Central Europe Rally Teams - Who will win?

[racer951]

Which TEAM will win? Who will have the best average finishing position amongst its drivers?

Volkswagon (Sainz, DeVilliers, Miller, Depping, Sousa)

Mitsubishi (Peterhansel, Alphand, Roma, Masuoka)

BMW X-Raid (Al Attiyah, Saby, Chicherit)

Team Dakar USA (Gordon, Baldwin)

Independent (Schlesser, Peterson, Other)

[Ferrari333SP]

Team Dakar USA hands down.



:cool:

[CDN11]

"Independent (Schlesser, Peterson, Other)"
I don't see Schlesser entered in the event,at least I can't find him on the published entry list, I wish he was. He has two vehicles entered in the "Optic Tunisia Rally" which runs from April 24th till 2nd of May, it appears he is not driving any of the two vehicles.

[RGFan]

This topic has already been started in another thread;)

[FlyHiFlyLo]

This topic has already been started in another thread;)

Yes but the answer is the same. Robby Gordon!

[RGFan]

Yes but the answer is the same. Robby Gordon!

Wait a minute Fly, "The Stalker" has not chimed in yet:D

[CDN11]

Is there any live tracking of the event, as well I have not found an actual starting time of the Rally. Can anybody help please?

[alan4s]

Try this: http://www.raid-live.com/dakar/en/results/live/index.html

[CDN11]

Thank you, but like all other sites no start TIMES are given.

[alan4s]

Thank you, but like all other sites no start TIMES are given.

Stage 1:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee51/SpottedCow7/Start_Stage_1.jpg

[CDN11]

I missed that ,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH

Pardon me but I have looked again and still can't find the information you came up with.

It looks as if it will have to be a night shift to follow the race, 0100 west coast time

[racer951]

This topic has already been started in another thread;)

I saw the thread but most people didn't answer your question. Plus, I was curious to know which team everyone thought was best prepared for this rally.

As for Schlesser, I did not see his name on the ASO list, but did see him named in multiple press releases by the ASO in March as racing. Maybe he changed his mind? Anyone have more info on this?

[cancinoj]

cars 10:05, thats 12:05 am pacific time,. right?

[RGFan]

I saw the thread but most people didn't answer your question. Plus, I was curious to know which team everyone thought was best prepared for this rally.

As for Schlesser, I did not see his name on the ASO list, but did see him named in multiple press releases by the ASO in March as racing. Maybe he changed his mind? Anyone have more info on this?

Did not see him or any of his cars on the entry list. Saw his car on the list for the Tunisian Rally, he was not listed as the driver.

[harleys dad]

Carlos Sainz is going to clean house, there is nobody on the entry to even compare with him, including RG.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

cars 10:05, thats 12:05 am pacific time,. right?

GMT+2 is the timing over there for the rally.

[RGFan]

Carlos Sainz is going to clean house, there is nobody on the entry to even compare with him, including RG.

He is defintetly a contender......I would not count RG out though. I think the limiting factor will be 4 wheel drive.....That is just me.

[harleys dad]

Carlos Sainz is going to clean house, there is nobody on the entry to even compare with him, including RG.
It has allready begun, complete domination by Sainz

[RGFan]

It has allready begun, complete domination by Sainz

I do not think I would call a 41 second lead with a 4 wheel drive vehicle complete domination, especially whey the second place car is 2 wheel drive. ANd this was a very technical, tight, stage where the 4 wheel drive is at a distinct advantage. The whole race is not this way either.

[harleys dad]

I think you will see Sainz out class RG the hole way, he is better anyday at this kind of thing. Watch and you will see, unless he crashes, it is see ya

[bufeo]

I think you will see Sainz out class RG the hole way, ...

Was this meant for humor or just a typo? :D

Allen R

[RGFan]

Outclass, not a chance in hell. Be real about this.....He gained a 41 second lead in a 4 wheel drive vehicle, on a track which favors 4 wheel drives. He is not the only WRC driver in this race and RG mopped up the majority in a 2 wheel drive vehicle. Once the long , straight runs come, Sainz will get his doors blown off baring mechanical issues. In Sainz interview, he sounded as if he just drove to hell and back......RG sounded like it was just another day in the office. Not bashing Sainz, he is a world class racer, but so is RG. This race is not a done deal by any means.

