Dakar 2010

[aeronca65t]

Not sure where this belongs: there's really no British cars in it (but some Brit drivers). So I'm postingf it here, since it's sort of general interest as related to cars:

The Dakar Rally has been moved (for the meantime) to S. America, for security reasons. Some previous Dakar entrants ran into problems with armed attackers in Africa.

~HERE~ is the course for 2010.

~Currrent Standings~ (cars). VW is doing well. There are several US drivers in the top ten.

~Video From Today~

Pic from previous Dakar (this is C. Sainz VW TDI)

 

[DrEntropy]

It wuz moved for serious reasons...

Any personal comments would be imprudent.

 

[Shane]

Immensely frustrating reasons...

Carlos's accident was vicious last year. If I remember the turn wasn't marked correctly and he drove into a 12 foot ravine. Scary moment, but I think the only injury was that the navigator broke his arm. Says quite a bit about the construction of those vehicles.

BTW, I love those VW Race Touaregs.

 

[vagt6]

Amazing race with more amazing athletes.

In the Atacama desert, no less, where it has not rained in some areas for 250 years! (no kidding).

The KTM riders are stunning. I can't imagine the stamina that's needed.

I only get 30 minutes at 6:30 PM on "Versus" channel. I'm glued to the TV every night to see it.

FYI, it was moved from the African continent because of violence/terrorism in N. Africa. I like the S. America venue better, actually.

If you haven't watched, give it a try. REally amazing stuff.

 

[aeronca65t]

Yeah as well as some ~Amazing Car Action~, there is great bike, sidecar and quad action at the Dakar.
Charley Boorman has written a good book about biking the event.

But I have to admit, the Russian Kamaz trucks are my favourite. (scroll down).

 

[bgbassplyr]

The anti-gravity machine the Russians have hidden in their trucks really make it easy for them to go fast over the rough spots.

 

[aeronca65t]

Check the "Video of the Day" ~Here~ (scroll down) to see the bike action for today.

French and Spanish riders are having a close race on the 2-wheelers.

VW TDIs are leading BMWs in cars.

 

[DNK]

Anybody see the 10 beast rally crashes show?

 

[Gliderman8]

The anti-gravity machine the Russians have hidden in their trucks really make it easy for them to go fast over the rough spots.

NO, no, no.... it's FLUBBER

 

[aeronca65t]

<span style="font-weight: bold">2010 Dakar Overall Results:</span>

1st Car (VW TDI) SAINZ (Spain)
VW 1st, 2nd and 3rd. BMW 4th and 5th

1st Motorcycle (KTM)-DESPRES (France)
KTM 1st and 2nd. Aprilia 3rd

1st Quad (Yamaha) PATRONELLI (Argentina)
Yamaha 1st, 2nd and 3rd Polaris 4th

1st Truck (KAMAZ) CHAGIN (Russia), SAVOSTIN (Russia), NIKOLAEV (Russia)
KAMAZ 1st and 2nd with GINAF 3rd

~Kool Kamaz Komrades Video~