A Disappointing End to Robby Gordon’s Dakar Rally Effort

Charlotte, NC (January 7, 2011) – When Team HUMMER departed on their journey to Argentina on December 27th, returning home early defeated was not part of the plan. On Wednesday during Stage 4 of the event, the No. 303 SPEED Energy/Toyo Tires HUMMER was disqualified from the 2011 Dakar Rally. After breaking a wheel bearing in the liaison stage that leads to the special, the No. 303 team was on the clock to repair the damage. With little time to deploy the support vehicles to his aid, the new wheel bearing could not be replaced on the HUMMER in the time allotted to the team, resulting in automatic disqualification.

“Disappointed doesn’t even begin to describe the way I’m feeling right now, not only for me but for everyone involved,” says Gordon. As a driver, Robby knows that he can’t have a successful team without a first-rate support system, sponsors and fans included. “Knowing all the hard work and dedication that was put into this program is what makes our untimely exit from the Dakar Rally a hard pill to swallow,” he continues to say.

“While it may not appear like it due to our performance thus far, countless hours went into this effort. To have a wheel bearing fail is just sickening…a huge, huge disappointment,” Gordon comments. “We run this same wheel bearing on the trophy truck and have put thousands of kilometers on HUMMERs, and we have never had this part fail.” Once the equipment returns from Argentina every part of the HUMMER will be scrutinized to determine what caused the mechanical failure, and preparation for next year’s Rally will commence.

“Since we had an early exit from the Rally, I intend to compete in the Laughlin race next weekend in the trophy truck and conquer another SCORE championship.”


In the meantime, Gordon would like to thank all his fans for the supportive emails, Facebook and Twitter posts. Gordon says, “I’ve got the best sponsors and fans in the world, and I don’t like disappointing them.” Before returning to the US next week, Gordon has decided to continue along the route to support Eliseo Salazar’s effort. He will host a media tomorrow, giving journalists a ride of their life in the HUMMER.

The No. 327 SPEED Energy/Cristal CERO HUMMER, driven by Eliseo Salazar, continues to compete in the rally and is currently in the 56th overall position. SPEED DEMON, Quinn Cody, finished a respectable 13th during stage six of the 2011 Dakar Rally. He is now 12th in the overall standings.

About SPEED Energy – SPEED Energy is available in three flavors: Unleaded, Fuel, and Octane, which provides the human machine with the fuel it needs to keep up with the SPEED of life. Each drink contains a potent energy blend of B-vitamins, caffeine, taurine and ginseng. SPEED is packaged in 12 ounce sleek cans that have a stylish black top and sexy body and are available in singles, four-packs, and cases. SPEED Energy is available in the United States in major retailers, convenience stores, grocery stores, bars and nightclubs. For more information, please visit speedenergy.com.

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go kick some butt at Laughlin,

 

hope the truck is ready

This years Hummer looked very nice,I wouldn't give up on it yet, another year of development should make it even better. Cant wait to see it next year! Any word on those journalists, have they caught there breath yet? hard to change your shorts when you are out of breath!
Keep  up  the  hard  work  Robbie  it  will  pay  off   we  are  pulling  for  you  
I saw a SPEED ENERGY Chevy Chase truck on the 60fwy in Riverside this afternoon pulling a enclosed trailer with tire racks.  Where 4 to 5 hars from Parker.  Could he be back already?
See ya in Laughlin. Next week.
Saw a Grove lumber Pre-Runner 4 seater on the Fwy also

So glad to hear that Robby will be back next year, I was disappointed to hear him say no originally. Will the Hummer still be an acceptable entry next year since GM has sold off the brand?

stay tuned...................................

Well next year its time for some changes like:

Change the serpentine belt routing and add an idler pulley

Change Alternators every 2 days

X-ray all bearings for defects

 

To keep:

2WD.  Some videos on here are proof that RG needs to stay 2WD with the long travel otherwise those videaos will be very BORING.  Darn, this guy can drive/fly like NO ONE ELSE on this planet. Case closed..

If they run the Hummer's again, why not mount a stator to the flywheel and bag the alternator.
Bag the alternator?  What does that mean?
loose the dirt catcher,it's a falure waiting to happen!

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