Robby Gordon Regains Momentum in Dakar Rally with Third-Place Finish in Stage 5

ANTOFAGASTA, Chile (Jan. 8, 2015) – After several frustrating days where mechanical issues derailed Robby Gordon’s bid for an overall Dakar Rally win, the American driver ran a great fifth stage in his Traxxas/Toyo Tires Gordini to finish third, vastly improving his starting position for Friday’s sixth stage.

Gordon and navigator Johnny Campbell led through the early part of Thursday’s stage, but between the second and third timed waypoints they lost 11 minutes and 41 seconds to the eventual stage winner and fell back to the 10th position in the process. From that point forward, aggressive driving and perfect navigation allowed Gordon and Campbell to gain 10 minutes and 6 seconds on the leader before the finish.

Russian Vladimir Vasilyev was scored the provisional stage winner with a time of 4 hours, 19 minutes and 18 seconds, and Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Alrajhi followed 20 seconds behind. Gordon’s third-place run was completed in 4 hours, 20 minutes and 43 seconds, and elevates him to 32th in the overall standings. He trails Nasser Al-Attiyah of Saudi Arabia by 5 hours, 45 minutes and 46 seconds.

Gordon’s spot on the podium makes his HST Gordini only the third different constructor to finish among the top-three positions thus far, with Mini and Toyota representing the other manufacturers. Gordon’s car is the only entry among the leaders that is not affiliated with a major automotive manufacturer and was fully developed by Gordon’s company.

“With stage wins in previous Rally events and good runs like today, we prove that we can run with anyone,” Gordon said. “None of our issues this week were really avoidable and they were freak incidents. We’re hopeful that these weird issues are behind us and our plan is to win multiple stages before the end of this year’s Dakar to make our presence known.”

Friday’s sixth stage will consist of 647 kilometers (402 miles) of which 255 kilometers (158 miles) will be the timed section for the cars. Its relatively short distance will climb up the Pacific coast towards Iquique. For the first time, the halfway point in the race will be marked on a podium in the center of Iquique. The experience between drivers and their fans should be emotional, as a powerful earthquake struck the region and triggered a tsunami in April last year.

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Keep charging hard Team SPEED! Good Luck!

Great Job !
Good luck tomorrow. Let's hope for a stage win!
Way to go Robby and team! So proud of you! Keep Diggin'!

Let's keep it going!!!! GREAT JOB!!!!!

what an outstanding job robby has done,the gordoni is a great looking ride with a little luck robby will be the overall winner,it is just a matter of time,this is the most grueling competition there is,a great measure of driver talent and skill where the terrain and course are the great equalizer.It is why when there are no mechanical issue's robby is standing on the podium at the end of the day.it is why he is the most talented driver out there,the nascar wannabes can't hold a candle to him.the F1 guys no chance.i hope he has the sponsors and money to keep doing the rally he will win it just a matter of when

Excellent spirit, despite annoying problems.
Good luck for stage #6!

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