BJ Baldwin to Drive H3 at Central European Rally.

[Kartman]

Desert racing Champion BJ Baldwin of Las Vegas, NV has been signed to race the Robby Gordon Motorsports Hummer H3 at the upcoming Central European Rally put on by the ASO.

The race takes place April 20-26. The 7 stages start in Budapest, Hungary and continue to Romania and then turns around to finish in Balatonfured, Hungary covering 3061 Kilometers.

We asked BJ how feels his desert experience will translate into driving a rally?

"Well desert racing and rally are quite different. There will be no 4 foot bumps, no boulders to dodge, and fewer big jumps. From what I know about driving a rally it's all about going deep into the corners and carrying as much speed out of them as possible. The Hummer I'm driving only makes 340 horsepower but it stops and turns better than anything I have ever driven. I am very excited to participate in this event and I am looking forward to competing against some of the best off-road drivers in the world. Robby Gordon is a great guy and a very talented driver. I can learn a lot from him and that is exactly what I intend to do."

BJ Baldwin is a regular driver in the SCORE and BITD desert racing series and was the 2006 SCORE Trophy Truck Champion. He is also the current Trophy Truck points leader in the SCORE series.

source: Durka Durka.net Digital Media

[Big Hock]

I'm psyched to see how he does, but 340HP sounds like sandbagging to me!:eek:

[Marty]

I'm glad to hear that BJ is driving the other H3 instead of Runn !!! :D

[spalind]

I'm glad to hear that BJ is driving the other H3 instead of Runn !!! :D

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the "Vanguard" Hummer with BJ at the helm outruns RG's "Monster" Hummer...Wouldn't THAT be ironic...

[Chase 2]

BJ has major driving skills.

[Marty]

BJ has major driving skills.

BJ is definitely has way more talent than Runn !!!

[randy s]

good choice. good luck to both of them. are there more americans entered in this thing? i have'nt heard all that much about it.

[Hog Wild]

are there more americans entered in this thing?Jonah Street on bike.

[partybarge_pilot]

Jonah Street on bike.


Are all the rules the same? I.E. the fuel range requirements?

[bcampbell04]

known about this for quite a while now. wish BJ the best of luck with this new adventure.

[dsrtdck]

ya me to brandon. ron can still show up race day and drive, which will put bj in one of the support trucks. that would be cool to see him drive a big heavy truck..


known about this for quite a while now. wish BJ the best of luck with this new adventure.

[NIKAL]

If for a fact that Ronn does not show and BJ does end up driving, does anyone know who will navigate for BJ? Its my understanding that Ronn's Navigator was Ronn's guy and not someone RG brought to the team. Who ever they get I hope it's someone with Dakar knowledge as this will be BJ's first Rally event and it would be good for him to have someone with experience to help him and remind him that this is a 7 day event and how to pace yourself.

I remember hearing/reading RG saying that one of the things he learned his first year with VW was knowing how far to push it, and to know that its a long race and you cant run 100% for 10 days. The cars will not handle it.

[redbaronrace]

bj will have alot of growing up todo. he went from punk kid with a million dollar budget to the score champ and now this hope he does well , dont know how well he`ll do as a TEAM player but hes not affraid to step on the LOUD pedal either............ as for a navigator , i know from personal experiance he doesnt like any one telling him what todo or how to drive . any who good luck bj .

[Mike @ pit b]

I'm psyched to see how he does, but 340HP sounds like sandbagging to me!:eek:

Per FIA rules the Robby's Hummers have to have restrictor plates. The new issue of Dirt Sports has more details.

[Roscoes Rescue Rangers]

Good for BJ and Robby Teaming up for the Dakar, Runn couldnt carry either one of their joxs anyway!

[Hog Wild]

Are all the rules the same? I.E. the fuel range requirements?I'm not sure about this rally, but for Dakar the bikes have a shorter mileage requirement, I think 250km (155mi). A few years ago it was 350km, but I think it was reduced to keep the bikes lighter for safety reasons.