[RGFan]

Was this meant for humor or just a typo? :D

Allen R

LOL:D

[JeffG]

I think you will see Sainz out class RG the hole way, he is better anyday at this kind of thing. Watch and you will see, unless he crashes, it is see ya

We'll see. It sounds like Sainz's back could barely make it the "hole" 40 miles.

[SunsetCliffsMocos]

Was this meant for humor or just a typo? :D

Allen R

Dave had some health issues that affected his spelling.:( They didn't affect his knowledge of the sport though.

[RGFan]

Dave had some health issues that affected his spelling.:( They didn't affect his knowledge of the sport though.

Well, with comments like he made, maybe it is. Let me put it this way, If Sainz was driving the H3 and Gordon was driving the Toureg II, would the results be the same. I think not. TIme will tell. With that said, if Sainz wins, I do not think it is because he has any more talent, but rather the drivetrain. I consider Gordon and Sainz world class racers.

[SunsetCliffsMocos]

Well, with comments like he made, maybe it is. :eek: Let me put it this way, If Sainz was driving the H3 and Gordon was driving the Toureg II, would the results be the same. I think not. TIme will tell. With that said, if Sainz wins, I do not think it is because he has any more talent, but rather the drivetrain. I consider Gordon and Sainz world class racers.

I agree with your rally rationale, but that was a low blow Joe.

[RGFan]

I agree with your rally rationale, but that was a low blow Joe.

It's all in good fun, right:D . I have no enemies here, just disagree with some from time to time.

[SunsetCliffsMocos]

It's all in good fun, right:D . I have no enemies here, just disagree with some from time to time.

:) Right on! :)

[harleys dad]

RGFAN, just because i feel another way than you doesnt make me wrong. And he is rite, a stroke left my spelling a mess. I have the worce time putting letters together for that I cant help it. If my wife is not around to help me spell things, it looks bad. But I still say Sainz is going to whoop butt on RG. Yes, I would love for RG to run away and hide, but reality is Sainz has got school in session and his school is hard to follow. I really would love to see RG beet him, because to me that really would make RG the best. We can agree to disagree and not insult me. Sainz has more rally wins than Rg has dezert wins, I dont know if you know that or not, and his wins were against the best in the world. I have watched him for a long time, and RG will have to make 0 mistakes the entire way to even have a chance. Thats real hard to do, its a way of life for Sainz.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Don't forget about Gil... He totally schooled everyone the last Dakar for ten days. We will know more day by day as to who is going the right direction. We didn't expect Miller to be out in 20 minutes. If the stages stay the way they are Robby will begin to pull out very far the longer the stages. One flat tire can drop you 20 spots... Yasser in his BMW was the fastest today by far. But a flat prevented him from putting RG in 3rd. This is some good tight racing no doubt.

[randy s]

how old is 'el matador" anyway? the sob must be about 84 yrs. old for crissake. he can obviously still wheel those things around, but if he has any problems, it's [his age] bound to be an issue. he does'nt look like he's in very good shape. he was'nt that competitive his last couple of years in world rally was he? i think what i'm trying to do is talk myself into believing that carlos is destined to tank. wish me luck.

[bufeo]

...We can agree to disagree and not insult me. ...

I meant no harm at all. I think it was my comment that struck the harmful chord. I really thought you might have been referring to the 'hole' that Carlos found himself in at the '06 Dakar. Please accept my apologies. I don't make comments to hurt or be personal criticism.

Allen R

[b-makk]

Did Sainz lose his navigator in a sandstorm last year or was that Sousa?

[RGFan]

RGFAN, just because i feel another way than you doesnt make me wrong. And he is rite, a stroke left my spelling a mess. I have the worce time putting letters together for that I cant help it. If my wife is not around to help me spell things, it looks bad. But I still say Sainz is going to whoop butt on RG. Yes, I would love for RG to run away and hide, but reality is Sainz has got school in session and his school is hard to follow. I really would love to see RG beet him, because to me that really would make RG the best. We can agree to disagree and not insult me. Sainz has more rally wins than Rg has dezert wins, I dont know if you know that or not, and his wins were against the best in the world. I have watched him for a long time, and RG will have to make 0 mistakes the entire way to even have a chance. Thats real hard to do, its a way of life for Sainz.

