DAKAR RALLY

RG said there are some exciting things happining for the Dakar Rally......anyone know and can share.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike/WC77 on October 5, 2009 at 11:48am

I hear ya there Andy. I'm not a big fan of Hummer being owned by forigners.
However, all the product line will be produced by GM for some period of time. I'd kinda like to know myself how long that will be. Also if Sonic has another manufacture lined up to take over once the GM timeline is up....just outta sheer curiosity.

Sidenote: I had speculated that Rob would be shopping for new factory support.
The H3's could always be re-bodied as FJ's, or Highlanders with TRD motors.
Rob said (in June) he was fully satisfied with the evolution of his H3's. RGOR & GM have put a shitload of time in the wind tunnel developing that body. As a result Rob would be content keeping that with no factory support

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Permalink Reply by David Neth on October 5, 2009 at 11:54am

They are still being made in America, even under Chinese ownership.

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Permalink Reply by Mike/WC77 on October 5, 2009 at 2:49pm

Right, from what I understand the only thing thats changed (for now anyway) is where the profits end up.
All of the H2's & H3's are on GM platforms also. Even the HX concept vehicle is based off a GM platform. So I would think that will remain the same. At least until a full revamp of the product line...

Permalink Reply by C2B on October 3, 2009 at 10:27pm

With the potential of 1 billion+ home country fans, Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery would be crazy not to want to support Robby in a Hummer. Yao Ming and Robby Gordon could be the two biggest athlete's in China. The Planet would need to be translated into Chinese. Imagine the possibilities.

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Permalink Reply by Nitrosnoopy on October 4, 2009 at 12:41am

What about the support trucks any upgrade on those... So GM Racing not building engine ... hmmmm Hope its not Menards hopefully gm is pitching in with engineering support

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Permalink Reply by alan4s on October 4, 2009 at 8:49am

In one interview earlier this year, Robby said they have a new Frieghtliner race/support truck, to replace the MAN truck they used previously. He didn't get into too many details, and I haven't heard anything further. This is the kind of stuf that will keep us occupied here on the planet between Homestead/Baja and Dakar - should be more info available then.

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Permalink Reply by Dave-O on October 4, 2009 at 1:47am

here's a dumb question- will the 2010 DAKAR be in South America, or are they going to try Africa again?

Oh, and any early word on TV coverage?

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Permalink Reply by alan4s on October 4, 2009 at 8:46am

Yes, South America. Go to www.dakar.com to find maps and stuff. I haven't heard anything about TV in the US.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Meyer on October 4, 2009 at 9:20am

I see no reason why they wouldn't bring back the 1/2 hour nightly coverage on the Versus channel, but I cannot confirm that.

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Permalink Reply by soylent_green on October 5, 2009 at 12:44pm

I know that Quinn Cody is scheduled to race - haven't heard any other of the US riders you named were racing though. That would be cool.

As much as I am not a fan of KTM, ASO screwed them over with the announced change mid year and their attempt to save face with the restrictor plate addition.

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Permalink Reply by GTX - HEMI on October 4, 2009 at 11:51am

I remember the first year RG had posted pictures of the Hummer, frame, suspension and all the other goodies. I am sure it has evolved since then and I am sure it will be changing for 2010. Would we be able to see all this beautiful engineering soon or is it "TOP SECERET". The back story is more important to me being a motor head I love all the technology. Isn't it about the US against everyone else ?? When you have the other countrys spending millions all year long just to say "I WON THE DAKAR" with no less than 4 - 5 entry's, and here is RG one team trying to kick there butt.........I am sorry it is exciting. I hate to get all AMERICAN on you but no one does it better than us. The best part is they wrote the book, made the rules and winning the game, now we are going to show them how it is done. The motorcycle story is also exciting. If I was KTM I would be in the 450 class to prove it's not about HP but, making a better mouse trap and be able to use it.

I say RGM & MOTORCYCLE CREWS show them how it is done "AMERICAN STYLE".

...............................and no we aren't going to apologize when we win.

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Permalink Reply by Wheaton56 on October 4, 2009 at 3:13pm

I would hope when the Hummer deal desolvs RG will keep an american body on the hummer chassis.......
IMO RG should keep it a hummer.

heres a thought.....
Maybe he will sell the old hummers and build some new chassis from scratch...with new body.