[HDRA1]

ya me to brandon. ron can still show up race day and drive, which will put bj in one of the support trucks. that would be cool to see him drive a big heavy truck..

we hinted on this over a month ago lee i am happy for BJ he has come a long way in a short amount of time

[Yumaoffroad]

So how many hummers are they racing? did ron bailey keep his car?>?:

[spalind]

So how many hummers are they racing? did ron bailey keep his car?>?:

Two Hummers racing...not sure if it was ever really "his" to begin with...he was going to drive it due to the $ he put up for sponsorship of the vehicle and teams and such...but now that he has backed out...ownership of the truck still lies with RG and Ronn is still under contract to drive the 2nd Hummer but doesn't want to...thats part of what the dispute is about...

[banshechick22]

Woo hoo!!! I was waiting for this to come out so I could say CONGRATS!!!! Good luck! We will be rooting for you to win :D

[GlamisGurlie]

My two future ex-husband's on one team - how can life get much better than that HAHA! GO SHOW EM HOW IT'S DONE HOMER!!!

[dfmcse]

Per FIA rules the Robby's Hummers have to have restrictor plates. The new issue of Dirt Sports has more details.

Here's the link.

http://www.dirtsportsmag.com/dirtsports/Masterpiece+In+Metal/Million-Dollar-Monster/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/506890

[Chase 2]

All of the v-8s run the same size restrictor plate including former rally champion and Dakar winner JLS.

[michael_loomis]

Looks like they need to update the spec sheet on the hummer. The front suspension on the spec sheet is listed as Jimco with Fox Shocks, but the pic shows otherwise.

[BGRANT]

Will this be televised on VS?

[partybarge_pilot]

Looks like they need to update the spec sheet on the hummer. The front suspension on the spec sheet is listed as Jimco with Fox Shocks, but the pic shows otherwise.


Duuuude, it's 200 feet long!:eek:

[redbaronrace]

My two future ex-husband's on one team - how can life get much better than that HAHA! GO SHOW EM HOW IT'S DONE HOMER!!!

jaime i hop eyur just kidding , never met u but i hope u have higher standards and would want more of a man that either one of them . i could imagine one of them on the side of the freeway w a flat and they would call AAA instead of fixin it them selfs. now as for race drivers ther tops.

[JRod]

jaime i hop eyur just kidding , never met u but i hope u have higher standards and would want more of a man that either one of them . i could imagine one of them on the side of the freeway w a flat and they would call AAA instead of fixin it them selfs. now as for race drivers ther tops.

I have never been around BJ, but based on your statements, I know for a fact you have never been around RG- That guy can wrench, and does wrench on his cars- And a lot of the technological advances you see on his stuff have come from him and his dad's first hand, down/dirty experience... That may be one of the things that makes RG hard to work for- He works hard and gets his hands dirty and expects nothing less from people working for him.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

RG said he hopes BJ beats him... Because if he does, then he knows a RGM car did better than him. He was serious and very sincere when he told me that.

[spalind]

RG said he hopes BJ beats him... Because if he does, then he knows a RGM car did better than him. He was serious and very sincere when he told me that.

I have no doubt about that...RG has showed in the past he has no problem sacrificing his own glory for the good of the team--VW Dakar team a few years ago--it might kill him inside to not be running all out but if BJ has a shot at the win I wouldn't be at all surprised to see RG play "water carrier" for the Vanguard Hummer...

[bajafox]

jaime i hop eyur just kidding , never met u but i hope u have higher standards and would want more of a man that either one of them . i could imagine one of them on the side of the freeway w a flat and they would call AAA instead of fixin it them selfs. now as for race drivers ther tops.

Hope you were being sarcastic, but as far as RG goes...he doesn't seem to mind being the guy to tell his TT (Andy driving at the time) where to stop...

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o223/calleb325/DSC02116.jpg


From the looks of that picture, you might be right...he doesn't like to get dirty

[Chase 2]

So who is going to be in the right seat for BJ????

[bobbychuck]

So who is going to be in the right seat for BJ????

http://www.kevinsmidlifecrisis.com/

[RacingOne]

Robby Gordon and Central Europe Rally on DIRECTV’s The 101

Charlotte, NC - Team Dakar USA is excited to announce that they have obtained the United States broadcast rights for the Central Dakar Rally. DIRECTV will air a half-hour daily show air on channel 101, which is an in-house channel available throughout the United States on its satellite service. The show debuts on April 19th and will conclude on the 26th. It will feature 13 minutes of overall rally coverage and nine minutes of coverage dedicated to the American efforts of Team Dakar USA. The program will be aired twice daily – first at 7:00 pm EST and re-broadcast at 12:30 am EST.

