2012 Dakar Stage 10 Quotes

Quotes from Stage 10 of the 2012 Dakar Rally

Robby Gordon - Finished 4th

" I hit a rock with both right-side tires and as you can see this wheel is way out, so we've got some broken parts. Do I think I can win again? Of course. I was passing him [Peterhansel], he didn't move over and I clobbered a rock and got two flat tyres at the same time. So, we've got our work cut out for us. We've got a damaged race car that we're going to have work on and there's a lot of damage from what I can see. Now we'll push, push, push even harder."

"About 30km from the finish, I was right on Peterhansel's tail and we were hitting the sentinel telling him we were there. After multiple times he wouldn't move over. We both missed a way point, and I tried my hardest to get around him. When I got in his dust, we had a big crash. Should have rolled the thing, but it blew the rear wheel off the truck as well as hurt the A-arm and transmission. Being down nearly 20 minutes is a lot, but we won't let that stop us. We'll work through the night to get the car ready for tomorrow. Anything can happen...they can have a bad day too." Gordon commented after moving to third in the overall standings.

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Permalink Reply by 7gason7 on January 11, 2012 at 4:48pm

29P DRIVER’S CODE

3) If the vehicle represents a danger to other competitors or, to make safe the area of the
accident, a crew member must, after having pressed the 2 blue alarm buttons on the GPS, place a
red reflective triangle in an appropriate position, at least 50 metres before the vehicle, so as to warn
other competitors. All crews failing to respect this rule are liable to penalties at the discretion of the
Sporting Stewards.

Did the biker do this?

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Permalink Reply by alan4s on January 11, 2012 at 4:57pm

He was in the river trying to hold onto his bike, so I doubt he waded back to the other side to put up a triangle.

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Permalink Reply by 7gason7 on January 11, 2012 at 5:04pm

I agree. Was bogus and the 302 should have stopped. In the very least stopped after the hit to see if he was OK. That being said I can't find a rule in the book to add time to the 302 for hitting another competitor who was in the middle of the course. By trying to save his bike he put himself at risk.

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Permalink Reply by Brad on January 11, 2012 at 6:17pm

SO your broken down in a river and get hit. No penalties will be given to the person who hit you cause you didn't put out a triangle 50 meters prior. Really..... Even Bernie with F1 isn't that stupid.

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Permalink Reply by Kirk G on January 11, 2012 at 5:13pm

Sounds like you have never riden a bike through a steam/river(from what i saw). YOU HAVE TO BE ON THE UP SIDE TO CONTROL THE BIKE. IF THEY ASK THESE GUYS TO CONTROL A BIKE FROM THE DOWN SIDE IS RIDICULAS. I HAVE BEEN THERE>

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 11, 2012 at 5:17pm

there are rules and there is common sence.7gas7 is merly pointing out the rules.
I disagree, he should have been on the down side, and yes I've been that guy crossing high water,but on the down side.Just say'n

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Permalink Reply by Kirk G on January 11, 2012 at 5:24pm

YOU CAN NOT DEAL WITH A BIKE IN THAT MUCH WATER ON THE DOWN SIDE PERIOD. FORGET ABOUT THE RULES THE GUY WAS TRYING TO GET HIS BIKE OUT OF THE WAY. THIS IS A SAFTY ISSUE. DO YOU RIDE BIKES?

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 11, 2012 at 5:30pm

turn the caps locks off, and yes I have tons of hours/miles/laps in the bank.

and ranting here won't mean anything to Peterhansel

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Permalink Reply by 7gason7 on January 11, 2012 at 5:31pm

Exactly, Not saying the 302 was right just answering the original question of why no time penalty issued.. I wish I could find one.

(I do ride a 1992 Yamaha XT225 Great little trail bike)

The one on disobeying the Sentinel is clear on today's stage (10) though 15min....

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Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 11, 2012 at 5:40pm

I agree, give him the 15 min penalty and carry on.
Problem is if they do give the penalty it is almost a sure bet Robby will lose the appeal.

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Permalink Reply by Brad on January 11, 2012 at 6:26pm

Lets just say if I'm on my bike and some a$$hole comes up the trail and hits me, he has shown no control of his situation and will get a punch in the nose.

Game on.

Permalink Reply by Rick Sigloch on January 11, 2012 at 4:40pm