Jan 14th, 2013 Dakar Rally Stage 9 Race Info & Discussion

Join in and discuss all the action from Stage 9 of the 2013 Dakar Rally. Robby Gordon recorded his 4th straight 3rd place finish in Stage 8, but remains 23rd overall. Gordon is still down over 5 hours in the overall, but will get yet another good starting spot in an attempt to win his first stage of the rally. The cars are slated to begin the special section of stage 9 at 8:03am/et and Robby Gordon will begin his special section around 8:09am/et. Raceday chat will be available throughout the entire 2013 Dakar Rally.

2013 Photos

STAGE 9 TRACKING

STAGE 9: SAN MIGUEL DE TUCAMAN > CORDOBA

Connection 259km | Special Stage 593km | Total 852km

COURSE OVERVIEW

Trucks will have pride of place when the rally resumes, only competing in one of the two parts of the special stage, but they will have the rare privilege of setting off first. The stage’s profile with quick tracks will be favourable to specialists of torturous routes. In the other categories, as the distance has been doubled it will also allow for an additional, much more technical section, where, in particular, the drivers will negotiate the bends in the forest. They will have to watch out for trees, given that the rapid assistance trucks won’t have access to the route. The competitors will have to be extremely vigilant over the entire distance, which is, for all except for the bikers, the rally’s longest special stage.

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Permalink Reply by mark roye on January 14, 2013 at 11:36pm

I suppose you're right---those of us that have spent any time and treasure racing understand the challenges and sacrifices required, and have learned that to respect most of those that we drive in deep right next to. It's just disconcerting seeing so many evidencing such little respect for the competitors who bring us this sport.

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Permalink Reply by shorty on January 14, 2013 at 10:04pm

ok boys, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and interpretation of things, lets face it without all of these great drivers making a rukus at Dakar last year, alot of people would not be following it. I know a few people who got into Dakar this year because of my stickers and tell them what it is all about. It is pretty much like WWE. in this corner and that corner.

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Permalink Reply by patricio garcia on January 14, 2013 at 9:45pm

his buggy and the SMG buggy are all based on RG's Hummer design. See where the engine sits, which way the transmission is located, the front suspension layout. David Jefferies did all the work for Nasser.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 14, 2013 at 9:53pm

not really.The SMG and Buggly are mid engine (engine in the middle of the wheel base) HUMMER is rear mounted. What is based on the HUMMER's is Toyo Tires,Air in/deflation hubs,Albin's transmissions,Chevrolet LS power.The SMG and Buggly are 1 1/2 dia tubing FIA buggly's. HUMMER is 1 3/4dia tubing SCORE legal.
HUMMER runs one shock per wheel,SMG and Buggly ,2 per wheel. But hey they all have four wheels ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 15, 2013 at 12:03am

http://www.team-smg.fr/photos/20121108163619_gp1934398.html

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Permalink Reply by mark roye on January 15, 2013 at 12:48am

Very nice detail photos. While the smaller diameter tubing looks a bit vulnerable, it may be offset by the lighter overall weight. I like the placement of the radiator---much less vulnerable. The mid engine should give it a bit better handling on firm surfaces, but the rear engine of the Hummer may prove better on softer surfaces as more mass is shifted aft. But that very thing--more mass farther aft---may make it a little more "assy" in the tighter, twistier, WRC type stages. I think perhaps the shorter wheelbase of the SMG, while good in the soft stuff, may make it a little "twitchy" on the really fast firm surfaces. All design is a compromise, but the two lines of thought are very similar. It will be interesting to see the evolution. Something a little smaller than the Hummer, mid-engined, but with spares mounted aft, and a little bit longer wheel-base than the SMG-----now if I could only win the Power Ball----

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Permalink Reply by Ray Therat on January 15, 2013 at 11:26am

No. Both Nasser and Petergretel brought the bad vibes on themselves. Nasser's poor performance as a teammate and his derogatory comments about RG and the Hummer put him in a position to receive nastygrams from RG fans. Petergretel's comment calling RG "a born cheater" is trash talk, but it goes a little too far.

So far, RG's interviews have be remarkably restrained. After Stage 8, his comment, "I love Nasser. I wished him a safe flight home...after day 3" was a masterpiece of dry wit. His other comment about regret for having taught Nasser "all the tricks" was more to the point. The Qatari prick prince got a massive dose of knowledge and experience about that type of vehicle and drivetrain...and then turned around and used it to his advantage by exploiting the FIA/SCORE rules (can ya say, "stacking the deck?") to get a lighter yet more powerful setup built for him. Yeah, it's wonna them "that's racing" things, but it doesn't do much to earn respect for me.

Btw, Nasser didn't build the Buggly. His princely riches allowed him to have it built for him.

I have kids and grandkids. I taught my kids to play fair, but not to keep turning the other cheek in the face of "dirty pool." My grandkids are being taught the same thing. I'm very proud of all of 'em.