2012 Dakar ** SPOILER ALERT - ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK AFTER THE RACE STARTS **

[R Doug]

It's in South America again.  At least we have something to watch in the racing off season!



The official site.

http://www.dakar.com/index_DAKus.html

The official YouTube channel for the Dakar.

http://www.youtube.com/user/dakar

[Gary B.]

Can't wait!!!

[Kneescrubber]

And it's relatively the same time zone. No more late nights.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

 

[DogBoy]

Some detail pics of Quinn Cody's Honda to wet your appetites.

http://www.enduro360.com/2011/10/28/featured/quinn-codys-dakar-honda/

[Capirex]

Any idea of TV coverage this year?  Versus coverage last year was paltry at best and I can find no mention of it on what is now the NBC sports website.  Does eurosport cover it?

[R Doug]

Quinn did well last year.  I purchaed a neat Dakar t-shirt from Touratech with the proceeds going to support Street.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Quinn did well last year.  I purchaed a neat Dakar t-shirt from Touratech with the proceeds going to support Street.  

We already have ours



Oh, and I already checked: flights from Newark to Buenos Aires is $1,500 per person, so there goes that spontanous idea  

[bomber]

yep, cool shirt --

Versys was a bit on the 50,000 foot level of coverage, but it was gorgeously done, and captured the imagination of a bunch of non-riders I know . . . . .

[DogBoy]

For any Dakar fans who want to geek out on a bike build, the JCR Honda Facebook page has a gallery (109 photos) of the build up of Quinn Cody's Honda 450X. (Must be on Facebook to view)

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2260054620075.2107116.1209705960&type=1

[Kneescrubber]

For any Dakar fans who want to geek out on a bike build, the JCR Honda Facebook page has a gallery (109 photos) of the build up of Quinn Cody's Honda 450X. (Must be on Facebook to view)

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2260054620075.2107116.1209705960&type=1

Good find!  

[R Doug]

+1  Thanks.

Is that an oil cooler under the seat?  I couldn't find an up close pic of it.  But, it look like it had a fan on it.  

[DogBoy]

In which picture (#?) are you seeing an oil cooler? I'm must be missing it.

[R Doug]

I'll try hotlinking the image from Facebook.

It's under the seat in front of the rear gas tank.

[R Doug]

It's the air intake, isn't it?

[Gary B.]

Looks like the airbox with a high-capacity filter. If you look closely, the "fan" isn't round.

[DogBoy]

Airbox.

[DogBoy]

Finished product ready for damage.

[motodog650]

Any idea of TV coverage this year?  Versus coverage last year was paltry at best and I can find no mention of it on what is now the NBC sports website.  Does eurosport cover it?

Darren Skilton (competitor in the car class) posted below on race-dezert.com the other day:

Re: Dakar Rally U.S. TV Coverage??

TV is confirmed to start on the 2nd of Jan. at 1:30 EST on the NBC Sports network (Old Versus channel). 30 minute daily shows.....  

[Max Wedge]

Ooooo 30 minutes...   Better than nothin' I guess.

[R Doug]

The official YouTube channel for the Dakar.

http://www.youtube.com/user/dakar

[motodog650]

Maybe we need to add a spoiler alert to the title ? Some folks (like me) will follow live timing online but I'd assume some will want to watch the TV updates without prior knowledge of stage results...Just a thought...    

[BigBen]

Interesting how the bike section is dominated by KTMs & Yamahas, and no BMWs listed. What happened to all the GS bikes?

[black hills]

Interesting how the bike section is dominated by KTMs & Yamahas, and no BMWs listed. What happened to all the GS bikes?

BMW pretty much gave up after KTM's winning streak began

[R Doug]

Maybe we need to add a spoiler alert to the title ? Some folks (like me) will follow live timing online but I'd assume some will want to watch the TV updates without prior knowledge of stage results...Just a thought...    

fixed.  

[R Doug]

 

2010 Red Bull Romaniacs winner Chris Birch will be taking on the Dakar for the first time in 2012.  He'll be one to watch.    

[R Doug]

Tour of the KTM factory prepping bikes.

http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Video/dakar-2012-ktm-factory-video-021243139056757

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[BigBen]

Dakar Rally Highlights

Stage 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppLP4M8rS-c

[Jason F.]

American riders Bill Conger and Jonah Street are out of the race with mechanical problems already. Sad they had to withdraw so early and to do equipment failures.

American's Ned Suesse, Cody, James Embro, and Michael Stanfield are still in it through stage 2.  

