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Robby Gordon To Compete In the 2013 Dakar Rally
Charlotte, N.C. (December 4, 2012) – With no desert too large and no mountain too tall, the SPEED Energy HUMMER on victory proven Toyo Tires will once again attempt to conquer the world’s most famous off-road event. The custom-built Dakar HUMMER driven by Robby Gordon and navigator Kellon Walch will tackle more than 8000 Km / 4970 Mi from Peru through Argentina and ending in Santiago, Chile making it the ultimate off-road adventure; the 35th Annual Dakar Rally.
Registration discussions between A.S.O and Team Gordon began back in the early summer months in preparation for the 2013 Dakar Rally, and on December 2 registration for the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires / MAPEI HUMMER became official. The A.S.O and the team agreed on a pre-check inspection of the Dakar HUMMER prior to being approved to race. Once the detailed inspection of the Dakar HUMMER and its air-inflation system by A.S.O. officials, the team was approved to officially race the 2013 Dakar Rally.
“I am excited to go back to race the prestigious Dakar Rally and show the world that we are ready to give it our best shot once again at an overall victory. Obviously our cars are good enough to compete for the win. Last year we had the fastest cars at the rally and led the most check points with the fastest times, with five wins as a team, two wins with the second HUMMER (which was also approved and is available to compete) and three wins for myself. It is now time for us to go back and capitalize on what we developed and worked on over the last seven years to put ourselves in position to compete for the overall win. “
For the first time in its history, the Dakar Rally will begin in Lima, Peru, sending upwards of 460 vehicles from 53 countries on a two-week, 14-stage endurance race through 3 Western South American countries, ultimately finishing in the Chilean capital of Santiago. This year’s Dakar will begin on January 5 and will travel on a new course featuring sections not seen to racing since the moving of the Dakar to South America in 2009, marking the most difficult course to date.
Gordon will be joined in the cockpit by his navigator, Kellon Walch, who served as team navigator for B.J. Baldwin in 2010 and for Gordon in 2011. Walch looks to bring back the experience and chemistry gained as the team’s navigator in previous rally races along with the focus and drive needed to guide the vehicle through the challenging navigation obstacles that Gordon will face.
The various aspects of Peru’s natural features will put a real test to the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires / MAPEI Dakar HUMMER in the early stages of the rally as Gordon will face gigantic dunes and rugged terrain requiring precise focus and skill to gain an early advantage. Entering Chile will set the stage for a fast pace duel through the desert before crossing the Andes Mountains into Argentina where record altitude and temperature will become a crucial factor for driver and navigator.
After a much needed day of rest on the eighth day, the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires team will set out for the longest and most technical stage of the Rally navigating through the narrow twists and turns of the forest. The rapid assistance vehicles will not have access to this stage, requiring precise driving to be a must. Entering Chile for the final stages of the Rally will once again bring dunes into the equation, testing the driver’s fatigue and equipment to the finish in Santiago.
Once reaching the Chilean capital, the small percent of the drivers who finish the 2013 Dakar Rally will partake in a short show course offering spectators and fans the chance to cheer on the new heroes who have successfully conquered the 2013 Dakar Rally. The following day the accomplishment of each of the drivers will be recognized with an elaborate ceremony planned on the Plaza de la Constituciόn.
To follow Gordon and the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires team as they try to rise above the competition at the legendary Dakar Rally, log onto www.speedenergy.com and www.toyotires.com for race team updates. Fans can also participate in the Dakar Rally experience by connecting on http://www.planetrobby.com and follow along with the team on Facebook and Twitter at: www.facebook.com/thespeedenergydrink, and www.facebook.com/toyotires, http://twitter.com/SPEED_ENERGY, http://twitter.com/ToyoTires.
Daily highlights from each stage can be viewed on the NBC Sports Network (DIRECTV Channel 220 / Dish Network Channel 159 / AT&T U-Verse Channel 1640 / Verizon FiOS Channel 590) January 5th – the 20th. Please check your local listings for times & schedules on the NBC Sports Network.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Wally Meier on
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It appears Mapei has stepped up involvement hats off to them, hoping for an experienced driver who can help keep the pressure on the XRaid team. Gas On !! Robby!
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Permalink Reply by Marc Nelson on
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Happy New Years! Now besides play-off football, I've got RG to follow in January. I still think to keep the French of his ASS, find a way to get Sebastien Loeb in that second Hummer.
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Permalink Reply by Tooltime on
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I only used Mapei products when I tiled my house due to their support of RGM. And now that TOYO has a much needed improved A/T tire, that will be my next tire puchase. Thats how Team TOOL rolls! lol
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Permalink Reply by Crandaddy on
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In the last two months new Toyo's on my Tacoma and the wife's Suburban, also sporting some on the Duramax.
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anyone know if the Hummer has undergone any specific design changes/improvements for this year?
Also - for you off-roaders...does the course layout this year help or hurt the big 2WD beast?
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Permalink Reply by Combo on
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Helps. Dunes first. Can get a lead or stay with competitors. Instead of playing catch up from the start like the past.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Meyer on
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They eliminated the WRC-style Argentinean stages where in the past some of the other cars were better able to compete. I worry how many high altitude stages there are as I would assume the Diesels would perform better. And why is there only a 13 KM special for stage 1? It's a race not a parade.
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Permalink Reply by mj on
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Cool to see Mapei stepping up but just don't know how great Mapei blue and SPEED orange go together lol . It's defiantly bright !
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Follows in the great tradition of the Gulf colors (Porsche 917's), Awesome heritage!
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OMG now that you mention it yeah I remember those old Porsches lol . Still not sold on the paint scheme but its growing on me lol
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Permalink Reply by Dave Horwath on
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I think it looks AWESOME..pops like crazy!
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@MJ, the blue helps the Llamas see us coming, and know to get out of the way!
People, I cant believe after all these years we are still talking All-Wheel drive....Lets start with desert racing in the states. How many functional TT's do we see which are AWD????? The 2wd's are given some additional itemsfor the DAKAR over the AWD's due to them being,,,,wait for it,,,,2WD. Two things right off the top of my head, and a huge factor why Nasser and others are heading to the dark side of 2WD. We get more wheel travel.There is nothing better than gobs of a finely tuned long travel chassis. Next, we are allowed a larger tire with the contoversial tire deflation system. Just saying.
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