testing............

[SteveG]

They are only at 6000 feet and having major issues? This does not bode well for the rest of the race.

They should have been driving that thing up and down Pikes peak in July for testing. But of course, that means it would have had to have been completed by then. By the looks of it they got done with the final assembly yesterday morning. Nothing beats real world testing and it looks like this years race is only going to be good for testing............

In other words, business as usual for team Robby.... Too bad.

Some day, Robby is going to amaze us all and instead of finishing something at the last minute and head to the big race, he and crew are going to take their time and finish something way ahead of time, be there on time, tested and totally relaxed before the flag drops.

YEAH RIGHT!

[yikes]

Alright. Reinvigorated for Stage 2. Cars have started. RG is 17th off. BJ 20th. Let's see who did work overnight.

[yikes]

Alright. Reinvigorated for Stage 2. Cars have started. RG is 17th off. BJ 20th. Let's see who did work overnight.

Apparently neither. RG got towed in. BJ made it, but over 4 hours down. Must be frustrating for both.