Bill's blog/page http://bc2dakar.com/

Ned's blog/page http://neduro.myshopify.com/

Michael Stanfield page http://www.freedomcyclesinc.com/default.asp


James Embro page http://www.theraceshop.com/

[bubba zanetti]

Thanks for doing this thread guys.  I am hooked already.  Pretty dramatic beginning

[DogBoy]

Just read Quinn Cody had to withdraw due to a broken collarbone maybe other injuries.  

Bummer, he had been up to sixth on stage 3 after a very tough day on Stage 2.


Updates on the JCR Honda facebook page for FB users:  https://www.facebook.com/JCRHonda

[Jason F.]

  Yup US riders are dropping like flies...

18:21 Bikes: Cody withdraws

American Quinn Cody, assisted after a fall by Juan Pedrero, soon met up with one of the medical helicopters, whose team diagnosed a suspected fracture of the collar bone and head injury. His condition is not alarming, but nevertheless he has had to withdraw from the race.

[R Doug]

Argh!  Both of my favorite Americans are out.

I'm going to pull for Lopez on the bikes (Aprilia) and Al-Attiyah in cars (driving one of Gordon's Hummers).

I won't complain if KTM continues its domination, but it's time for someone else to win.  

Go Lopez!

[motodog650]

tweet from @RallyRAIDio: Cody:In the heli right now, ok but beat up concussion and broken collarone, I don't know what happened just woke up and the heli was there".

Glad not worse but still a bummer.

[stk0308]

Interesting how the bike section is dominated by KTMs & Yamahas, and no BMWs listed. What happened to all the GS bikes?

The twins were outlawed years ago.  And BMW more or less killed the 450 line when they bought Husky.  Consider the Husky an extention of BMW now in offroad events.

[DogBoy]

The twins were outlawed years ago.  And BMW more or less killed the 450 line when they bought Husky.  Consider the Husky an extention of BMW now in offroad events.

Its nice to see BMW putting their stamp on the Husky brand by making everything heavier and uglier.

[Baz]

Its nice to see BMW putting their stamp on the Husky brand by making everything heavier and uglier.

 

Shhhh, don't tell County.

[motodog650]

Just saw on Twitter where Jonah Street has apparently anounced his retirement from rally racing.

[bomber]

Just saw on Twitter where Jonah Street has apparently anounced his retirement from rally racing.

That would be a shame (from a fan's perspective), but entirely understandable from a Dad with young kids that needs to make a living point of view . . . . .

[X1Glider]

That would be a shame (from a fan's perspective), but entirely understandable from a Dad with young kids that needs to make a living point of view . . . . .

Especially when this can so easily happen.

[nnjhawk02]

thanks - I always forget when this starts

Go Robby & Jonah

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[R Doug]

Quinn's rear wheel hit something which upset the bike bad enough for him to lose control.  After seeing that video, I'm glad it was only his shoulder that was injured.  Ouch.

[mugwump58]

Johan Street Retires From another source.

[Jason F.]

Yeah that was a nasty looking spill. Back end kicks up in the air, front wheel flops around a bit before completely going sideways, and serious face plant into the dirt. He looked pretty roughed up and dazed in that last shot.

Glad he will be able to heal up and ride another day.

[black hills]

Johan Street Retires From another source.

Its sad that an "average guy" can't race the Dakar,  There was an article in the now defunct Outrider Journal about his efforts. Just getting to the start line was a bigger struggle than most could handle. If so inclined I think you can still get copies of the magazines first 2 issues here:
http://www.outriderjournal.com/

[mugwump58]

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Proof the Dutch are mad

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Suesse

Embro

[mugwump58]

Stage 6 was cancelled due to weather. Weather like that should have deserved a video

Here's an explaination

[R Doug]

So, I just finished catching up with Stage 9 (yesterday).

DRAMA

The rally gave Despres back time he lost in the mire which ticked off Coma.  The argument was the hazard wasn't properly marked in the course notes.  

Then Nassar broke 4 belts on the Hummer (1 belt one time and 3 another).  There appears to be tension between him and Gordon.  

Fun stuff.

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[bluepoof]

Then Nassar broke 4 belts on the Hummer (1 belt one time and 3 another).  There appears to be tension between him and Gordon.  

I'm only watching the NBC coverage, which only gives about 15 seconds to any particular driver...but was there any way to interpret Robby Gordon's interview comments at the end of Stage 9 that don't result in Gordon being a douche?  I can't tell if I'm just biased because I really don't like the Hummers and Nasser is one of my favorite drivers.

[R Doug]

I'm a little biased too for the same two reasons.  

As far as I know, Robby has always been a douche and he didn't disappoint in that interview.  

[Ralf]

Great stuff, especially liked the "mud bath" IMHO the Rally is just as good as when it was held in Africa.

