Dakar 2012 - Stage 8 - Copiapo to Antofagasta

[Ferrari333SP]

I didn't see the thread created yet for it, so here it is.

Bikes are through CP2, with Depres losing 12 minutes because of getting stuck in mud.

Cars have left on the liason for the start of the special.

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[Short Bus]

Dakar tracker - Stage 8

http://gaps.dakar.com/2012/dakar/stage-08/aso/ukie.php

COURSE OVERVIEW


At this stage of the competition, the number of contenders for the title will be reduced to a small handful in each category. But despite the significant number of kilometres to be covered, this first stage after the rest day should not be relied on to create decisive gaps. The rally's longest special stage will be used to allow the competitors to get back into the pace of the competition. On the stone-covered tracks which will lead to Antofagasta, the pace will be rather intense, but this will not prevent the drivers from catching sight of some magnificent views.

[onebuilder]

Somebody wake up Klaus!

Appears to be the longest stage so far and elevation over 10,000ft

[spalind]

Dakar tracker - Stage 8

http://gaps.dakar.com/2012/dakar/stage-08/aso/ukie.php

COURSE OVERVIEW


At this stage of the competition, the number of contenders for the title will be reduced to a small handful in each category. But despite the significant number of kilometres to be covered, this first stage after the rest day should not be relied on to create decisive gaps. The rally's longest special stage will be used to allow the competitors to get back into the pace of the competition. On the stone-covered tracks which will lead to Antofagasta, the pace will be rather intense, but this will not prevent the drivers from catching sight of some magnificent views.

Hmm...so they're not expecting such a long stage to produce many gaps in time huh?? I think Nasser (if he holds things together) may have something to say about that...

[stevef]

I didn't see the thread created yet for it, so here it is.

Bikes are through CP2, with Depres losing 12 minutes because of getting stuck in mud.

Cars have left on the liason for the start of the special.

Since Depres lost coma after the first CP he has been losing ground ever since. I wonder if he does better when he is following Coma but cant match his pace when he isnt near him.

[Offspring]

Big challenges today! 300, 303 off

[Ferrari333SP]

14:37 Cars: The Hummers get going
Nasser Al-Attiyah and Robby Gordon were the first drivers to enter today's 477-kilometre special. They will be followed by Peterhansel, Holowczyc and Roma's Minis and Giniel De Villiers' Toyota. They should reach CP1, 65 kilometres into the stage, in approximately 40 minutes.

[stevef]

from autosport.com

Nasser Al-Attiyah sure he can still win 2012 Dakar Rally despite gap to front
Sunday, January 8th 2012, 16:56 GMT

Nasser Al-Attiyah is still confident he has a good chance of defending his Dakar Rally title despite being just under 43 minutes behind leader Stephane Peterhansel at the rally's halfway point.

Now driving for Robby Gordon's Hummer operation after former team Volkswagen's withdrawal, Al-Attiyah has had several mechanical problems during the opening week, leaving him only sixth as the rally paused for its traditional rest day today.

But having won Saturday's stage by seven minutes, Al-Attiyah believes catching Peterhansel is still feasible.

"Our objective is to claw back seven or eight minutes every day," said the Qatari driver. "And today we did it perfectly.

"We will do our best to repeat this performance in all stages from Monday onwards, or even try to do better. At any rate, we have no other choice if we still want to win the Dakar."

Gordon was second fastest behind Al-Attiyah yesterday despite having to stop and attend to a puncture. Currently running third, the American is very confident in his team-mate's chances of pulling off a comeback victory.

"I am sure Nasser is going to win this thing," Gordon declared. "Okay, the others are still ahead, but I think we are in a very good position for the rest of the rally."

[spalind]

Maybe not so much??

"The driver from Qatar and his Hummer stopped for a few minutes 17 km into today's special. His teammate is now leading the way."

[Offspring]

"I am sure Nasser is going to win this thing," Gordon declared. "Okay, the others are still ahead, but I think we are in a very good position for the rest of the rally."

Misspoke / misquote?