When terrorist threats resulted in the cancellation of the 2008 Dakar Rally, the Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO) moved quickly to schedule the Central Europe Rally as a replacement event for all the teams, fans and sponsors of the legendary Dakar Rally. The Central Europe Rally was already in the works as part of the Dakar Series, which was set to debut in 2009.

Beginning in Budapest, Hungary, the Rally will cover 2,972 kilometers, approximately 1,846 miles, during the seven day and is promised to be an extremely varied and technical route. The rally will head to Romania and then conclude at Balaton Lake in Hungary.

Robby Gordon is no stranger to logistical challenges, but the Central Europe Rally may prove to be the greatest challenge yet. Gordon, who has pulled extreme duty running between NASCAR, Baja and Indy races, will depart for Paris following the NASCAR Sprint Cup race this Saturday in Phoenix. In Paris, he will meet up with the members of Team Dakar USA program and drive the race and support vehicles over 1300km to Budapest for the start of the race. Following the seven day race that concludes on the 26th of April, Gordon will fly back to the United States to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Talladega on April 27th.

“Timing is everything with this event. First, I’m very grateful to the ASO for coming up with a solution for all the fans and sponsors. The schedule that they selected has made it possible for us to compete. I also have to thank Chris Long at DIRECTV for helping televise this event. He and The 101 team have mobilized quickly, and I think motorsports fans everywhere will have something to get excited about,” said Gordon.

Team Dakar USA has entered two identically prepared purpose built race Hummers in the Central Europe Rally. In the 2007 Dakar Rally, Gordon in his same Monster Energy/Toyo Tires Hummer H3 finished first in the open class, eighth overall and scored a stage win. It was Gordon’s third stage win in three years and allowed Hummer to become the first American manufacturer to win a Dakar Rally stage.

Additional rally coverage can also be found on robbygordon.com and robbysuprising.com where Team Dakar USA will have daily updates, the twitter micro blog feed, and videos.




Central Europe Rally Stages and TV Schedule

Date Stage Start Finish TV 1st Air 2nd Air

4/19 Scrutineering Budapest DIRECTV ch101
4 p.m. pst

7 p.m. EST
9:30 p.m. pst

12:30 a.m. EST

4/20
1
Budapest
Baia Mare
DIRECTV ch101
4 p.m. pst

7 p.m. EST
9:30 p.m. pst

12:30 a.m. EST

4/21
2
Baia Mare
Sovata
DIRECTV ch101
4 p.m. pst

7 p.m. EST
9:30 p.m. pst

12:30 a.m. EST

4/22
3
Sovata
Sovata
DIRECTV ch101
4 p.m. pst

7 p.m. EST
9:30 p.m. pst

12:30 a.m. EST

4/23
4
Sovata
Debrecen
DIRECTV ch101
4 p.m. pst

7 p.m. EST
9:30 p.m. pst

12:30 a.m. EST

4/24
5
Debrecen
Veszpem
DIRECTV ch101
4 p.m. pst

7 p.m. EST
9:30 p.m. pst

12:30 a.m. EST

4/25
6
Veszpem
Veszpem
DIRECTV ch101
4 p.m. pst

7 p.m. EST
9:30 p.m. pst

12:30 a.m. EST

4/26
7
Veszpem
Balatonfüred
DIRECTV ch101
4 p.m. pst

7 p.m. EST
9:30 p.m. pst

12:30 a.m. EST

4/27
NASCAR
Talladega
Talladega
FOX
1:30 p.m. EST

[spalind]

Crap!!

[Hog Wild]

It was Gordon’s third stage win in three years and allowed Hummer to become the first American manufacturer to win a Dakar Rally stage.While the first part seems correct, the second part needs at least a few qualifying words to be true.

[Bricoop]

Sweet I'm STOKED! Looks like Ronn and Monster will be getting their money's worth.

