Is this an example of the ASO talking smack??

Article from Dakar.com promoting the potential of Peterhansel getting his 10th victory overall...

"Over the rally fortnight, all eyes will be on the X-Raid team's 4x4s, and above all on Stéphane Peterhansel's Mini. But on the Dakar, no one's immune to technical faults or driving error. And there are plenty of contenders for the title just waiting for the competition to show the slightest sign of weakness, like former Dakar winners Nasser Al Attiyah (Hummer) and Giniel De Villiers (Toyota).

Dakar's record-holding driver is Stéphane Peterhansel. With the nine titles to his name – collected during the course of his motorcycle and car career – he ranks top of the winners' list, standing out among the rally pilots as a talented all-rounder thanks to the qualities and experience he has acquired since first taking part in 1988. Since the end of the Mitsubishi era though, rivals from Volkswagen have been causing trouble for the Frenchman and his long-standing co-pilot Jean-Paul Cottret. But the German brand's withdrawal now puts Peterhansel in an ideal position on the way to earning his tenth title. Behind the wheel of the Mini that met with initial painful experiences on the Dakar last year with Guerlain Chicherit, “Peter” is now tipped as favourite, but also warns ”the last thing we must do is start believing it's all cut and dried”. The predictions being made everywhere at the moment all see X-Raid armada way out in front with their five Minis, including those of Krzysztof Holowczyc, winner of the Silk Way 2011, and Nani Roma who came third in Dakar 2006. But on the 8300 km of tracks and dunes that await them, they face tough competition that has re-formed in the other teams.

Despite his late entry, Nasser Al Attiyah has in no way lowered his ambitions after his victory last year. The big-name recruit from Robby Gordon's team will be piloting a Hummer H3 that secured a place on the podium back in 2009. But the Qatari, who's refined his driving skills over the years, may get even further with this vehicle than the impetuous Californian. When the hour of truth comes in Lima, a further former winner, Giniel de Villiers, could well have clinched it. The South African is the spearhead at Toyota who are aiming to get a Hilux pickup among the top 3. A second specimen of the vehicle is being entrusted to Argentine standard bearer Orlando Terranova.

Given the density of outstanding vehicles on this year's starting line, places in the top 10, let alone the top 5, will be fiercely contested. Apart from the Mini, X-Raid is also entering three BMW X3s (Garafulic, Mironenko, Schott) which, for example, will be battling against Christian Lavieille (eighth in 2011) behind the wheel of a brand-new Proto 011 Dessoude. The Great Wall from Carlos Sousa, who's back again after missing a year (sixth in 2010), could also put a spanner in the works in just the same way as the Riwald team's Mitsubishi Lancers and, in particular, the one driven by Bernhard Ten Brinke who recently won the Morocco Rally."

Not sure about you all, but when I use the word impetuous it is in a negative manner.. For example:

"You are going to choose to drink a Red Bull over a Speed Energy? I do protest this impetuous decision."

im·pet·u·ous [im-pech-oo-uhs]
adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or characterized by sudden or rash action, emotion, etc.; impulsive: an impetuous decision; an impetuous person.
2. having great impetus; moving with great force; violent: the impetuous winds.

I like the second definition better...

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Pete Petree on December 29, 2011 at 9:00am

Thanks for sharing the article and your example of the definition.

Permalink Reply by ROBERT SAVAGE on December 29, 2011 at 12:09pm

We Americans might use the word "Maverick".

Permalink Reply by Team Maranello on December 29, 2011 at 12:13pm

Ummm, talkin Smack equates to Talking cr*p

Permalink Reply by Team Maranello on December 29, 2011 at 12:11pm

I would not call that talking smack, You have to respect the likes of Stéphane Peterhansel. You have to be very very good to win the number of times he has won, both on a Bike and Car. Robby does has done an amazing effort and is the crowd favorate, but at the end of the day it is absolute victory and not the journey that counts. (In case of an amature racer, the journey is more important than any hope of victory, I dont consider RG an Amature.)

Permalink Reply by kurt kern on December 29, 2011 at 12:55pm

I agree. Literal translations fail to bridge cultural differences and behavioral bias......including our own. We can cut some slack here. There is plenty of national pride to go around.

Let's stay focused on racing the track first, and second the clock. If we are the best at those, we win.

Go Robby and Nassar!

Permalink Reply by Short Bus on December 30, 2011 at 1:47am

ASO is French. I found the same article written in French and instead of impetuous, they called Gordon, a fiery Californian. I chalk it all up to translation vagary as it was originally written in French.

Permalink Reply by Kevin Meyer on December 29, 2011 at 1:54pm

I feel the same in regards to the idea that there may be something lost in translation. But I felt that this might have been a good talking point...

Permalink Reply by Poncho Villa on December 29, 2011 at 2:38pm

Hmmmm, like Poncho Villa!!!

Permalink Reply by Bill Waskey on December 29, 2011 at 4:56pm

To me impetuous is a derogatory description of Robby -- driven, committed, fearless, love of the Edge are far more appropriate. Given the benefits that can be derived for his Speed Energy brand this year I believe desire for success and return on investment for all the stakeholders, including Robby's fans will be his motivation. Robby, more than any other sports figure any of us can think of, appreciates his fans and their loyalty to him and the Speed Energy Team.

Bill

Permalink Reply by MTwomn on December 29, 2011 at 5:50pm