I do not believe I said anything to insult you, other then I disagree with you. And wasn't it you who kept talking trash, saying that Sainz was "going to outclass RG in every stage". I am sorry for your stroke, but I never made fun of you, if you took it that way, I sincerely appologize, we all screw up on spelling from time to time, stroke or not. As far as wins, Sainz has 26 WRC wins over his career and countless others. As I said earlier, he is world class, no doubt about that at all. One major reason he has more rally wins then RG has desert wins is because RG has competed in desert racing not even half time since around 1990. In the meantime, RG has been busy winning in the likes of Nascar, CART, IMSA, GTO, what is now ALS, and some desert races sprinkled in along the way. They both had some opportunites in F1 at somepoint in their careers, which they both turned down because they love to drive on their terms. That is what I like about the both of them, they said no to the establishment and did things their way.

I guess we can agree do disagree on this and call it good. ;)

[RGFan]

how old is 'el matador" anyway? the sob must be about 84 yrs. old for crissake. he can obviously still wheel those things around, but if he has any problems, it's [his age] bound to be an issue. he does'nt look like he's in very good shape. he was'nt that competitive his last couple of years in world rally was he? i think what i'm trying to do is talk myself into believing that carlos is destined to tank. wish me luck.

46 years old

[CDN11]

Read about Sainz
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Sainz

[Chris Tobin]

Did Sainz lose his navigator in a sandstorm last year or was that Sousa?

Pretty sure it was Sousa... He won the first couple stages then tanked in the desert sands...

[harleys dad]

What I have allways noticed about Sainz is it looks like he puts 10 times the effort than is needed into steering and driving his car. When they used to show incar cameras in the WRC shows, Sainz would look like he was beating himself to death with his arms going back an forth and a big grimmes on his face. The others like Mcrae would look so smooth in car but their times were the same. El Matador, on the outside looks very smooth and mistake free though. I am an American and would love for an American to win this race. I will still go with my pick because that is what this thread is about, who do you think will win, I pick Sainz, and if I am wrong and it is RG that wins, Far out.

[Ferrari333SP]

This Dieter Depping guy seems awefully quick. Will be interesting to see how he does; I think he's pretty young too.

[racer951]

Al-Attiyah is looking really strong too. I believe he had a flat on stage 1 that put him back, but after a 4th on stage 2a and a first on stage 2b, he's one spot ahead of RG in 6th. Look for him to overtake Roma tomorrow for 5th.

[RGFan]

Does not look like Sainz "Outclassed" Gordon today

[alan4s]

Does not look like Sainz "Outclassed" Gordon today

Nope, but it could happen to anyone.


Carlos Sainz – VW - 201

“This hasn’t been a good day for us at all so far! To start with, we had to drive a fair bit of the special in 2nd gear because the gear control broke. After that, it was the demister that stopped working, meaning we could hardly see anything, and as if that wasn’t enough, at the end the windscreen wipers failed!... A real stroke of bad luck!”

[RGFan]

Nope, but it could happen to anyone. Oh, absolutely without a doubt. I was just told that Sainz would "outclass" RG in every stage of the rally;) ;)

[bufeo]

Overall, Sainz is 'adrift' of RG a couple of places back.

Allen R

[harleys dad]

Oh, absolutely without a doubt. I was just told that Sainz would "outclass" RG in every stage of the rally;) ;)
if you would have read what I said, I said baring any machanical trouble, looks like Sainz really put it to him after he got fixed, or run into Mashiocas co driver. Rg heads up has yet to put time on him, maybe in the rougher stages he will, but I cant think it will be to ruff if they shortend the stage because the ruts started to grow???? Being that Sainz is behind RG by a couple of spots, does this mean Sainz will pass RG on the up comming stage if he puts time on him?? Is there passing at all??? on a race like this or do they start far enough apart that they dont catch each other? The vws did relly good in Baja with out there best driver so it will be interesting to see how ruff this really gets. I think the organazation set this race cource up for the factory Mitsubishi type vehicles and vws to compete, not for the hummers large wheel travel, time will tell

