Anybody else watching the Dakar?

[Mr. Pockets]

The 2004 Dakar Rally started on January 1st and will run until the 18th. Today's leg is the sixth competitive stage. Colin McRae is driving for Nissan and is sixth overall - how cool is that?

If I ever win the lottery, you just watch out. I'll build up an SVX Raid car and drive it in the Dakar. WOOHOO! I'll have my own support truck carrying wheel bearings and trannies the whole way!

[nubs]

I was watching a little bit of it the other night and found it a little boaring. I will give it another look.

[Mr. Pockets]

The first three days are in France and Spain and the special stages are very short, separated by really long road sections.

After the third day they're in Africa and the special stages are at least as long as the liaison sections.

One of the truck teams in yesterday's stage was really on a roll. The trucks run after the cars, but this one was charging through the dunes, passing the cars left and right. Awesome to watch.

[seasvx]

Originally posted by Mr. Pockets
I'll have my own support truck carrying wheel bearings and trannies the whole way!

.. i can see your team at the end of every stage: change the tranny & check the oil!

[oab_au]

Originally posted by Mr. Pockets
The first three days are in France and Spain and the special stages are very short, separated by really long road sections.

After the third day they're in Africa and the special stages are at least as long as the liaison sections.

One of the truck teams in yesterday's stage was really on a roll. The trucks run after the cars, but this one was charging through the dunes, passing the cars left and right. Awesome to watch.

Yes an endurance run for supermen. An Australian up in the running on a KTM. Those bike riders really do it hard.

There should be a twin turbo 3 lt Forester in there.

Harvey.

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally posted by oab_au


Yes an endurance run for supermen. An Australian up in the running on a KTM.

They talked about his story a little bit either yesterday or the day before. Andy Caldecott, was it? I'll be mightily disappointed if he doesn't finish.

Man, I'm going to solicit my town for money to run in the Dakar...

heh

my favorite class of vehicles are the MASSIVE trucks. those things are just way too cool..

i'd love to run an svx in the dakar but i don't think it's quite got the clearance. it'd be pretty wild to jack one up and put a real 4x4 tranny in it..

anyone?? subafreak?

-adam

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally posted by alacrity024
i'd love to run an svx in the dakar but i don't think it's quite got the clearance. it'd be pretty wild to jack one up and put a real 4x4 tranny in it..

Doesn't have the clearance?

Doesn't have the clearance????

http://www.iespana.es/vivndum/959.jpg

The nine-five-nine didn't exactly start out with a lot of clearance, either!

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally posted by nubs
I was watching a little bit of it the other night and found it a little boaring. I will give it another look.

Mike, might I recommend today's running for that second chance? The special stage is over 450 miles!!! I would be surprised if Richard Sainct hasn't looked that monster stage in the face and decided not to continue. If he does, he'll be a superman in my book - whether he completes the stage, the event, or none of it.

Originally posted by Mr. Pockets


Doesn't have the clearance?

Doesn't have the clearance????

http://www.iespana.es/vivndum/959.jpg

The nine-five-nine didn't exactly start out with a lot of clearance, either!

YES!!! OMG AWESOME!! SWEET!! RAD!!! DUDE!! BOSSA NOVA!! ACAPELLA!!!

(watched "teenage mutant ninja turtles II: the secret of the ooze" last night)

-adam

that is freaking cool.

[Mr. Pockets]

Richard Sainct won today's monster stage.

Kee-ripes...

...and just a couple hours ago I said I wouldn't blame him if he dropped out. To fill in those of you who aren't following the event, Sainct had a massive accident and was thrown from his motorcycle at about 65mph on day 4, the first day inside Africa. He had eight stitches put in his left forearm and since then he's clearly been in a lot of pain.

[oab_au]

You got to admire the little Jap for trying, but he just did not have the strength to carry the bike up the sand dunes

Andy is still in the running with another good day. The sound of those 900cc KTMs, the torque curve is so wide, they just don't change gears.

Can't believe that the BMW team, would set that diesel car up, so that it would suck up a engine full of water in a creek crossing.

Another great stage tomorrow 600 mile of torture.

Harvey.

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally posted by oab_au
You got to admire the little Jap for trying, but he just did not have the strength to carry the bike up the sand dunes

I haven't watched today's stage yet, so maybe I'll understand better after I see it. But surely you're not calling Sainct a 'Jap?'

Originally posted by oab_au
Andy is still in the running with another good day. The sound of those 900cc KTMs, the torque curve is so wide, they just don't change gears.

The sound is awesome, and the commentator will never let me forget it. Every friggin' time we see one, he's gotta talk about the sound. Hey, man, why don't you shut up and let us listen to it for a change?

Originally posted by oab_au
Can't believe that the BMW team, would set that diesel car up, so that it would suck up a engine full of water in a creek crossing.

Again, something that must've happened today. As of the end of yesterday's stage both BMWs were still running, I think. Jutta's VW hydro-locked, though. And Vatenen's Nissan seemed to suck a little in, but it looks like he got himself moving again after a few hours of tinkering.

Originally posted by oab_au
Another great stage tomorrow 600 mile of torture.

Harvey.

Indeed. What a race!

[oab_au]

Originally posted by Mr. Pockets


Indeed. What a race!

Yes were a day ahead, sorry to spoil it for you, I'll wait till you see it.

Harvey.

[nubs]

Originally posted by Mr. Pockets


Mike, might I recommend today's running for that second chance? The special stage is over 450 miles!!! I would be surprised if Richard Sainct hasn't looked that monster stage in the face and decided not to continue. If he does, he'll be a superman in my book - whether he completes the stage, the event, or none of it.

Nick, I watched today's coverage. Definetly much better.It is very hard to put a whole day of racing in just a 1/2 hour of air time.