Jan 8th, 2015 Dakar Rally Stage 5 Race Info & Discussion

Join in and discuss all the action from Stage 5 of the 2015 Dakar Rally. Robby Gordon had a disappointing 47th place finish in stage 4. The special section of Stage 5 is 458km long. Robby Gordon start time: 10:49am/et, and he will be the 18th car off the line. Gordon sits 39th in the overall standings, 5h47m behind. Raceday chat will be available throughout the entire 2015 Dakar Rally.

2015 Stage 4 Photos

STAGE 5 TRACKING

STAGE 5: COPIAPO > ANTOFAGASTA

Connection 239km | Special Stage 458km | Total 697km

COURSE OVERVIEW

This is the first of the rare special stages in which all categories will compete. At the start of the race, the most confident drivers will be able to take advantage of the fast tracks to try to move up in the overall standings. But the temptation to do so may be risky, particularly in the hard-to-handle fesh-fesh areas where absolute self-control is the only guarantee of success. Overtaking here requires precision handling to the extreme.

The GREEN section of the route is the connection , the RED is the Special Section of the stage.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 8, 2015 at 10:50am

some clutchs use a flexplate just basically for the starter ring

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Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 8, 2015 at 11:06am

That would be a little less drastic, and make more sense.

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Permalink Reply by mark roye on January 8, 2015 at 1:28pm

Mike is right---this is to cut down on the weight of a conventional flywheel to reduce what engineers call the 'moment of inertia" of the spinning mass, and allow the engine to rev up---and down--with less momentum retarding it. Generally a special light weight flywheel, some times called a "button flywheel" is bolted in the center of the flex plate to provide the mating surface for the clutch plated. The entire assembly weighs far less than a heavy flywheel with ring gear.

It was this outer flex plate that was able to be removed in the field, leaving the inner small flywheel.

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Permalink Reply by Baja DQ on January 8, 2015 at 10:51am

Johnny refers to it as flexplate, but RG?

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Permalink Reply by Baja DQ on January 8, 2015 at 10:55am

It could be a manual trans with a torque convertor....

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 8, 2015 at 10:47am

yes, but I don't see that as necessary

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Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 8, 2015 at 10:50am

Fingers crossed because it scares me.

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Permalink Reply by GTX - HEMI on January 8, 2015 at 10:54am

TOG & Mike.......thanks for the updates.......2015 not what we all thought would happen......for all who post here I have to say I am proud to call myself an American.....and to have the only real qualified person to try to win for the USA.....only in America can a person follow their dream........GOD SPEED Robby.....

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Permalink Reply by Baja DQ on January 8, 2015 at 10:57am

AMEN GTX!!

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Permalink Reply by mj on January 8, 2015 at 10:59am

Praise the lord and pass the ammunition lol

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Permalink Reply by FayK on January 8, 2015 at 4:02pm

Amen! Im proud to call myself a Robby Gordon fan! Someone who doesn't know the words quit or give up! Yes, I'm disappointed he can't win this year, but I'm sure it doesn't compare to his disappointment. I love him for his drive and determination! Go Robby!!