[RGFan]

if you would have read what I said, I said baring any machanical trouble, looks like Sainz really put it to him after he got fixed, or run into Mashiocas co driver. Rg heads up has yet to put time on him, maybe in the rougher stages he will, but I cant think it will be to ruff if they shortend the stage because the ruts started to grow???? Being that Sainz is behind RG by a couple of spots, does this mean Sainz will pass RG on the up comming stage if he puts time on him?? Is there passing at all??? on a race like this or do they start far enough apart that they dont catch each other? The vws did relly good in Baja with out there best driver so it will be interesting to see how ruff this really gets. I think the organazation set this race cource up for the factory Mitsubishi type vehicles and vws to compete, not for the hummers large wheel travel, time will tell
The stages up to now have suited the VW's, Tomorrow it should suit the Hummer. I think Sainz pulling on RG in the second special today had everything to do with 4 wheel drive and nothing to do with out classing. As far as the VW's doing well in Baja, they had their best driver for that type of race.....Mark Miller.;) With the Hummers superior speed and ability to handle the whoops, along with Sainz's bad back, baring any mechanical issues, RG's lead will grow over Sainz by at least a couple of minutes, at least. Cautiously optimistic for a P1 Stage finish and top 3 overall.

[michael_loomis]

King Dave, you have to be careful with RGFan, sometimes he takes the wrong meds and goes awol with his posts when he doesn't have a post from SuperFly to cut and paste. :D :D

My question is, wasn't stage one more suited for the Hummer but Sainz won by 41 seconds? so is stage 4 the same as far as whoops, but less tight and twisty?

oh and Dave, yes, the catch each other, you should watch some of the highlight reals from last year, the big Monster Hummer giving "bump drafting" practice to another vehicle shot from the helo. gave me wood.

[RGFan]

Hey Loomis, how is that Zoloft increase treating you...I heard a rumor that you were hitting the lithium now also........Be careful with that man. You actually speak with out your leader Chase in the room....wow:D

The posts from over there have been stating all along that the only thing that helps the hummers is suspension. The others have the distinct advantage with the 4 wheel drive on the tight, technical courses, and yet, RG is still 6th overall, just 5 minutes behind and ahead of Sainz, who has 4 wheel drive.......I thought you knew about this stuff Loomis. You are starting to worry me.....Like I said earlier, would the results be the same if Rg was in the RT 2 and Sainz was in the Hummer......I think not.;)

[michael_loomis]

My question is, wasn't stage one more suited for the Hummer but Sainz won by 41 seconds? so is stage 4 the same as far as whoops, but less tight and twisty?



So when are you going to answer the ???? lol

[RGFan]

I think "The others have the distince advantage with the 4 wheel drive on the tight, technical courses" about covered it......I know there are some big words in there, if it is to difficult, maybe we can start you out with Pug and let you work your way up.:D Have fun, I'm going back to work

[michael_loomis]

hmm.. let me type is slowwwwer..

IS...... STAGE..... FOUR (4*)....... TIGHT........ AND.......... TECHINICAL..... LIKE.....STAGE....... ONE (1**)......... IN........WHICH.........RG (Robby Gordon)......LOST......TO.......SAINZ (rally racer Carlos Sainz).....BY***.......41****.......SECONDS...... BECAUSE....OF.....THE.....DISTINCT.......4WD...... ..ADVANTAGE?


*not to be confused with for

**not to be confused with won which will be the end result for Team Dakar USA

***not to be confused with bye(which Chase waved to the marathon forum when his boy wadded up) or Bi (meaning 2 or in your case, the fact that you get down with both male and female companions) :D :D

**** your favorite number. ;)

LOL

[RGFan]

WHAT PART OF ENGLISH DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND THERE CORKY.


Nice post, I can imagine the slobber dripping down your face now.....That missing chromosome is really kicking your arse today:D :D ;) There is no medication for that one. Do not forget to strap on your RG Monster Souveigner Helmet before you get on the short bus heading over to Chase's house:D :D :D ;)

[michael_loomis]

just trying to not make any assumptions that stage 4 is the same as stage 1. cause then we'd BOTH be ass's... oh ..wait.. LOL

and so far, no one has the nuts to come out and say it bluntly. So, we can expect RG to be hot on the heels of the rally guys again for stage 4. Then 5,6, and 7 we clean house. I can live with that.

