Jan 12th, 2013 Dakar Rally Stage 8 Race Info & Discussion

Join in and discuss all the action from Stage 8 of the 2013 Dakar Rally. Robby Gordon recorded his 3rd straight 3rd place finish in Stage 7, but remains 23rd overall. Gordon is still down over 5 hours in the overall, but will get yet another good starting spot in an attempt to win his first stage of the rally. The cars are slated to begin the special section of stage 8 at 12:05pm/et and Robby Gordon will begin his special section around 12:11pm/etam/et. Raceday chat will be available throughout the entire 2013 Dakar Rally. UPDATE: Stage 8 will now begin at KM288.

2013 Photos

STAGE 8 TRACKING

STAGE 8: SALTA > SAN MIGUEL DE TUCAMAN

Connection 379km | Special Stage 470km | Total 849km

COURSE OVERVIEW

The Tucuman route will be divided into two timed sections with a variety of scenery. With hoodoos, canyons and cacti, the competitors will discover the red and green backdrop of Argentina’s most beautiful natural landscape, which will unfold for more than 150 km creating a Western atmosphere. During the second half of the timed section, which will take place in a region completely unknown to the Dakar, the contrast will be apparent on the sandy and sometimes tricky tracks. It may also be manifested through the weather conditions, if the wind is combined with the high temperatures which ravage the region. The rest day will rarely have been more deserved, in particular for the motorcyclists who will finish their marathon stage..

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Permalink Reply by mark roye on January 13, 2013 at 11:51pm

Correction---lead only 28 seconds!

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Permalink Reply by pdxracefan on January 13, 2013 at 2:35pm

So, with sleeping and all, I've been away from the laptop for awhile. After reading through all the posts since I left I can only say What A Mess. I don't think what they did is really surprising. Alot of the ASO's decisions over the years have left me scratching my head. As WJM says about decisions and correct decisions is spot on. Gas on Robby.

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Permalink Reply by Ray Therat on January 13, 2013 at 3:04pm

Have you ever followed Le Mans? The event, not the movie. It's run by the ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest) and their actions, decisions, rules...you name it...are about the same as the ASO's. The mere fact that they're in the same country and generally comprised of people of that country (I could say the same thing about the FIA, except they're in Switzerland...but mostly French)...well, it's been known for years that the ACO does its best to ensure a French winner...up to the point of giving the French teams the best pit locations.

I've spent time in France and, well...it's not on my list of places to revisit. On the other hand, French teams have come to the US and competed in other forms of motorsport. ALMS is the first one that comes to mind. The Peugeot diesel LMP 1 cars competed on an equal basis with the other teams and when breakdowns or crashes didn't play a part in the outcome, they were as likely to win as any other P1 competitor (read: Audi.)

My opinion is that there has always been a "nationalistic" nature to events run by French organizations ever since Jimmy Murphy won the French GP in 1921 driving a Deusenberg. He was boo'ed when he took the checkered flag and I don't think they've gotten over it yet.

Hell, it even goes back to the Gordon Bennett races of 1900-1905. But then every country that hosted the race back then tried to stack the deck in their own favor.

In any case, Gas On, RG! Don't take any prisoners!

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Permalink Reply by Wheaton56 on January 13, 2013 at 4:45pm

Although I agree with you. My kids play baseball when they were 3 and 4 years old. At that age tbey dont understand the win loose thing. They are having fun......but when kids get older they do need to understand defeat and accomplishment. Not a grown man and race team

Edit: this was for an earlier post

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Permalink Reply by John Schulte on January 13, 2013 at 5:30pm

I find it kinda weird that if you subtract the 30 minutes (3x10) Robby was stuck and the 5 hours he was upside down, he would be 3rd overall. This 3rd place thing is making me wonder if the late great Dale Earnhardt Sr. is trying to tell us something? Did someone slap a Dale Sr. sticker on the Hummer when no-one was looking? I'm just saying.

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Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 13, 2013 at 10:48pm

Now didn't Sr play a part in getting Robby into Nascar?

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Permalink Reply by MerlotMax on January 13, 2013 at 7:14pm

This addition of the Dakar has just been a JOKE! Some of these decisions by the ASO leave a lot to be desired. The time for Stage should have been taken at the last WP before the river for ALL of the racers.