Dakar 2014

[pearcey]

This years Dakar looks like being the best ever
Over 5000Ks of competition from Rosario to Valparaiso covering 3 countries, with some stages of over 1000Ks long
Aussie entries are down slightly from last year with 6 bikes, 1 car, and 2 guys navigating ,1 in cars and his brother in trucks.
We have a chance of stage wins in the bikes with a couple of our guys and possibly top 10 finishes over all if they have luck on their side.
Competition starts on the 5th in Rosario and ends on the 18th in Valparaiso
Best of luck to all competitors

[pearcey]

First stage complete 809 Kms Rosarno to Sunluis and all Aussies have checked in.
In the bikes we have 3 in the top 50, Ben Grabham in 11, Shane Diener 44, and Troy O`connor 46
Cars Garry connell is in 86th
The leading car is a Chinese built Haval 4x4 possibly they may be mixed up with Great Wall as a Great Wall came in 6th last year.

[taslucas]

I always forget it's on! Only get half an hour coverage each night here. Any good websites?

[macca]

5.30pm on SBS One, I just got to remember.

[taslucas]

5.30pm on SBS One, I just got to remember.

Yeah that's the one I watch if im home in time. But it's only half hour right? It ends up less than 5 mins per class

[pearcey]

I always forget it's on! Only get half an hour coverage each night here. Any good websites?

Maaaate their web site is just DAKAR RALLY it gives all the info you need plus it`s upto date and on time

[pearcey]

Another good day for the Aussies with Grabham taking 6th on the stage and he`s now 9th overall.
All but Diener moved up the leader board. Diener dropped 8 spots
In the cars Connell moved up 3 spots
The next 2 stages will sort a few out as no competitor can get out side assistance not even form their support crews.
The competitors dont even know where the crews are camping so there is no overnight assistance either.
the stages are around 1000Ks each
Carn`t wait to see how it all pans out

[pearcey]

Stage 3 with no support hurt Ben grabham abit as he fell from 9th over all to 73, but has lined up for stage 4.
Shane Diener moved from 52 to 41 so he had a good day , all other Aussies are still running and are close to where they started apart from Garry Connell in the cars who has gone from 83 to 73.
Stage 4 is another stage with no assistance, for the bikes its 563 Ks and the cars 857 Ks
Temps in the desert have been around 42 degrees

[pearcey]

Stage 4 saw the retirement of 3 of our bike riders,Grabham who may have had a chance of a stage win,Davidson and Jacobson,bad luck guys
The other 3 are afew hours down on the leaders but you never know one may be able to grab a stage win
Our guys in the cars and trucks are holding their own
Stage 5 is a long stage with plenty of sand so getting bogged and lost will be the order of the day

[happygu]

Thanks for the updates Pearcey .... now I just got to watch it....

Mic