I like Mark Miller too much to go over to chase's house and laugh. Although a ride on Nimrods bus does sound like fun!

[michael_loomis]

ps... whats a "Souveigner"?

Is that like a Fahrvergnügen?

I'll stop now.. since arguing with RGF is like winning the special olympics... :P lol

[alan4s]

just trying to not make any assumptions that stage 4 is the same as stage 1. cause then we'd BOTH be ass's... oh ..wait.. LOL

and so far, no one has the nuts to come out and say it bluntly. So, we can expect RG to be hot on the heels of the rally guys again for stage 4. Then 5,6, and 7 we clean house. I can live with that.

I like Mark Miller too much to go over to chase's house and laugh. Although a ride on Nimrods bus does sound like fun!

At the risk of starting you two up again:

A tasty morsel
There are two specials on the menu for the 4th stage, which is the longest of this first Central Europe Rally, at a distance of 580 km, 150 km of which are against the clock. After leaving Debrecen, the competitors will first have to stomach the 213 km of the link stage to Dabas, before tucking into the first time-trial which follows the same route as the very first special of the rally, but in the opposite direction this time! Sand and woops will therefore be on the menu again. After that, the caravan will be back on the tarmac for a new link stage of 206 km to the military base in Vezsprem, the finishing point of this 4th stage. However, before reaching the base, the competitors will have to get through the 88-km second special on a constantly changing terrain, typical of the Hungarian plains. They will be served up with a track that will be at times both flat and quick and at other times very muddy and bumpy, so the drivers and riders will have to adapt their pace to the terrain. In such conditions, the slightest mistake will probably result in a time loss of several minutes.




No hair pulling now... :D

[michael_loomis]

Hard info.. Thanks!

[SunsetCliffsMocos]

Nice, sounds favorable!!

[Ferrari333SP]

Monkey

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Well if Carlos Beats RG by 41 seconds in the next 4 stages wins Carlos by 25 seconds.

However... RG has two strait days of slipping and sliding 2wd... Tomorrow RG will feel like he is on rails and absolutly distroy the field. It's in the F'n bag my RDC bruthas.

[RGFan]

ps... whats a "Souveigner"?

Is that like a Fahrvergnügen?

I'll stop now.. since arguing with RGF is like winning the special olympics... :P lol


Spoken like a true "Special Olympian". Do not forget your helmet there Corky;)

We will raise your IQ one point by catching me in a typo. We can upgrade you to idiot savant. What is your one special talent........Master Skin Futist:D

Alright, back to racing.

[bufeo]

Well, 'harleys dad' gets the prize.

I don't think the win was overwhelming, but it was a win nevertheless.

Allen R

[RGFan]

Well, 'harleys dad' gets the prize.

I don't think the win was overwhelming, but it was a win nevertheless.

Allen R

Allbeit because of mechanical failure.....Good win for Sainz none the less. But as was stated before, he by no means "Outclassed" RG. If Rg would have been in it, it would have been a race for the ages, I think everybody saw that.

[harleys dad]

Allbeit because of mechanical failure.....Good win for Sainz none the less. But as was stated before, he by no means "Outclassed" RG. If Rg would have been in it, it would have been a race for the ages, I think everybody saw that.
you seam to ignore the problems Sainz had with his VW durring the event, when They were both in contension. I think RG did ok but Sainz only got beat by RG by 1 second 1 time, the rest of the race Sainz put big time on him, except when he had to drive in 2nd gear, or ran over Masokas co-driver There was really not a chance at the race of the ages, as you call it. I have got to hand it to you though, your loyalty to RG is complete, but as far as being on the same level, Sainz did not make millions upon millions of dollors to sit in the drivers seat for nothing, way more than RG ever did or will. Mistakes can kill a race like this, and you can be sure RG will make more of them than Sainz any day of the week. Bolts braking on a hub is a bad desing on the part of the MFG, not RG fault in my opinion. He should forsure go away from his hub suppler, because it could happen again. I hope RG is able to add a gear and not have to put a smaller restrictor for his next event, because I do beleive he can win one of these races with a little luck on his side, but it would have to be at the expence of the factory teams having trouble. We all love the big travel car like RG has, but the fact is were ever the course is run, it is not going to be laid out to RGs benefit for the most part, because VW and Mitsu would not have spent millions to build the vehicles they have if the race was that ruff. I read on heir how the course was great for the 4 wheel drive cars and how suprised everybody on RDC was because of it, of cource it was, thats what the factorys run, and the promotor knows it and desings it for them. Team USA did a good job, hope their plan for the next one pays off in a podiom position

