Dakar 2014

[pearcey]

No worries mate
I try and keep check of whats going on as we get live timing, mind you it can sometimes be difficult to follow when the field gets really strung out and some guys dont clock in until the morning. This mostly happens in the long sand dune stages. Stage 5 is just such a stage

[pearcey]

Stage 5 sand and more sand.
What a stage Nobody could find the first waypoint then there were people lost and bogged sand and more sand FANTASTIC
All Ajussies who started this stage have completed it
Any body who saw SBS`s report on Aussie MARK DAVIDSON will realize this is no a race for pussies.
It took Mark 27 hours to complete stage 3 and had a turn around time of approximately 2 hours to start stage 4 which he did but withdrew during the stage. Big Bxxxs there Mark.
! of the truck drivers is 72 years old and is still half way up the truck leader board,I bet he doesn`t change too many flats
Not half way yet so there will still be plenty of drama to come

[pearcey]

Stage 6
Our 3 bike riders are all still there and look like they are comfortable and are not having too many troubles.
Both boys in the car section have retired during stage 6, no reasons given as yet
Our lad in the trucks is still in there and looks like they should be there at the finish.
Tomorrow is a rest day and i bet god got thanked a lot for that

[pearcey]

Rest day over an it`s back into it
A great stage with some very fast sections combined with high altitude and some serious mud had the boys full abstention.
Our 3 guys left in the bikes all completed the stage in good condition, and our only truck competitor in the truck seemed to be hold his own.
The high altitude gave some people problems with lack of oxygen not only for the humans but also engines.
There may be some quite large time differences but there is still along way to go and thing can change in the blink of an eye

[pearcey]

Stage 8
A fast and uncomplicated stage of around 500Ks
All Aussies finished the stage with only small losses of time, but what is doing the damage to some guys is time penalties,an hour here and an hour there really puts you behind the 8 ball.
As we get closer to the sea we get more sand. the dunes give the 2 wheel drive buggies a bit of an advantage as there lighter and faster.
With the bikes its a matter of good navigation an dont get bogged
The trucks have to take care so as not to roll as it can take a lot of time to get them upright again
Still a long way to go so every body has to be on their toes still, as its not done and dusted yet

[pearcey]

Stage 9
A fast an sometimes complicated stage of some 500ks with some secret way points to find which can lose you time.
Small time losses for all the Aussies but all are still there fighting
Carlos Sainzes who would have been a favorite to win the stage in the car section and move up the GC broke a suspension component returned to the Bivouac repaired it and finished the stage but is now only there to finish the rally.
With 19 minutes taken out of the leading truck this could go down to the wire with some spectacular driving especially in the remaining dune sections.

[MudRunnerTD]

Great reporting Pearcey, thanks for the updates. A client told me yesterday that there had been a big accident in the Dakar and a number of competitors have been Killed? Can you confirm this and fill us in please mate.

[BigRAWesty]

Great reporting Pearcey, thanks for the updates. A client told me yesterday that there had been a big accident in the Dakar and a number of competitors have been Killed? Can you confirm this and fill us in please mate.

Yea top briefing mate. I've finally remembered to set the reminder for the 530 run down..

Might hear about the crash also. Tis a tough comp..

[pearcey]

Great reporting Pearcey, thanks for the updates. A client told me yesterday that there had been a big accident in the Dakar and a number of competitors have been Killed? Can you confirm this and fill us in please mate.

Yes mate there was a death on stage 5
50year old Eric Palanta a Belgian ride who was competing in his11th Dakar was found dead by the broom truck(this truck sweeps the stage after completion to pick up any broken down vehicles and transport competitors buck to the Bivouac) It is not know how Eric died until an autopsy is done. The stage was a long stage but Eric had only done a short distance but temps were very high in the 40s.Condolences to all of Eric`s family and friends.

[Ben-e-boy]

Here is a small video of Robbie Gordon in his Hummer,


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAwp...e_gdata_player