Dakar 2012

Dakar 2012 kicked off today, and already has claimed the life of a participant :(

SANTA ROSA, Argentina (AP) - The death of Argentine bike rider Jorge Martinez Boero on Sunday on the first day of the Dakar Rally focused attention on the hazards of one of motor sports' most dangerous events. Organizers said the 38-year-old died from head and chest injuries during a crash on the first stage.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/racing/wires/01/01/3010.ap.car.dakar.rally.1st.ld.writethru.0469/index.html#ixzz1iEZe2ZqD

Well, that sucks.

Is it on TV in the US this year?

In reply to Woody:

Half hour highlights shows daily on Versus.

Too bad about the lost rider.

Link To Dakar Info

Link To Excellent Video

Obligatory giant Dakar truck in the air.

From Here>>> http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2012/us/stage-1/special-release.html

When I read the artical for a moment I thaught that they were talking about the Helo pilot

Today at 11:19 am, Argentinean rider Jorge Boero (motorcycle no. 175) was the victim of a fall at km 55 of the special of the first stage between Mar del Plata and Santa Rosa. The rider suffered a cardiac arrest following his fall and was attended five minutes after the accident by the medical staff, who reached the place of the incident by helicopter. Despite their best efforts, the doctors were unable to resuscitate the pilot, who died while he was being taken to hospital. 38-year-old Jorge Boero was taking part in his second Dakar. In 2011, he withdrew from the rally during the sixth stage......

Dam shame what happened to the bike rider.

A guy I know from my town is competing in this:

i went down there for it last year and almost got killed myself

I was checking out one of the trucks a few days before the start as it sat on one of the side streets in Buenos Aires. While I was standing in front of it, one of the other trucks started to reverse into it. I'm 6'2" and the bottom of the bumper comes up to about my chest. I didn't even try to run to the side. I ducked down underneath the truck while the other stopped just inches away

I felt a little funny the rset of the day

I heard somewhere (and this seems to be supported by some video clips i have seen) that Dakar is quite scary for the motorcycles, as in they have the full responsibility for not getting run over. They often have to just drop the bike and jump off the side of the road when a larger vehicle comes by.

One day I like to go. I'm trying to convince my wife that getting a surplus Jeep from work and a bunch of spare tires and entering wouldn't cost that much more than just going to watch. We wouldn't win but think of the stories we'd come back with

Wally wrote: entering wouldn't cost that much more than just going to watch. We wouldn't win but think of the stories we'd come back with

But how much does it cost to enter?

I want to know more about the 4 wheeler class; I see coverage for all the other classes, but never any TV coverage about the nut-bars who ride 4 wheelers.

The three MINIs are leading (in "Cars class") today. Followed by Toyota and then Hummer.

Daily Update

CarKid1989 wrote:

Wally wrote: entering wouldn't cost that much more than just going to watch. We wouldn't win but think of the stories we'd come back with

But how much does it cost to enter?

surprisingly a lot of the "non-frontrunners" are truly grassroots

dyintorace wrote: A guy I know from my town is competing in this:

I have been following them on their blog and over on Expedition Portal.

aeronca65t wrote: The three MINIs are leading (in "Cars class") today. Followed by Toyota and then Hummer. Daily Update

Hummer- Has Robby Gordon got those things to a competitive state now? He hired a French driver who has won in the past, didn't he?

Edit: Wow. Its Robby in 5th place. I'll have no trouble cheering for him.

In reply to Streetwiseguy:

The Hummer has been competitive, Robby finished third in 09.

Evidently very few Americans competing. The guys from here are 1 of only 3 US teams (IIRC).

There was a book written by an American husband and wife team who decided to enter this with money being their only qualification.

The book was an interesting read, but a quote that has stuck in my mind was a Frenchman who declared that an American will never win the Dakar because they can not survive a month without a bath!

Here they are at the starting line. Cool photo.

Well if anyone would like to fly over and follow the Dakar next year let me know. I currently live in Santiago, Chile and have been wanting to follow the Dakar at least while they are in Chile for quite some time.

Yes I read that book good read. Can't for the life of me remember the name of it though. Anyone have the name of this book?

NOHOME wrote: There was a book written by an American husband and wife team who decided to enter this with money being their only qualification. The book was an interesting read, but a quote that has stuck in my mind was a Frenchman who declared that an American will never win the Dakar because they can not survive a month without a bath!

I think the book was "Against Gravity"link to amazon

But not sure.

So.....tell me something....

Hummers aren't being built anymore right?

How does anyone justify a Hummer race team?

Rog

emodspitfire wrote: So.....tell me something.... Hummers aren't being built anymore right? How does anyone justify a Hummer race team? Rog

I swear i heard in one of the commentary segments that they were even powered by a Toyota V8.

I've captured some good photography!