Jan 12th, 2014 Dakar Rally Stage 7 Race Info & Discussion

Join in and discuss all the action from Stage 7 of the 2014 Dakar Rally. Robby Gordon recorded a disappointing 21st place finish in stage 6, and is now 21st overall. Robby Gordon will begin stage 7 at 7:58am/et

2014 Rest Day Photos

STAGE 7 TRACKING

STAGE 7: SALTA > SALTA

Connection 230km | Special Stage 533km | Total 763km

COURSE OVERVIEW

This mega loop with a 500-km long special stage on the agenda will test the teams’ ability to adapt to changes of pace. After stony terrains at the beginning of the day, some top speeds will be recorded in the second part of the stage, and then the drivers’ road techniques will be tested, and all of this at an average altitude of almost 3,500m. To end this highly emotional day, they will have to cross a vast salt flat extending over twenty or so kilometres: a straight stretch which will make the competitors’ heads spin.

The GREEN section of the route is the connection , the RED is the Special Section of the stage.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by TOG on January 12, 2014 at 4:10pm

Post stage 7 team recap video will give insight on the challenges of today's stage. Hopefully we will have that before stage 8 begins.

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Permalink Reply by Bob on January 12, 2014 at 4:13pm

Yep, it will be interesting to know what happened, particularly after all the mods that were made. Hopefully the delay was not because of them.

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Permalink Reply by Tim Nation on January 12, 2014 at 4:21pm

Thanks for all your hard work

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Permalink Reply by David Z on January 12, 2014 at 4:13pm

Just went outside to find my car almost in the road. Slid down the driveway.

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Permalink Reply by Tim Nation on January 12, 2014 at 4:22pm

I had the happen once..... lucky mine did not hit the other car parked at the bottom of the hill... hope yours is ok

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Permalink Reply by David Z on January 12, 2014 at 4:26pm

All good, saved by a snowbank and a bare patch in the nice wet smooth ice. Another 5 feet and it would have been in the road.

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Permalink Reply by blake keithley on January 12, 2014 at 5:25pm

I hate that when it happens.

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Permalink Reply by alan4s on January 12, 2014 at 5:33pm

I trimmed the palm trees, and sprayed down the sidewalk. Got my flip-flops full of crud though, so I feel your pain.

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Permalink Reply by yano on January 12, 2014 at 4:14pm

just one stage win ..... it's not over till it's over .. right !?

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Permalink Reply by Hendricus on January 12, 2014 at 4:14pm

Radiator location:
I like that they went for it yesterday and moved the radiator. In one day they have answered the question of whether or not the rear radiator location is the problem. I still like the rear location for protection reasons, but if you can't get the airflow you need in the rear location, then the front it is.

The larger inlet scoops are intended to increase air flow. I still don't understand how they are directing/assisting the exhaust side, but I'm sure Robby and team have considered this.

Overheating:
It's possible the engine is damaged from the earlier overheating. If a combustion chamber is leaking at any one of the three locations, this can contribute to overheating. It's time for a leak down, and possibly swapping the heads, pistons and rings. Can this be done in one night? This is a lot of work!