[bomber]

I'm a little biased too for the same two reasons.  

As far as I know, Robby has always been a douche and he didn't disappoint in that interview.  

^This -- I can't see him speak on camera without wanting to take the lil shit over my knee . . . .

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I haven't watched any of it yet but am looking forward to it  

Has there been a consensus on the best place to stream coverage from?

[X1Glider]

A Husky gets a Stage 10 win!  WooHoo!!!

[bomber]

A Husky gets a Stage 10 win!  WooHoo!!!

THAT rider was freaking fearless -- went by some competitors like they were on blocks . . . .

[DogBoy]

Seems like the French have brought the scrutineers that used to work at LeMans in the 70's and 80s to Dakar this year. Three looks at Gordon's car and they still can't make a final decision?

[R Doug]

Gordon has always been an ass, but there's a little bit of me that will always want the American to win.  

Three looks or not, I believe a broken u-joint may have sealed his fate for this rally.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Has there been a consensus on the best place to stream coverage from?

 

[R Doug]

We were waiting for you to get back to us on this topic.  

Other than my DVR picking up the NBC Sports' coverage and the embedded YouTube vides here, I have only found a few good places to read about the race.  The Eurosport app is a decent one.

[DogBoy]

Gordon has always been an ass, but there's a little bit of me that will always want the American to win.  

Three looks or not, I believe a broken u-joint may have sealed his fate for this rally.  

What about Cyril (Cereal) Despres and the restored time for the mud puddle?

French guy in mud? We must correct. Spanish guy misses same hazard? Too bad.

Its LeMans all over again.  

[R Doug]

Freak'n French.  


I read the argument used to giving Despres his time back in the mire.  They claimed the hazard wasn't put in the rider's notes.  I agree with Coma who asked why should he not be rewarded for reading the terrain correctly.  

[DogBoy]

Freak'n French.  


I read the argument used to giving Despres his time back in the mire.  They claimed the hazard wasn't put in the rider's notes.  I agree with Coma who asked why should he not be rewarded for reading the terrain correctly.  

Sacré bleu!



Hey Dakar fans!. Remember, The Boston Globe's "The Big Picture" photoblog always has a posting on Dakar. (You can also search for coverage of past years)


This year: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2012/01/dakar_rally_2012.html

[Mrs. DantesDame]

We were waiting for you to get back to us on this topic.  

   


Dan and I have stages 1-10 (-2) but through methods that I can not wholly condone for others to use....  
We're watching "Eurosport" coverage (in HD on our new 60" plasma  ) and it is good    I like the coverage of the historic races they're giving as well.

[R Doug]

OK, Peterhansel calling Gordon a cheater did piss me off.  His comments immediately after stage 12 had me laughing out load and applauding him.  After capping off the section of hosing which the scrutineers claimed added add'l air to the engine and provided a boost in performance.  

After winning today's difficult specials section by 20 minutes, Gordon get's out of his Hummer saying to the camera, "Kiss my ass," and "Minis are for girls."  

He may be a prick, but he's highly entertaining.    And honestly, I can't blame him for his comments after 12.  Nobody likes to be called a cheater.  

Hey Peterhansel    

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[tomek]

Seems like the French have brought the scrutineers that used to work at LeMans in the 70's and 80s to Dakar this year. Three looks at Gordon's car and they still can't make a final decision?

I think those dudes still work at LeMans . How do you explain  car with , excuse me language , diesel winning ? .

Mazda won in 1991 with 4 rotor Wankel , think two rx7 powerplants merged together . Well , it was not gonna happen again .
 They outlawed rotary engines . BTW , it was the only win by Japanese manufacturer at LeMans . One too many I guess .



As far as Gordon ,one of  undeniable truth  of motorsports - If you are not cheating you are not trying hard enough .        

[bomber]

Gordon DID put in an amazing performance -- no doubt about it.

If he could only leave a little of the NASCAR 'tude behind, he'd have more people pulling for him  . . .

Peterhansel should have hushed up about Gordon -- let the official officiate (specially since they let him slide on knocking the rider and bike over in the water crossing).

Can anyone tell me why the trucks are so fascinating? I can't take my eyes off these bricks sailing across the dunes . . . .what's purpose of the third crewmember in the cab?

[R Doug]

You're right, there's just something majestic about the 7k + lb vehicles.  I don't know why there are three crew members.  My best guess is to have an extra hand onboard with the truck needs worked on either due to mechanical issues or stuck.  

[mugwump58]

[mugwump58]

Overall Ranking

I cannnot even imagine how proud I would be to be 53rd. Nice job!