Dakar 2014

Steve · Nov 30, 2013

Build-up is underway for the 2014 Dakar, 5-18 Jan. Looks like they've thought hard about the the route this year, should be interesting. The bike and quad 2-day marathon stages are an entertaining idea.

The organisers of the Dakar have taken advantage of the announcement of the route of the 36th Dakar to reveal a list of competitors that is full of surprises. Despres with Yamaha, Casteu with KTM and Coma, Al Attiyah back in X-Raid to battle against â€œPeterâ€â€¦ the panorama has been turned upside down with a series of â€˜transfers' since last January.

The rendezvous is in Rosario, the city where one of the founding ceremonies of the Argentinian nation took place two hundred years ago, long before it saw the birth of Che Guevara, and later Lionel Messi. Next January 5th around 450 vehicles are expected in the city to start the 36th edition of the Dakar. It will be the longest one since the race first arrived in South America. It will cover more than 9,000 kilometres in total, of which 5,000 are special stages, to finally reach the Chilean port of Valparaiso, a historic travellers' destination, after crossing the stunning landscapes of Salar d'Uyuni in Bolivia. In terms of kilometres, the altitude record will also be surpassed plus two marathon stages for bikes and quads, whose itineraries have been separated over at least one third of the distance. Basically, the Dakar 2014 is longer, higher, and harder; the extreme endurance challenge par excellence. In all its categories, the race has already started behind the scenes with out-of-season transfers that will surely upset the forecasts.

Despres goes for it in a challenge Ã la Valentino Rossi

On two wheels, KTM's reign has lasted for twelve editions. However, the departure of Cyril Despres last spring deprives the Austrian team of one its trump cards. The team nevertheless maintains a good chance of continuing its domination, with a group headed by Marc Coma. The ambitious Catalan rider, who returns to the Dakar after a dislocated shoulder in 2013, wants to make up ground on his rival by adding a fourth trophy to his collection. He will be well accompanied in KTM by three former podium winners: Rubens Faria and Chaleco Lopez, respectively 2nd and 3rd in 2013, and also David Casteu, whose two previous experiences at the handlebars of a KTM saw him finish in the Top 5 (2nd in 2007, 4th in 2009). Naturally, KTM's number of victories will be directly challenged by Yamaha, whose YZF 450 already showed its pace last year. The five-time winner of the race has taken on the development of the machine during the year, and sets off on a challenge in the style of Valentino Rossi: To try and win a title after changing team. The official Honda team, which had its learning curve in the 2013 Dakar, has also pushed out the boat in its recruitment in its attempt to chase victory: with Helder Rodrigues, it can now count on the ambition of world champion Paolo GonÃ§alves and the proven speed of Joan Barreda.

Minis: A basket of crabs with golden clawsâ€¦

Traffic jams are quite likely at the top end of the cars category. The level of competition is such that the Minis' domination is not guaranteed, but Sven Qandt has taken steps to sow the seeds of chaos within his group. The owner of the X-raid team, who is not very fond of race orders, has convinced Nasser Al-Attiyah to come back, giving us the prospect of a battle for the title with StÃ©phane Peterhansel and Nani Roma and Krzysztof Holowczyc: a real basket of crabs with golden claws! Particularly adept at taking advantage of the panic around him, Giniel De Villiers will also benefit from a Toyota pick-up that is showing signs of maturity, after having occupied the last two places on the podium in 2012 and 2013. His team-mate Leeroy Poulter, who is starting his first Dakar, is also considered one of the rising starts in the discipline. As for the 4x4s, Ford's first steps will be closely watched now that Lucio Alvarez (5th in 2012) has been given the role of leader. And the buggies will also take part to contribute to the spectacle ... if possible in front of the Minis. Carlos Sainz's ambition has always been to win, and this time he plans to launch his attack at the wheel of an SMG buggy. A similar all-conquering spirit drives Robby Gordon, who will be at the wheel of a new-generation Hummer; a smaller model but highly powered. The fans of the big â€˜ships' sailing across the dunes will love the show provided by the always-spectacular BJ Baldwin, the recent winner of the Baja 1000.