[RGFan]

you seam to ignore the problems Sainz had with his VW durring the event, when They were both in contension. I think RG did ok but Sainz only got beat by RG by 1 second 1 time, the rest of the race Sainz put big time on him, except when he had to drive in 2nd gear, or ran over Masokas co-driver There was really not a chance at the race of the ages, as you call it. I have got to hand it to you though, your loyalty to RG is complete, but as far as being on the same level, Sainz did not make millions upon millions of dollors to sit in the drivers seat for nothing, way more than RG ever did or will. Mistakes can kill a race like this, and you can be sure RG will make more of them than Sainz any day of the week. Bolts braking on a hub is a bad desing on the part of the MFG, not RG fault in my opinion. He should forsure go away from his hub suppler, because it could happen again. I hope RG is able to add a gear and not have to put a smaller restrictor for his next event, because I do beleive he can win one of these races with a little luck on his side, but it would have to be at the expence of the factory teams having trouble. We all love the big travel car like RG has, but the fact is were ever the course is run, it is not going to be laid out to RGs benefit for the most part, because VW and Mitsu would not have spent millions to build the vehicles they have if the race was that ruff. I read on heir how the course was great for the 4 wheel drive cars and how suprised everybody on RDC was because of it, of cource it was, thats what the factorys run, and the promotor knows it and desings it for them. Team USA did a good job, hope their plan for the next one pays off in a podiom position

Sainz's mechanical problems pailed in comparison to RG's, which has been proven with the times lost...RG also beat him by 43 seconds as well, not just 1 second, and that one second should have been alot closer to 30-40 seconds with RG having to come to a complete stop when he almost nailed the photographer....... The only place Sainz put big time on RG was in the mud where all wheel drive proved far superior to 2 wheel drive, along with RG's hub failure.......Hardly because of driver talent, I think the finishes speak for themselves otherwise. Obviously you are a Sainz/WRC fan as much as I am a RG Fan, your undetered favoritism comes through. That's cool, I can agree to disagree with you. I do believe that RG could have had a legitimate shot at a win without the hub/wheel issues. As far as who has been more successful.......Well, I would love to see Sainz win in multiple forms of racing, on asphalt and off, like RG has before comparing him to RG...... I know, 26 WRC wins. True, RG has less wins, but IMO, that is not because of less talent, but maybe because of his business decisions and choice to remain his own boss, rather then drive for top tier teams. If the roles were reversed, do I think Sainz could compete with RG, no I do not. But I guess we will ever know....Sainz will always drive for a well funded factory team, and RG will always choose to do things his own way. But for a guy like RG to not only hang, but out perform at times a WRC champion driving for perhaps the best team in CCR with an underfunded team I believe tells the story and that is why I am a fan of RG.

Here is to agreeing to disagree, and congrats for a good race;)

[FlyHiFlyLo]

There is no denying the shear numbers against Team Dakar USA in these rallys. But when it's all said and done for ths race... RG is walking away with tons of knowledge as to where he was beat and exactly how he was beat.

With that said I will say two more things... If Dakar would have taken place as scheduled the result would have been very close the same with exception of the Vanguard car. I really think Ronn wouldn't have brought it home in the top 20.

And finally, there is a few technical and navigational, additions that will come to RGM and will improve vehicle performance, logistics and also augment a failure recovery.

I expect a very very good showing in South America too.

[dfmcse]

. . .

I expect a very very good showing in South America too.

I know I'm looking forward to it! I'm also looking forward to the H3 w/unrestricted motor in the Baja 500. Should be good.