[goRGgo]

Riding co-dawg with BJ is going to be a helluva lot different that riding with Ronn. I hope he is up to it, especially, if BJ has to take the lead for RG's team.

[goofballracer]

Did Anyone See The Robbys Dakar H3 In The New Dirt Sports That Think Is Sick Knar!

[banshechick22]

jaime i hop eyur just kidding , never met u but i hope u have higher standards and would want more of a man that either one of them . i could imagine one of them on the side of the freeway w a flat and they would call AAA instead of fixin it them selfs. now as for race drivers ther tops.

I don't know RG, but I do know that BJ will work on his own truck if necessary.

This pic is of him trying to unrust the lightbar on the prerunner in San Felipe after the race last year so we could get back to the hotel. Enjoy!

[dfmcse]

jaime i hop eyur just kidding , never met u but i hope u have higher standards and would want more of a man that either one of them . i could imagine one of them on the side of the freeway w a flat and they would call AAA instead of fixin it them selfs. now as for race drivers ther tops.

I believe RG is replacing the steering on Jutta Klienschmidt's Touareg. After pulling it from his Touareg. I didn't see a AAA service truck in any of the photos.

http://www.robbygordon.com/Imagefolio31_file/gallery/03_OFF-ROAD/05_RALLY_RACING/DAKAR_2005/Robby%27s_Photos/RG_Photos_2005_Dakar_367.jpg

[dfmcse]

Crap!!

yeah. . . exactly. Great news for Team Dakar USA and those of you with with DirectTV.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

I believe RG is replacing the steering on Jutta Klienschmidt's Touareg. After pulling it from his Touareg. I didn't see a AAA service truck in any of the photos.

http://www.robbygordon.com/Imagefolio31_file/gallery/03_OFF-ROAD/05_RALLY_RACING/DAKAR_2005/Robby%27s_Photos/RG_Photos_2005_Dakar_367.jpg

Yeah and he was leading the stage at that time too...

[redbaronrace]

I have never been around BJ, but based on your statements, I know for a fact you have never been around RG- That guy can wrench, and does wrench on his cars- And a lot of the technological advances you see on his stuff have come from him and his dad's first hand, down/dirty experience... That may be one of the things that makes RG hard to work for- He works hard and gets his hands dirty and expects nothing less from people working for him.

hey j rod yur right , rg is a freakin mechanic

[Combo]

hey j rod yur right , rg is a freakin mechanic

It's Automotive Technician!!:D

[JRod]

"innovator" works too- lol! after all, that riviera truck was originally built by him and it's still running strong!

[GlamisGurlie]

I have a few adjectives of my own for those two young men, but I can't disclose them here on this family forum ;)

[Kartman]

I have a few adjectives of my own for those two young men, but I can't disclose them here on this family forum ;)

gross

[buggyracer1677]

I ve raced with Bj and he will work on his own stuff if he needs to and hes 1 of the most talented drivers I raced with I have no doubt hell be a team player just cause hes got money doesnt make him a bad guy, I am glad to consider him a friend.

[Big Hock]

yeah. . . exactly. Great news for Team Dakar USA and those of you with with DirectTV.

:D :D :D I'm happy. I'll be tuned to channel 101 for a week!:p :p :p

[dfmcse]

:D :D :D I'm happy. I'll be tuned to channel 101 for a week!:p :p :p

Good for you Big Hock. Us poor cable customers would love for you to post a synopsis of each broadcast at the end of the day. :D

[GlamisGurlie]

gross

No, I would like to call it flattering :D

[trent06]

My curiosity is after this is all said and done and if BJ does in fact drive the second hummer for RG, does anyone think he will have different tires (Toyo) on his TT at the Baja 500? Also not sure if BJ and Bobby use the same prep-shop but I noticed McBeath ran Toyo's on his truck at Laughlin and back to BFG at Parker?

[Chase 2]

Bobby & BJ have their own prep shop now.

[redbaronrace]

I ve raced with Bj and he will work on his own stuff if he needs to and hes 1 of the most talented drivers I raced with I have no doubt hell be a team player just cause hes got money doesnt make him a bad guy, I am glad to consider him a friend.

jay , yur not serious...... it has nothing todo with $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[redbaronrace]

so far so good for bj , definatly a changed man . thumbs up!