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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Permalink Reply by J.R. Sands on December 13, 2012 at 12:47pm

Joe, I bet SP gets some and so does RG....it will be a great Dakar. I think the Dunes are a big factor this year....

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Permalink Reply by Joe Parsons on December 17, 2012 at 3:09am

Yea RG will be again very Hard to beat..so this year the race will be even better I just would like to see a fight to the end..

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Permalink Reply by Jake Blaze on December 13, 2012 at 2:53am

Picture should read "American Rebel with a cause - Kick ass"

Go Rob

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Permalink Reply by Speed Freak 7 on December 13, 2012 at 1:19pm

I remember the 1st time I saw a program on the Dakar, I think it was Wide World of Sports. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe it was Rod Hall had entered 2 stock H1 Hummers that year. The 1 thing that sticks in my mind was the dunes had changed from a big storm and a lot of vehicle kept flying over this 1 part and finally this big Kamuz comes flying off the top of the dune and does a nose plant on the facing side. I've been hooked on the Dakar since seeing it that 1st time. It's gonna be an epic race this year with all the diverse vehicles going for the over-all and can't wait to see RG give them Hell!!!

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Permalink Reply by Speed Freak 7 on December 13, 2012 at 9:21pm

Here is a cool article I thought worth sharing, it has nothing to do with RG or SP but dam I think these guys are winners before they even take the start.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121213/CARNEWS/121219945

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Permalink Reply by SlyFoxx on December 14, 2012 at 12:05am

A great story to be sure. I can remember Top Gear UK doing a feature on the effort a while back as they attempted a short rally somewhere in the UK. They even brought 'ol "sacked Stig"_ aka Ben Collins in to help coach the team to better speed.

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Permalink Reply by mj on December 13, 2012 at 9:32pm

The Traxxas Hummer is supposed to be out already . Yeah I think their logo may be on the roof too .
http://www.bigsquidrc.com/robbie-gordons-speed-energy-dakar-rally-t...

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Permalink Reply by David Clay on December 13, 2012 at 11:24pm

I still don't know why they didn't put the hummer front end in it. The front looks like a Dodge Dakota.... Grrrrruff. I'll buy it when it's all hummer.

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Permalink Reply by Big Daddy P on December 14, 2012 at 7:37am

I believe that his front end allows for a much better angle of attack and clearance.

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Permalink Reply by David Clay on December 14, 2012 at 10:48am

Oh sorry, I was talking about his traxxis hummer. The whole thing is perfect, even has the back air foil... However they then decided to put the from good of a 2007 Dodge Dakota on it. I would have looked a million times better with the flat front grill and round head lights.