Thursday - Misubishi testing Pictures plus some other randon stuff

[klaus]

Today I went to "Veszprem" where lots of teams do their last minute testing or shakedowns. That area will also be one of the last stages. The testing took place on a former Soviet (?) military base.

RGM tested yesterday, Mitsubishi today and Volkswagen tomorrow.

The area hands down benefits a vehicle like Robby's H3. I talked to one local and he assured me that the Hummer was much faster yesterday. So all your RGM fans have something to look forward to. At least one of the stages is WOT for the H3 and not so wide open for the rest of the field.

[Ferrari333SP]

I can't wait for Saturday!!

[klaus]

This is what the Veszprem area looks like.

[Marty]

Looks like Robby's kind of terrain for the Hummer !!

[Chris Tobin]

Today I went to "Veszprem" where lots of teams do their last minute testing or shakedowns. That area will also be one of the last stages. The testing took place on a former Soviet (?) military base.

RGM tested yesterday, Mitsubishi today and Volkswagen tomorrow.

The area hands down benefits a vehicle like Robby's H3. I talked to one local and he assured me that the Hummer was much faster yesterday. So all your RGM fans have something to look forward to. At least one of the stages is WOT for the H3 and not so wide open for the rest of the field.

Aweesome, maybe a Hummer 1-2 isn't all that out of the question, unless the euro's are sandbagging.

Hopefully TDUSA has a few stage wins and at least one spot on the podium when it is all said and done!:D

[RGFan]

I am just hoping for steady improvement. I could be wrong, I know everybody around this time gets Robbyitis but I think an overall is still a year or two off. A top 7 would be cool,a top 5 would be great and truly classify him as a player at the International Off Road Table, atleast in the media's eyes, they still treat him as respectable, but more of a novelty over there. It is still Mitsu and VW at the forefront in their eyes....Anything in the top 3 is icing on the cake.

[spalind]

What about Schlesser?? If the terrain suits the H3 one would think it suits Schlesser as well...If that is actually the case then I would expect Schlesser to be up in the top 5 as well....

[NIKAL]

Thanks Klaus for the updates and Mitsu pics. Yes I would think that what suits the Hummers would also suit the Schlesser "Jimco" buggy and the new SPD buggy too.

[RGFan]

True, but that is when talent takes over, and while Schlesser can drive,I would pick RG any day of the week barring mechanical issues

[Will_Higman]

At least one of the stages is WOT for the H3 and not so wide open for the rest of the field.

Klaus

Here's a good question for you... Please keep your ears open to see if you hear anything about the ASO applying special rules in certain areas about short coursing and having to stay within a certain corridor on the track?

They had some rules to this effect on one of our Portugal stages last year but Africa was wide open as long as you hit your waypoints.

Please let us know if you get a chance!

:)

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Klaus

Here's a good question for you... Please keep your ears open to see if you hear anything about the ASO applying special rules in certain areas about short coursing and having to stay within a certain corridor on the track?

They had some rules to this effect on one of our Portugal stages last year but Africa was wide open as long as you hit your waypoints.

Please let us know if you get a chance!

:)

Good point because RG acorss those grassy fields WOT is what will happen...LOL

[FlyHiFlyLo]

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=35979&d=1208442500


THE MONSTER FILLING STATION!

[Mumzy]

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=35979&d=1208442500


THE MONSTER FILLING STATION!

This is what those would be......http://spxcooling.com/en/products/detail/natural-draft-cooling-tower/

New York city is the largest market in the world.....and Mrs. Mumz is the sales rep!

[michael_loomis]

wow very cool!

[RGFan]

What about Schlesser?? If the terrain suits the H3 one would think it suits Schlesser as well...If that is actually the case then I would expect Schlesser to be up in the top 5 as well....

I did not see Schlesser on the entry list for this run, is he running the Tunisian Rally? Does anybody know why RG's number has dropped to 212 from 208.....I thought the car numbers/starting position went off of the finish of the year before?


Here is the link: http://www.centraleuroperally.com/2008/CER/presentation/docs/engages_auto.pdf

[tneve22]

I did not see Schlesser on the entry list for this run, is he running the Tunisian Rally? Does anybody know why RG's number has dropped to 212 from 208.....I thought the car numbers/starting position went off of the finish of the year before?


Here is the link: http://www.centraleuroperally.com/2008/CER/presentation/docs/engages_auto.pdf

I think Robby might have picked that number, only because I could not find any car with the number 208

[Will_Higman]

Does anybody know why RG's number has dropped to 212 from 208.....I thought the car numbers/starting position went off of the finish of the year before?

The ASO uses some kind of ranking system that is based on last years result plus projections for this year. I know there is something like this in place but I am not sure the "exact" mechanics of it?

What's really surprising is that they have Ronn starting 18th and he didn't finish last year?

One other observation... Notice how the Mitsu guys have already been through scrutineering. You can tell because they already have their ASO number placards on the cars.

:)

[RGFan]

I think Robby might have picked that number, only because I could not find any car with the number 208

208 is on one of the X-Raid Beemers:confused:

[klaus]

more random stuff from tonight

[klaus]

even more...

[RGFan]

Oh man, did you guys see the Valvoline sponsorship on the MAN, That sponsor belongs in the TDUSA stable in a primary capacity

[Dezertpilot]

Klaus u are the MANN haha, gracias so much for the photos!

[randy s]

The ASO uses some kind of ranking system that is based on last years result plus projections for this year. I know there is something like this in place but I am not sure the "exact" mechanics of it?

What's really surprising is that they have Ronn starting 18th and he didn't finish last year?

One other observation... Notice how the Mitsu guys have already been through scrutineering. You can tell because they already have their ASO number placards on the cars.

:)

hey will, do the machines that had already been through the scrutineering process for the dakar before they cancelled it have to be re-inspected? perhaps the pajeros already have been checked out.

[RGFan]

hey will, do the machines that had already been through the scrutineering process for the dakar before they cancelled it have to be re-inspected? perhaps the pajeros already have been checked out.

They left the custody of the ASO since the initial scrutineering in January, so while I am no expert, I would imagine that they would have to go through again.

[geronimo5]

Deep thoughts with TT.........

[Will_Higman]

I’m no expert either and I really haven’t been studying everything this year… For sure all the cars will have to go through scrutineering. The ASO is very diligent when it comes to rules and regulations. Also please keep in mind we are talking about teams that have “huge sponsorship contracts” and bring staff attorneys to the event. It’s very similar to NASCAR in the rules department and yes they bend them for certain reasons that other teams get frustrated with. Sound familiar?

However since the race was such a bust last year my speculation is that the ASO is being very accommodating i.e. putting the race on at no charge etc… What I am getting at is that I am sure that the Mitsu team and others got to go through checks early but again I am just talking out my ***** like a typical off road racer!

Now that I type all this out and do some more thinking about what I said something doesn’t make sense… They normally impound the vehicles unless something has changed there this year?

Maybe the number placards were just show for media day?

Back to my cave until I really have something of substance to add…

:)