Russia vs. Holland: A technological revolution in the trucks category

The quad riders could beat a new record of participation, with more than 40 entered. Among then, Marcos Patronelli will try and win his third title. His South American rivals have come closer and closer over the last few years, especially young riders such as Ignacio Casale and Lucas Bonetto. Poland's Rafal Sonik is also thereabouts â€¦ on two counts, because his team-mate is the only female quad rider, Camelia Liparoti.

In trucks, the triple win by Kamaz in 2013 has really motivated Nikolaev's rivals to carry out a technological revolution. The Ivecos of Gerard De Rooy and Hans Stacey, winners in 2012 and 2007, may no longer be the main rivals of the Russian â€˜Armada'. Wuf Van Ginkel will drive a completely redesigned Ginaf truck, while the Veka team has given Pieter Versluis a Man that has just come out of the workshop, and Ales Loprais has completely revamped his Tatra, now called â€œQueen 69â€. A whole world of promise â€¦

David Castera, Sports Director of the Dakar
â€œWe know that accumulated fatigue is one of the most complex factors to deal with in the Dakar. With an average of 50 extra kilometres to be covered every day in comparison with the previous edition, we could say that we have increased the level of difficulty by one or two notches: these extra kilometres will affect everyone! That is part of the spirit of rally raid.â€
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2014 DAKAR: MADE TO MEASURE!
Separate routes: covering more than 40% of the distance

For many years, the Dakar organisers have endeavoured to adapt the race route to South Americaâ€™s open terrain, enabling all categories of vehicle to explore the routes which are best suited to them. For the 2014 edition,

five special stages have been marked out on completely separate routes, with motorcycles and quad bikes on one hand and cars and trucks on the other. Overall, the â€˜separationâ€™ includes around 2,000 kilometres of timed sections, covering more than 40% of the distance.

In sporting terms, this has the double advantage of taking motorcycle and quad riders onto more technical and narrower tracks during some stages, while enabling the leaders of the car race to â€˜hit the trailâ€™ without using the tracks left by the two-wheelers.

This is also a decisive advantage in terms of safety, as separating the routes eliminates all situations requiring careful overtaking. The benefit is even greater given that the stages in question are essentially in the first part of the rally, when there are many vehicles on the track.

Motorcycles-quad bikes: two marathon stages

On two occasions, riders in the motorcycle and quad bike categories will embark upon marathon stages, extending over two days. With overnight accommodation in a bivouac reserved exclusively for them, the riders will not have the back-up of their assistance teams, and will have to rely on help from other competitors to make any adjustments to their vehicles. In this context, team strategies are crucial and the management of equipment is decisive, particularly in terms of wear and tear on tyres.

In total, the two marathon stages will represent 2,702km (1,228km between San Rafael and Chilecito plus 1,474km between Salta and Calama), including a special stage of 1,590km (726 km and 864 km).
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Steve · Nov 30, 2013

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtPHvkDkN2o]Revved and Ready for DAKAR 2014: MINI Seeks 3rd Title - YouTube[/ame]

MiniMotorsport.com story (from Oct):

Ready for the final pre-Dakar Test.

24 October 2014

After Orlando Terranovaâ€™s win at Rally Morocco in the MINI ALL4 Racing, the Monster Energy X-raid teamâ€™s preparations for the 2014 Dakar Rally are hotting up now.

There are two and a half months to go before the start of the 2014 Dakar Rally (5â€“18 January) and thereâ€™s a great vibe within the Monster Energy X-raid team. They have one more test to go, then the team can get stuck in to defending their title in the worldâ€™s best-known endurance rally. Following on from the recent success of Orlando Terranova, who scored an impressive victory in Rally Morocco, finishing almost ten minutes ahead of the second-placed Patrick Sireyjol of France, the team managed by Sven Quandt is scheduled to compete in the Baja Portalegre in early November, before the MINI ALL4 Racing cars are shipped to South America.

