Leg 8 preview: one last effort before the rest day (best-of-rallylive.com) UPDATE: "First part of the stage cancelled A few changes have been made to today's stage due to the torrential rain falling on the area: the first part of the special has been cancelled, including the entire Truck stage, which was supposed to take place on this part of the course. On the other hand, the second part of the special for cars, motorcycles and quads will go on as planned. The motorcycles and quads will set off at 12:00 pm local time, followed by the cars at 2:05 pm."
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ1E2dhiVYc]2013 Dakar - Endurance - XtreM Adventure powered by Michelin - YouTube[/ame]
Quick stats: There were 152 vehicles in the car category at the start of Stage 1, 106 remaining and authorized to start today. 183 bikes started, 143 as of today. Quads, 38 > 29. Trucks, 75 > 65.
It's raining on the stage, apparently. They cut the first half of the stage for similar reasons and started from way point 5 and now they've deleted about a third of the remainder. Looks like this means they're calling way point 9 the end and establishing the stage win and overall standings based on times to that point. I assume that means most of the competitors were already through WP9 by the time the conditions went to heck. On the other hand, from what I've seen of the times so far I suspect some of the leaders were already struggling en route to WP9. Stand by for details.
Dakar officials are apparently still trying to figure out how score this one. That is, who gets what time. They stopped the stage at WP9 but that seems to be more about stopping the action to avoid endangering crews. I think they're still trying to decide what to call the official timing termination. Seems like it would be easier than this but there are a lot of details to consider and I'm sure many teams are also lobbying for something advantageous. Given the indecision, I wonder whether this article title is premature... Leg 8: a stage win at last for Chicherit! (best-of-rallylive.com)
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL3rH_A9Q6E]Leg 8 - 2013 Dakar - Best-of-RallyLive.com (GB) - YouTube[/ame]
I'm not sure I understand the logic, here's what they decided to do. From the official Dakar page: The site is no longer showing the way point times as they stood when Stage 8 was red flagged so I can't check to refresh my memory, but I think Peterhansel may have been the last of the 5 who were actually able to reach WP9. Car Rankings adjusted after Stage 8 (iRallylive.com)
And on the seventh day even the Dakar shalt rest… San Miguel de Tucuman in Argentina plays host today to the rest day for all the participants in the thirty-fifth edition of this fascinating rally.
Yup, and tomorrow is Stage 9. Here's the quick description from MiniMotorsport.com: Day 10 14 January 2013 Stage: 9 Start/Finish: San Miguel de Tucumán/Córdoba Total length (km): 852 Competitive Kilometres: 593 Liaison (km): 259 The first stage back after the rest day is also the longest on the 2013 Rally Dakar. Not only that, but it is technically demanding too. Parts of the route through the so-called “Heart of Argentina†lead along winding forest tracks. Caution is the byword in this region. Anyone who comes unstuck here is on his own, as there is no way through here for assistance trucks.
And full marks to Tucuman for having publicity girls that look as cute as anyone could want - and yet they're dressed modestly enough that their grandmothers would be proud to see them at work:
