Mark Miller in Baja Portugal Ralley Raid

[Chase 2]

Mark Miller and Dirk Zitzewitz are competing in the Baja Anta da Serra 500 (aka Baja Portugal) this weekend with the VW Touareg. They started the day in around 10th place after yesterday's 5 minuet long stage. (In my opinion a stage that lasts only 5 min. is not racing.) They are through the first of two stages today and have already moved up to 6th as of about 5 min ago and I believe only 21 seconds behind the leader Carlos Sainz. What a great way to prep for Dakar!

[MultiScaleRacer]

For more information and updates...

Raid Racing Live.com (http://raid.racing-live.com/en/)

[Chase 2]

Thanks for the link. I was using : clubeaventura. (http://www.clubeaventura.pt/02_act/500.html) which is the "Official" site for the event. I stand corrected, it was 20 min off the pace not 20 sec.

[Will_Higman]

1 Alphand-Picard Mitsubishi Pajero 5h38'45"4
2 Kleinschmidt-Pons Volkswagen Touareg 5h43'14"3
3 Sainz-Schulz Volkswagen Touareg 5h50'43"0
4 Saby-Périn Volkswagen Touareg 5h54'17"4
5 Ramos-Jesus Toyota Rav-4 5h54'20"1
6 Miller-Zitzewitz Volkswagen Touareg 5h58'49"6


To me it looks like he is being the ultimate team player!!?? We all know Mark can drive fast and you would think he would be right up there unless he was under team orders to follow.

Maybe he had a flat or small mechanical issue??

Great job Mark!

Will Higman

[Chase 2]

To me it looks like he is being the ultimate team player!!?? We all know Mark can drive fast and you would think he would be right up there unless he was under team orders to follow.

Maybe he had a flat or small mechanical issue??

Great job Mark!

Will Higman


I'm thinking a mechanical problem of some kind as he was 16 min down early. Could be team orders, but that seems like a bit to big of a gap as there were two other teams in there. He actually made up over a min in the last section. There is another small section Sunday but I doubt anyone will catch Alphond. Louc was on tha gas as he had 5 min over Jutta in 2nd.

It's all good, this is still getting ready for Dakar.

[Will_Higman]

Press Release
Volkswagen Motorsport

N°310 - Mark Miller :
“An incredibly difficult leg. After 60 kilometres we hit a tree and damaged the door. After this incident my co-driver had to hold the door with one hand and turn the pages of the roadbook with the other. Before that, we had already lost two minutes because we had to stop to change a tyre after suffering a puncture. On the second special stage we had another puncture after a driving mistake.“

N°310 - Mark Miller :
“These were three turbulent days. For me, it was important to work together with the team in the competition and under pressure. After the many kilometres of testing, it was a perfect thing to contest a rally as well. I'm satisfied and now looking forward to the Dakar Rally.“

[Chase 2]

I got an e-mail from Mark this morning pointing me in the direction of the VW web site: volkswagen-motorsport.com (http://www.volkswagen-motorsport.com/web/start/index.php?PHPSESSID=c030072883b0e4c9895de61590d669 4d&lg=e&PHPSESSID=c030072883b0e4c9895de61590d6694d)
There's some great pics of the event on the VW site and also on the new Arciero/Miller racing site: arcieromiller.com (http://www.arcieromiller.com./)

[FlyHiFlyLo]

That's very good. Only 26 minutes to the leader after 310 miles even with the problems. First time out against some of the best. Not bad.

[Mark_Miller]

We broke a Driveshaft after the 1st 50k's so we had 2wd for the rest of the special which was a mudfest. Thats where all the time was lost. All our splits when we were running clean were in the top 3. Just FYI. I made a post and i just saw you guys talking about it so that is very cool.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

We broke a Driveshaft after the 1st 50k's so we had 2wd for the rest of the special which was a mudfest. Thats where all the time was lost. All our splits when we were running clean were in the top 3. Just FYI. I made a post and i just saw you guys talking about it so that is very cool.

10-4 keep up the good work.

BTW... I have 100 bucks with a fellow RDC brother on your performance. The VW team looks very solid. Yetserday I was told Robby would win by 4 days LOL.

What's your take on Robby's approach?

[Mark_Miller]

You should know that I consider Robby a friend, so I really really hope for his sake that he gets everything put together the way he wants it. I spoke with him yesterday when I was in London and I know he is really trying hard.

