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Robby Gordon To Compete In the 2013 Dakar Rally
Charlotte, N.C. (December 4, 2012) – With no desert too large and no mountain too tall, the SPEED Energy HUMMER on victory proven Toyo Tires will once again attempt to conquer the world’s most famous off-road event. The custom-built Dakar HUMMER driven by Robby Gordon and navigator Kellon Walch will tackle more than 8000 Km / 4970 Mi from Peru through Argentina and ending in Santiago, Chile making it the ultimate off-road adventure; the 35th Annual Dakar Rally.
Registration discussions between A.S.O and Team Gordon began back in the early summer months in preparation for the 2013 Dakar Rally, and on December 2 registration for the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires / MAPEI HUMMER became official. The A.S.O and the team agreed on a pre-check inspection of the Dakar HUMMER prior to being approved to race. Once the detailed inspection of the Dakar HUMMER and its air-inflation system by A.S.O. officials, the team was approved to officially race the 2013 Dakar Rally.
“I am excited to go back to race the prestigious Dakar Rally and show the world that we are ready to give it our best shot once again at an overall victory. Obviously our cars are good enough to compete for the win. Last year we had the fastest cars at the rally and led the most check points with the fastest times, with five wins as a team, two wins with the second HUMMER (which was also approved and is available to compete) and three wins for myself. It is now time for us to go back and capitalize on what we developed and worked on over the last seven years to put ourselves in position to compete for the overall win. “
For the first time in its history, the Dakar Rally will begin in Lima, Peru, sending upwards of 460 vehicles from 53 countries on a two-week, 14-stage endurance race through 3 Western South American countries, ultimately finishing in the Chilean capital of Santiago. This year’s Dakar will begin on January 5 and will travel on a new course featuring sections not seen to racing since the moving of the Dakar to South America in 2009, marking the most difficult course to date.
Gordon will be joined in the cockpit by his navigator, Kellon Walch, who served as team navigator for B.J. Baldwin in 2010 and for Gordon in 2011. Walch looks to bring back the experience and chemistry gained as the team’s navigator in previous rally races along with the focus and drive needed to guide the vehicle through the challenging navigation obstacles that Gordon will face.
The various aspects of Peru’s natural features will put a real test to the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires / MAPEI Dakar HUMMER in the early stages of the rally as Gordon will face gigantic dunes and rugged terrain requiring precise focus and skill to gain an early advantage. Entering Chile will set the stage for a fast pace duel through the desert before crossing the Andes Mountains into Argentina where record altitude and temperature will become a crucial factor for driver and navigator.
After a much needed day of rest on the eighth day, the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires team will set out for the longest and most technical stage of the Rally navigating through the narrow twists and turns of the forest. The rapid assistance vehicles will not have access to this stage, requiring precise driving to be a must. Entering Chile for the final stages of the Rally will once again bring dunes into the equation, testing the driver’s fatigue and equipment to the finish in Santiago.
Once reaching the Chilean capital, the small percent of the drivers who finish the 2013 Dakar Rally will partake in a short show course offering spectators and fans the chance to cheer on the new heroes who have successfully conquered the 2013 Dakar Rally. The following day the accomplishment of each of the drivers will be recognized with an elaborate ceremony planned on the Plaza de la Constituciόn.
To follow Gordon and the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires team as they try to rise above the competition at the legendary Dakar Rally, log onto www.speedenergy.com and www.toyotires.com for race team updates. Fans can also participate in the Dakar Rally experience by connecting on http://www.planetrobby.com and follow along with the team on Facebook and Twitter at: www.facebook.com/thespeedenergydrink, and www.facebook.com/toyotires, http://twitter.com/SPEED_ENERGY, http://twitter.com/ToyoTires.
Daily highlights from each stage can be viewed on the NBC Sports Network (DIRECTV Channel 220 / Dish Network Channel 159 / AT&T U-Verse Channel 1640 / Verizon FiOS Channel 590) January 5th – the 20th. Please check your local listings for times & schedules on the NBC Sports Network.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on
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Johnny Campbell, he'll be at DAKAR,racing,for Honda
Kellon Walsh will co-dog,Kellon is very good and he's not new to working with Robby
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Permalink Reply by Tooltime on
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Spoke to Kellon the other day, but I couldnt say anything, or he would have tried to stick a firehose where the sun dont shine! lol
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Permalink Reply by Speed Freak 7 on
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A major money taker would be in developing a new vehicle and not getting exposure for a couple of years. The Hummers took half of the stage wins and would have taken more if Robby hadn't had to keep stopping to help Nasser. The fact that more competitors are trying to build copy cats of the Hummers should tell you where they think the future of Dakar vehicles is going.
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Permalink Reply by Head Held High on
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@Mark R oh so you think the rally is a major money taker? it would be twice that and more to develop an AWD Diesel - not going to happen. 2WD has proven it can be a factor for the win.
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Permalink Reply by Wally Meier on
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Kevin do you stand by your earlier statement that Nasser's new ride won't last past the third stage? and if so we should start a pool, Stage, race mile etc as to when he falls by the way side??
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Permalink Reply by Amar on
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Do we know if Miles is going? I know he is with somebody else on nascar side. He should be a great one to keep Robby's hummer up.
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HELL YEAH!!!!!! Like WJM said, the ASO knows how important it is to have someone of the caliber of Robby Gordon participate in this race. He draws the crowds
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Permalink Reply by Joe Stokes on
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i had heard that Clyde Stacy was running the 2nd hummer. but I know that he had a accident while pre running the baja 1000 this year so he might not be able to race. looking forward to seeing who it will be.
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Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on
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Well Let the fun begin!
I believe the overall will be a stretch, unless he gets at least 2 hummers in the event, but we are never short on dream around here are we!!
I am just happy as a pig in shit to be back in the race this year.
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