will mark miller [or any other american entry] ever win dakar?

[randy s]

i could be wrong, but it seems like most folks figure that RG would prolly be the first american to win dakar, and that would be great. but with factory support from vw, it would seem that mark's chances might be better. after all, mark did have a better rally than RG. can mark win this thing? or any other american entry for that matter.

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[Offspring]

Interesting. Mark has had to have moved up in the VW pecking order since he started over there, he has done great. It is important I think to get off to a good start relative to the other VW cars so you won't get team orders to wait, help, stop for other VW's in trouble. I think he can win this thing...

[randy s]

that's a strong point. it'll be tough in europe for miller. sainz is really fast in portugal and spain. he's [mark] gotta be in the mix til they get to n. africa. then it's on him. and luck for sure. they're all world class drivers and navigators. one of mark's main assets i think is that he has had to learn to take care of the car racing baja races as a more or less privateer. those other guys have had serious factory backing their whole careers. you can show a bit less regard for gear if it's on your dime. [ain't that right robby].

[Mark_Miller]

I am taking off today so i thought I'd give you a quick thought. I drove the car last week and it feels great. cars have been finished for 3 weeks and all the small details and final organization is going on now, bags packed for proper trucks with all the clothes and tents etc. I was in Germany last week to do mechanical training, so we can expedite all the small things that we might need to fix. Got some creature comfort items nailed down in the cockpit etc.

You guys are all the best fans for Americans and Thanks, beware that this years rally is 42% longer than last, it will be twice or more diffacult, most of the added mileage is in the dunes so the 4wd will be much needed. The only orders are to win! I will take a Baja approach. here is a link to a canadian site that also will be following me.
http://programs.sbs.com.au/dakar/

www.usadakar.com will get updated next week it will show you where to go for audio updates which will be almost live.

happy holidays, i'll be in Lisbon!

[DUMP!]

I am taking off today so i thought I'd give you a quick thought. I drove the car last week and it feels great. cars have been finished for 3 weeks and all the small details and final organization is going on now, bags packed for proper trucks with all the clothes and tents etc. I was in Germany last week to do mechanical training, so we can expedite all the small things that we might need to fix. Got some creature comfort items nailed down in the cockpit etc.

You guys are all the best fans for Americans and Thanks, beware that this years rally is 42% longer than last, it will be twice or more diffacult, most of the added mileage is in the dunes so the 4wd will be much needed. The only orders are to win! I will take a Baja approach. here is a link to a canadian site that also will be following me.
http://programs.sbs.com.au/dakar/

www.usadakar.com will get updated next week it will show you where to go for audio updates which will be almost live.

happy holidays, i'll be in Lisbon!

Good Luck Mark!!!!!!!!!

Dump

[NIKAL]

Yes, Good Luck Mark and to all the American entries this year.

[Tipracer]

Go get em Mark!!! Team orders out the window(jk, Run your race and let everybody else chase...I would love to see you guys get a podium (and a couple stage wins as well), Quick question are you going to drive the baja in the trucks being built?

[kaw500]

Thanks for the update Mark, we'll be following. No doubt in my mind that you are a legitimate contender for the podium. BAJA approach oh yeah!!

[FlyHiFlyLo]

You know the rules Mark... If RG doesn't win... I hope you do.

I hope you get that stage win this year.

Sad to hear, but Craig has decided not to take the bet this year. Is he feeling the heat from the RG effort?

[kellonwalch]

Mark has the WORK ETHIC and HEART it takes to win DAKAR. While everyone here is still putting vehicles together Mark isn't even thinking or worried about that. Being on a factory team like VW can be a huge plus. Also, while other drivers are here in the states doing other things Mark is in Europe and Africa racing actuall rallies just like Dakar and then going back and re-driving the routes again and again, testing and testing and practicing with a factory team and recieving info and test knowledge from other team-mates. ALOT of hard, dedicated work. He's not out at Dumont or Glamis driving in some sand that doesn't really simulate the Dakar, plus Mark is practicing with navigation and a road book, exactly how it is in the Dakar. Thats just the advantage that he has and what everyone else here has to finacially deal with. Its not a true all American effort, but its a dang good chance of getting an American to finally win this thing. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying anyone else isn't working this hard. I am more than 110% behind any american that is doing Dakar, ESPECIALLY the RG effort. Robby is the man and I give him all the props for the effort he puts and I hope he does win, I just thought I would throw some of my thoughts out there. NO matter what, I know we are going to get an American to win this thing and hopefully it is this year. I can't wait to get back to Dakar(except in a roll cage this time) and hopefully I am part of a winning American team in the future. Good Luck to all the American that will be in Dakar this year!!!