[RGFan]

I know I'm looking forward to it! I'm also looking forward to the H3 w/unrestricted motor in the Baja 500. Should be good.

That will be interesting.......The H3 with big hp. What a great test for the next rally. I never thought I would refer to RG racing in baja as a test. But running the H3, that is exactly what it sounds like, and no doubt for the win.......I wonder if the Toureg 2's will be there again.

[dfmcse]

That will be interesting.......The H3 with big hp. What a great test for the next rally. I never thought I would refer to RG racing in baja as a test. But running the H3, that is exactly what it sounds like, and no doubt for the win.......I wonder if the Toureg 2's will be there again.

The question I have is RG going to be driving the H3 or the TT? Who drives what he doesn't??? hmmm. :confused: Does BJ go back to his day job or stay with Robby Gordon Off Road?

New soap opera coming this Spring, As The Toyo Turns. :rolleyes:

[Ferrari333SP]

Some website today I read that the VW team will be at the Baja 500 with a new TDI diesel engine. Last year if I remember correctly they went the whole way without stopping once for fuel? Whatever the case, that thing has some serious mileage advantages, and with more power this year, they are bound to do even better.

[sandracer33]

Some website today I read that the VW team will be at the Baja 500 with a new TDI diesel engine. Last year if I remember correctly they went the whole way without stopping once for fuel? Whatever the case, that thing has some serious mileage advantages, and with more power this year, they are bound to do even better.

Looking forward to seeing them here again.Should be interesting!
How about SCORE "restricting" fuel cell size to 3 gallons on TDI vehicles???? Not saying that our inlet restrictor is VW`s fault (thanks ASO) but would be fun to see the tables turned!!

[randy s]

how many cars does vw have available. both mark and de villiers cars are toast right? can they fix them and get them shipped in time or is that not a problem for big factory teams? there's not alot of time before the 500.

[charlie_brown]

sorry if i am lazy but, can some one post a link or just post like the top ten or so and what place robby is. please
good grief

[RGFan]

RG 10th overall after losing 1.5 hours to the hub issues....Without those hub issues, he was a contender for the overall.....

[Chase 2]

Looking forward to seeing them here again.Should be interesting!

VW is not bringing their Rally cars back to Baja. New TDI Trophy Trucks are being built and will be ready for the 1000.

[dfmcse]

VW is not bringing their Rally cars back to Baja. New TDI Trophy Trucks are being built and will be ready for the 1000.

New VW TT spy photo:

http://www.zmetro.com/vw.jpg

Just kidding. :D

However, it will be interesting to see what they show-up with.

[chewy]

More info about the new VW Trophy Truck.

http://www.dieselforecast.com/ArticleDetails.php?articleID=480

The street version of the V12 TDI makes 500 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque (probably more with a beefier transmission) out of 6 liters. The street version of the V12 TDI gets better fuel economy than the V10 TDI. The V12 TDI is really fuel efficient for its power and vehicle weight (Audi Q7)

Can't wait to see it.

Pictures (cut aways) of the street engine.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/15/detroit-r8-deciphering-the-audi-v12-tdi/#comments

[FlyHiFlyLo]

More info about the new VW Trophy Truck.

http://www.dieselforecast.com/ArticleDetails.php?articleID=480

The street version of the V12 TDI makes 500 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque (probably more with a beefier transmission) out of 6 liters. The street version of the V12 TDI gets better fuel economy than the V10 TDI. The V12 TDI is really fuel efficient for its power and vehicle weight (Audi Q7)

Can't wait to see it.

Pictures (cut aways) of the street engine.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/15/detroit-r8-deciphering-the-audi-v12-tdi/#comments


This is the best part of the story...

The Touareg Trophy Truck will debut sometime this fall. Drivers Ryan Arciero and Mark Miller will compete in the Baja 1000 with the Touareg V-12 TDI in November 2008. Arciero and Miller have previously won the diesel class at the Baja 500 with a 2.5L five cylinder Touareg TDI and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb with a 5.0L V-10 powered version.


Man! Those were some hard fought battles. They should thank Chase for his high quality H2O. Without his services victory would have been lost for sure.