DAKAR 2012 - Final Thoughts

[Dirty Harry]

Robby Gordon was, a few steps, a rival for the final victory Peterhansel. When asked about the fantastic American Stéphane does not beat the back of the spoon. "If Robby Gordon is no error control and navigation, he may take us 10 to 15 minutes a day. But fortunately for us, he made many mistakes. I saw him do things to me was unimaginable. he jumped huge dunes, I expected to find him down after 12 but not barrels! Gordon cheating in nascar, Dakar, etc.. it is his reputation, he has no rules. he is there to do the show, it appeals to the organizers as he is spectacular and there is talk of Dakar in the United States with him. "

I am not sure why you are so mad at Peterhansel. Don't get me wrong I love Robby but that is all pretty accurate.

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[Short Bus]

I don't follow NASCAR at all, but I know Robby is a bottom feeder there. Does he really cheat there? If he is, maybe he should try not cheating and see if that works out any better.

[jo maoma]

[Baja Fool]

Dakar will never go back to Africa. The very real threat to the safety of the participants is not the only reason. ASO while in africa had well-funded teams with every kind of technology and bling available drive right by the homes of some of the poorest people on earth. It doesn't look pc on television. What happens when the leader breaks down, the heli lands, and now there are 4 or 5 well-fed, healthy foreigners standing next to millions of dollars of equipment, while the locals watching might be starving, living in squalor, or trying to catch their small herd of goats you just scared off? in south america, when Robby went over and the spectators ran out to help him, they looked like normal desert race fans: driving modern vehicles and living comfortable lives. They didn't look like the kids in a UNCEF commercial. The Dakar website lists their politically correct garbage like buying carbon credits and "social integration projects" to buy off the liberals in europe, but in the end all that matters is that on television, it looks like rich people racing through the poorest parts of the world. ASO needs to change the name of this event and concentrate on sponsors who sell product in south america.

While I may agree that the Dakar will never return to Africa, your somewhat harsh response to my "final thoughts" on a great rally lead me to the following:

1. The treat to participants is real.
2. Poor and living in squalor are relative. What we would characterize as poor may not be to them. Many of these people lead a much fuller life then we could possibly imagine.
3. I don't believe that the "evil liberals" have any thing to do with the fact the French don't give a rats azz about what anyone else thinks about what they think, say or do.
4. The ASO like other organizations are whoring themselves for the almighty buck and nothing speaks more volumes than that.

As I am a glass is half full kind of guy, I still hope that someday the Dakar will return to Africa.

[Chris Tobin]

I don't follow NASCAR at all, but I know Robby is a bottom feeder there. Does he really cheat there? If he is, maybe he should try not cheating and see if that works out any better.

I don't think Robby ever cheated in NASCAR... He contested a win in Nationwide on the track in Montreal (I think) and stayed on track after he was black flagged and did the burnout and all like he won after he got spun under caution and returned the favor. NASCAR parked him for the Cup race in Pocono the next day. And he also threw out a piece or roll bar padding to get a debris caution and it was caught on camera and he got penalized a few laps then made to look like a fool on camera after the race with the video, but MANY other racers have done that too!!! He also had front noses on the car after the swap to Dodge that had the wrong part number (because that was what was supplied to him, not cause he was trying to get an advantage) and he was docked points and fined, but on appeal points were restored but fine was increased.

In my opinion these were on track incidents and a mistake by a supplier, I would not at all call it cheating like Knaus or Evernham have done in NASCAR!!!

[hp_lovecraft]

Translation: "Robby Gordon is a badass and made us look like pussies in the dunes."

There is a good quote from Peterhansel at the end of stage 10 or 11? He was asked about the speed of the hummer, and said "RG is too fast, and reckless. He forces me to take risks. I would flip over if I went that fast".

My first thought was.... is he admitting that the hummer is not magically faster.. but that RG is a cowboy?

[bufeo]

There is a good quote from Peterhansel at the end of stage 10 or 11? He was asked about the speed of the hummer, and said "RG is too fast, and reckless. He forces me to take risks. I would flip over if I went that fast".

My first thought was.... is he admitting that the hummer is not magically faster.. but that RG is a cowboy?

Don't forget that Gordo did an 'endo' in a subsequent Stage. Guess Peterhansel had a chuckle at that.

Allen R

[hp_lovecraft]

Don't forget that Gordo did an 'endo' in a subsequent Stage. Guess Peterhansel had a chuckle at that.

My guess is that irritated him even more. When RG rolled over, the locals flipped him back, and he was running within seconds. A local also picked up his body panel, and returned it.

When Holowczycs flipped over, there was videos of him standing in the dunes while cars passed holding the tow strap.

[wheeli]

I don't follow NASCAR at all, but I know Robby is a bottom feeder there. Does he really cheat there? If he is, maybe he should try not cheating and see if that works out any better.

Its very hard to cheat in nascar in this day and age,most get caught before the race even gets going.Back in the day everyone that made it to the winners circle had some advantage that the rule book couldnt cover,Ive read biographys by Petty,Allison,Jr Johnson and many other greats that all said they were cheating,Harry Hydes 18 poles in a row with the late great Tim Richmond were the very best of the best. Calling RG a bottom feeder is your right I guess but you must understand the level of competition he is up against,He is a single car effort up against the very best super teams money can buy anywhere in the world.It is extremly hard to get your setup close to the competition only to see it change every 25 laps. Multi car teams can use data from all there teams to keep ahead of the setup and make the proper adjustments each time they come in for fresh tires,These teams have hundreds of employes to take care of every last detail they have stratagests putting together senarios on what will happen if they pit now what will happen if we pit then,all working towards the same goal ,winning the race.Compared to these super teams RGs got nothin,he's just a offroad racer tryin his dam best to kick some good ole boys butts,and thats why we love him! So if you want anyone to back you calling him a bottom feeder you best head over to michealwaltrip.com

[Hog Wild]

A few bits of information from inside the RG team…

It was FIA not ASO officials that gave Robby a hard time. They kept him up all night “discussing” the issue. FIA said it was his unusually high speed coming down the BIG dune (as recorded in the tracker) that convinced them he had some type of engine enhancement.

Lance Armstrong warned Robby about these kinds of harassments. It’s one way to mess with a guy so he takes himself out the next day.

Robby will be back next year FOR SURE.

Robby and Johnny got along great.

When Robby asked Nasser to “carry the water”, Nasser said he will never carry anyone’s water. Robby then said he’s no longer part of the bivouac team and asked him to stay out of their pit except to get in the car in the morning and drop it off in the evening (or something to that effect).

Robby and Nasser are still on fairly good terms. Nasser is interested in B1K.

Data from Nasser’s Hummer indicates every time the belt let loose he had just downshifted and WAY over revved the motor.