To put this year in perspective we must study the past

Watching videos from this year’s Dakar I am struck by how calm and upbeat Robby is. There are many on the Planet that get nervous when the 303 or the 300 lose multiple minutes on a stage. Here is a chart of this years stage results:

2012 Stage Results

Stage Place Time Back Overall Time Ov. Place
1 5th +00:49 +00:49 5th
2 3rd +04:26 +02:28 2nd
3 5th +02:08 +00:54 2nd
4 14th +18:10 +16:23 5th
5 2nd +01:01 +13:32 4th
6  Cancelled

Seeing that 18:10 minute gap can make one think about panicing... but don't do it. Lets compare this year with what many regard as the high water mark for Team Speed 2009.

2009 Stage Results

Stage Place Time Back Overall Time Ov. Place
1 17th +14:25 +14:25 17th
2 10th +09:24 +21:32 10th
3 10th +13:25 +34:25 9th
4 10th +12:13 +46:45 9th
5 3rd +04:12 +41:48 7th
6 8th +32:23 +1:11:47 6th
7 3rd +04:13 +1:08:21 5th
8 8th +23:40 +1:32:01 5th
9 3rd +02:16 +1:34:17 5th
10 2nd +00:21 +1:34:38 5th
11 Cancelled
12 3rd +25:27 +1:18:52 3rd
13 16th +22:49 +1:27:13 3rd
14 23rd +19:02 +1:46:15 3rd

After 6 stages Robby is closer to the overall lead then he ever was in 2009. In 2009 he finished 3rd. This is a long race. Also notice he picked it up after the halfway point. He has promissed to do this again this year. Tighten up you belts settle in and enjoy what might be a very good year for Robby.

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Permalink Reply by 7gason7 on January 6, 2012 at 5:06pm

2010 top 3 Results

Place Team Time Back
1 303 Sainz/Cruz
2 306 Al-Attiyah/Gottschalk +2:12
3 305 Miller/Pitchford +32:51

Permalink Reply by 7gason7 on January 6, 2012 at 5:12pm

2011 top 3 results

Place Team Time Back
1 302 Al-Attiyah/Gottschalk
2 308 DE VILLIERS/Von Zitzewitz +00H:49M:41S
3 300 Sainz/Cruz +01H:20M:38S

Permalink Reply by MerlotMax on January 6, 2012 at 5:23pm

This years rally is shaping up great. If Team Speed can keep up the pace, the Mini's are bound to have a issue or two. Nasser is a animal and Robby is running great. We just need the little BS problems to stop and keep Nasser on track.

Permalink Reply by Vlad Rogers on January 6, 2012 at 5:27pm

Good post, he can make up the time by speed this year easily. But in 2009, the frontrunners dropped out one by one

Permalink Reply by 7gason7 on January 6, 2012 at 5:36pm

Exactly.. Long race anything can happen.

Permalink Reply by Blues on January 6, 2012 at 5:32pm

To put this year in perspective, you have to study the results, and the race wont be over for another week.

Permalink Reply by ROBERT SAVAGE on January 6, 2012 at 5:59pm

Had Nasser not had the problems he did other than stage 1 I beleive it would be 2 stage wins Robby, 2Stage wins Nasser. What if's don't count though.

Permalink Reply by Jeff Upp on January 6, 2012 at 6:15pm

Rg is genius for surrounding himself w/ champions & winners! This is the year! C'MON!!!!!

Permalink Reply by Christopher Lutz on January 6, 2012 at 6:16pm

Also - it may turn out RG doesn't have to "make up the time". Rather, the front runners can lose it with punctures, navigation or mechanical issues.

Personally, I'd like to see the gap slightly closer, but heck - he's burned up 10-15 minutes in towing Nasser alone.

The Hummers seem very stout so far, the team has responded well to issues (7 minute alternator change?!!!) - almost half way, almost a full complement of replacement parts.

I love the first 2 weeks of January.

Permalink Reply by pdxracefan on January 6, 2012 at 10:48pm

Responded well? I'd say so, with only one F-Liner and it's spares. They're miracle workers so far.

It can only get better now with two support trucks, one for each car, plus mechanics.

Permalink Reply by joseph on January 6, 2012 at 6:39pm

great post . i to think theirs nothing to panic about.teams are doing great compared to the past and i haven't seen $ posted yet but last years budget for bmw was over 100 million dollars, don't think just because vw inset hear your not competing against some serious manufacture teams.just for a team like robbys to be considered for a shot is a huge complement. from the press. off coarse in know a secret ? ............. and the winner of the 2012 DAKAR rally is ..... ..... !

Permalink Reply by Roger Redifer on January 6, 2012 at 6:42pm

Great post. Solid and postive. What an exciting race so far!

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