Jan 9th Dakar Rally Stage 7 Race Chat

Join us for the Dakar Rally on Jan 9, 2009 , right here and chat about the action during the 7th stage.

Stage 7 - Friday, January 9

Mendoza (ARG) > Valparaiso (CHL)

Connection: 80 km | Special: 419 km | Connection: 317 km | Total: 816 km
The variety of terrains and landscapes, a constant given for the Dakar 2009, is evident once again on this stage, where, in addition to a change of country, most of the competitors will get to know the Cordillera of the Andes. Before measuring themselves with the mountains, they must cross over a series of dunes and endure a session of fesh fesh, which is identical to Saharan sand, but which the inhabitants of the region call “guadal”. Concerning the mountains, this will be the only special to include passageways at 3,000 meters on technical routes that will sometimes allow a glimpse of the Aconcagua, the highest point in the Andes (6,959 m). Then, competitors will cross the border on the link section to reach the sea at Valparaiso.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by IndyTim on January 9, 2009 at 7:44am

it is so hilarious to watch those things go........and go they do.......

Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on January 8, 2009 at 7:15pm

Basically the lead car whom ever it is gets priority. At this stage I still think it would be a field decision. Say if miller pulled up to DeVilliers and he had to be pulled out and it takes 5 minutes Miller would pull him out because the gap is larger. But, if Miller pulled up to DeVilliers and he needed 20 or 30 minutes worth of help Miller would go on and bump up the pecking order.

After tomorrow it will finally be the halfway point.

If Robby plays it smart he will get to the start of stage 11 building his gap on the guys behind him. Only then think about what he has to do to win.

It will come down to everyone getting their fair share of problems.

Permalink Reply by Capt. Allen"Pez Loco" on January 8, 2009 at 8:07pm

Looking back at the recon, the pacific side is alot rockier and full of whoops, maybe time to use that long travel and power.

Permalink Reply by Team Maranello on January 8, 2009 at 8:18pm

It is a german team. You bet there will be team orders. They orders for everything,

Permalink Reply by GrayAntiMatter on January 9, 2009 at 2:31am

You must have missed when RG pulled over in 2005 to perform repairs on a teammates VW before the support truck even showed up....

Permalink Reply by Team Maranello on January 8, 2009 at 11:22pm

The VW might be slow tomorrow. They are having load of sausages tonight. C'mon Robby, time to get the germans when they pigging out on their Wurst, This Rally is taking a toll on its fans. Good night, see you in the am
News from the Volkswagen bivouac

- All you can eat – Volkswagen awarded an unusual sausage licence: Six rubber stamps, seven signatures, and two visits to the bivouac from a sizeable delegation – after several days of negotiations, Argentina’s veterinary ministry has granted Volkswagen permission to consume the supplies of frankfurters that it has brought with it. Importing food to Argentina is not usually permitted, but the authorities made an exception for the Volkswagen team – involving an official inspection and all documentation in duplicate. But the technicians, drivers and engineers need to get eating the sausages as soon as possible, as all food has to be used up before the "Dakar" armada crosses the border into Chile on Friday.

Permalink Reply by 7gason7 on January 9, 2009 at 12:56am

From Ramses blog update:

"We cross the Chilean border tomorrow and head towards Valparaiso Chile. Stage 7 has been shortened again due to the same weather that affected stage 6."

Permalink Reply by jack on January 9, 2009 at 5:58am

They shortened it again!!!

07:01

ROUTE MODIFICATION
Due to the difficulties encountered on the last section of dunes in the 6th stage yesterday, the organizers have decided to make a few alterations to the day’s stage. As a result, the route has been shortened and the finishing line of the special stage has been moved to the initially planned CP1. The day’s special will therefore only be 243.36 km, and will only involve the bikes and cars. In fact, the truck special has been cancelled, so the heavy duty machines will go straight to Valaparaiso, in Chile, on a link stage

Permalink Reply by GasOnRobby on January 9, 2009 at 7:39am