I also hope that all the DEZERT PEOPLE know DAKAR is not BAJA. His approach is exactly what he and Ryan and I discussed in Feburary at Parker. An effort to get the USA involved in Dakar. It will not be an easy thing to pull off and it will take several years to get it right like we would want it.

I will do my best and he will do his, we will work together on North America media stuff and hopefully you guys get more focussed on both of us beating the Europeans and not so much on beating each other.

Whoever told you they know who is going to win Dakar is on Crack.... Dakar is unpredictable.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

You should know that I consider Robby a friend, so I really really hope for his sake that he gets everything put together the way he wants it.
I will do my best and he will do his, we will work together on North America media stuff and hopefully you guys get more focussed on both of us beating the Europeans and not so much on beating each other.

Whoever told you they know who is going to win Dakar is on Crack.... Dakar is unpredictable.

When it's us against them. I root for us.

[TROPHYSEDAN]

Mark you know you have more support then him. Your a team player. Just dont throw your helmet at your car. best of luck.

[Will_Higman]

Mark

You are so well spoken and thank you for sharing your insights with us!

Please keep it up!

Will Higman

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Mark you know you have more support then him. Your a team player. Just dont throw your helmet at your car. best of luck.


You misread posts. Go USA!

[Chase 2]

You should know that I consider Robby a friend, so I really really hope for his sake that he gets everything put together the way he wants it. I spoke with him yesterday when I was in London and I know he is really trying hard.

We're all friends when it comes to supporting American teams at Dakar. I personally have a ton of respect for anyone who attempts to seriously compete at Dakar.


I also hope that all the DEZERT PEOPLE know DAKAR is not BAJA. His approach is exactly what he and Ryan and I discussed in February at Parker. An effort to get the USA involved in Dakar. It will not be an easy thing to pull off and it will take several years to get it right like we would want it.

We all win when that happens. This is not a jump in and throw a bunch of money at it, and hope it happens type of event.


I will do my best and he will do his, we will work together on North America media stuff and hopefully you guys get more focused on both of us beating the Europeans and not so much on beating each other.

Nothing would be better than beating the French at their own event! We are long overdue IMO. I think the last American on the podium in Dakar was Danny LaPort (on a Cagiva) finishing 2nd behind Peterhansel by less than a minuet (?). Even then, it wasn’t an American team. I think that given time with ArcireoMiller’s and RG efforts, it will happen. However, that being said, there always has to be room for side bets like the one the Fly and I have going aren’t there?


BTW... I have 100 bucks with a fellow RDC brother on your performance.

Hey Mark, I think he forgot to mention he was betting AGINST you! LOL!! That's OK, no matter, the winner is the orphanage in Valle De Trinadad as that's who gets the money.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Hey Mark, I think he forgot to mention he was betting AGINST you! LOL!! That's OK, no matter, the winner is the orphanage in Valle De Trinadad as that's who gets the money.

Yes it is a bet in favor of RG.
Yes either way some kids will get over $100.00 in toys (If I lose that is what they will get (not sending cash if that is cool with you. I will post a pic of the toys and tracking number?)


Like I said...If it's RG vs Mr. Miller I root for RG. If it's RG and Miller vs Those French I vote for Us.

[Chase 2]

The bet was for $100 to be given to Malcom for the orphanage not $100 worth of commodities. Those kids could sure put the $100 to better use than $100 worth of toys. I would very much like to keep the bet as it was made, thank you.


So let me get this straight, for $100 you'll take Rubby with a new untested team, against Mark, Dirk, and a team that even got Rubby across the line, AND you’ll give me 12 hours? I'll take that bet. Loser gives the money to Malcolm Smith for the orphanage in Valle de Trinidad.


Good thinking, That's a great cause!

Your on!

This will be fun.


Its a bet, done deal.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

The bet was for $100 to be given to Malcom for the orphanage not $100 worth of commodities. Those kids could sure put the $100 to better use than $100 worth of toys. I would very much like to keep the bet as it was made, thank you.

I couldn't see what would happen with the hundred bucks... Electric bill, laundry soap, beans, milk, gas, who knows.... But, if they get Tonkas, dolls, ... smiles for sure.


Whatever dude. Break a deal, spin the wheel. Fine with me, it would just save me the hassle of going to a good Toy store in the USA and having to ship the stuff.

You will be the one paying anyways. GarrrownTeeeed!