The test in Portugal is merely a formality, because there is little room left for doubt regarding the X-raid teamâ€™s might, considering all the successes they have achieved with their MINI ALL4 Racing vehicles this season. Since StÃ©phane Peterhanselâ€™s second Dakar victory for MINI back in January, the X-raid team has notched up six wins out of nine starts, as well as five second places and one third place. The MINI ALL4 Racing will be driven by the Pole Krzysztof Holowczyc in the Baja Portalegre, where the X-raid driver is in with a chance of winning the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies.

The X-raid team will soon make its pairings known for the 2014 Dakar Rally. The eleven-time Dakar winner StÃ©phane Peterhansel and his co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret are already confirmed as MINI ALL4 Racing drivers. It will then be announced how many more vehicles team principal Quandt plans to send to South America and also which drivers will join StÃ©phane and Jean-Paul in attempting to clinch the third Dakar victory in the history of the X-raid team. As was the case in the past two years, MINI Motorsport will once again be publishing update reports throughout the 2014 Dakar Rally.
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Steve · Nov 30, 2013

The trucks have always fascinated me. Here's video from a test. If you're easily bored, skip to about 1:30.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BBcoRJ2Jh8]Test Smink Machines Rallysport Dakar 2014 - YouTube[/ame]

minirab · Nov 30, 2013

The Velocity channel is starting to show some DAKAR stuff today. One

of which is the Silk Road Rally. I think it comes on at 1200 or 1300.

Stinker · Nov 30, 2013

Looking forward to the event again this year/next year.

Nathan · Dec 2, 2013

Watch Monster Energy's X-raid team member StÃ©phane Peterhansel as he scales the dunes of Morocco, speeds into the city of Erfoud and off into the desert as he prepares for the 2014 Dakar Rally in South America.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W4tfgLNSCs]Monster Energy X-raid Team Teaser for the 2014 Dakar Rally - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Dec 27, 2013

minirab · Dec 27, 2013

Anything yet on what channel will show it?

Nathan · Dec 28, 2013

Hearts pump around the globe with 2 full weeks of Dakar Rally action just days away. As 11-time Dakar Champion StÃ©phane Peterhansel takes the wheel once more, will you be cheering him to victory? Starting January 5th, don't miss a moment:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMat_q1D_UM"]MINI at DAKAR 2014: It Begins. - YouTube[/ame]

Nathan · Dec 28, 2013

StÃ©phane Peterhansel's name already appears eleven times in the Rally Dakar history books. In 2014, he has his sights set firmly on win number 12 with MINI.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu8Niir6B4A]2014 Dakar: StÃ©phane Peterhansel. - YouTube[/ame]

Nathan · Dec 28, 2013

Ten years after his first Dakar win, Nani Roma has his sights set firmly on the top step of the podium again in 2014. Armed with the MINI ALL4 Racing, he is among the favourites to triumph in South America.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcnLff_Dg2I]2014 Dakar: Nani Roma. - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Dec 28, 2013

Steve · Dec 29, 2013

minirab · Dec 30, 2013

It looks like NBC Sports will have a half hour show on the Dakar starting

on 1-6 at 5:00 pm and all the following days to the end of the rally. The

half hour is not much but better than nothing.

Steve · Dec 30, 2013

Steve · Dec 30, 2013

Looks like I missed a couple of the countdown pics. Catching up:

including my favorite from last year:

Nathan · Jan 1, 2014

To truly enjoy the two-week rally, itâ€™s best to be one of the participants, crew members or on-the-ground-spectators. Fox Sports will provide daily update coverage as it did last year. The Dakar Facebook page and YouTube channel will also be good sources for regular online updates.

Nathan · Jan 1, 2014

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJN6ex1P3A4]OFFICIAL TEASER DAKAR 2014 - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Jan 1, 2014

Metalman · Jan 1, 2014

When Dakar was Dakar....

[ame=http://youtu.be/k2thf2NwMYE]1984 Dakar - YouTube[/ame]

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