Now, who do we think could also be a Qualified Dakar Driver?

At the End of Dakar last season there was a huge discussion on who all the Planet members could or could not hack the Dakar. The Physical and Mental endurance to race the longest and hardest race in the World. Now, that we've had three of America's Best Desert racers once again give it a go the trophy is still not in America. BJ and Robby are both SCORE Champs and Mark Miller is Baja 500 and 1000 winner. So, with this on the Table what driver from what type of racing do we now think can Endure the DAKAR????

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Permalink Reply by GrayAntiMatter on January 16, 2010 at 7:15pm
I think the problem with Travis Pastrana is that even on his weapon of choice he was never very competitive in AMA. And his rally experience really is a matter of being a giant fish in a very small pond. Face it, he isn't taking on WRC level talent. It's impossible to really judge how he could measure up when forced to race against a group of high level talent in something like WRC or the major Rally Raids.

Don't get me wrong, the kid is entertaining as hell.....
Permalink Reply by Scott B on January 16, 2010 at 7:33pm
He was very competitive in AMA on the 125cc level until he got distracted with FMX.

He has stated multiple times that the WRC 'survival' type rally does not appeal to him. If the WRC doesn't appeal to him, then I highly doubt he would enjoy Dakar.

Hard to tell how he would do in a top level Citroen in the WRC. Lets not forget Pastrana beat McRae head 2 head in the x games when he was still learning.

It's like comparing F1 drivers to NASCAR drivers. WRC isn't very big in America.
Permalink Reply by GrayAntiMatter on January 16, 2010 at 4:18am
As for an off road guy that people here could be familiar with...Rob MacCachren. I don't understand why anyone is saying Andy McMillian other than the fact he was associated with RG Off Road for a very short period....
Permalink Reply by Scott B on January 16, 2010 at 10:22am
It seems Andy McMillin really has his stuff together right now...and he is young.
Permalink Reply by NIKAL on January 16, 2010 at 1:30pm
Rob MacCachren would be my guess as the best off-road racer out there that could compete with Robby and Mark Miller in Dakar.
Permalink Reply by matts11 on January 16, 2010 at 10:30am
travis pastrana, surprised that a sponsor has not put him in a car yet.
juan pablo yes in given time. if he spent time learning the in's and out and had a good team around him. they all said he would never do anything in nascrap, but he's done pretty good for himself in the last couple of years.
kyle busch would be interesting. I believe he would have the drive and determination to make himself good. Just not enough cars around for him to blame someone else.
Permalink Reply by Scott B on January 16, 2010 at 10:39am
Are we talking about American drivers? or all drivers?

JPM is not American...
Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on January 16, 2010 at 1:03pm
Yeah he is not qualified.LOL
Permalink Reply by john hall on January 16, 2010 at 11:07am
im thinking more like the guys who run the unlimited class at pikes peak.
Permalink Reply by Capt. Allen "Pez Loco" on January 16, 2010 at 12:31pm
Brendan Guaghn, or a Carl renezeder
Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on January 16, 2010 at 1:01pm
The first thing you have to take into account for a Dakar driver is cool under pressure. They also have to understand that come day 8 when you know you are on the outside looking in and you are sore as hell you must keep going. Another big deal is a driver who can trust his co-driver's skills. And finally they need to come into this deal with a certian ammount of fear and respect for the race it's self.

To be honest I don't think RG respected the Dakar until he was sitting there ripping parts off his car and putting them on some bitch's car. And if that didn't do it, spending the night in the pitch black desert stranded all night with a toasted clutch. I think the whole team got a Dakar kick in the nuts after that.

Sure fast reflexes, decent knowledge of your car and passion for racing are key factors.... But come day 5 more important factors come into play. And that goes for the whole crew.
Permalink Reply by geothermaljones on January 16, 2010 at 2:35pm
Kyle Busch, Greg Biffle, and a few others spend time in the desert buggies before the Vegas race, & Casey Mears is a big off road fan/driver, but I'm not sure any of them could be a serious contender.
Phelps & Armstrong I doubt either would stand a chance...

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