The Bivouac

[skibum69]

thanks Flood, I needed that

[tehdutchie]

Originally Posted by wrk2surf

so.. Bordone is testing a TM platform at the next world championship rally round in qatar... twin spar'd

Via Manuel L's Facebook/blog
http://www.ladakar.com/2012/04/13/qa...-the-tm-450cc/

Thats the one (engine wise)have been waiting for...new frame (kinda like the ktm one) should pop up soon too.

[Emmbeedee]

I hope this is the right place to post this:

Another Dakar Summary: http://www.trucktrend.com/autoshows/...lly/index.html

Short excerpt:

"In the motorcycle class, only Ned Suesse, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, completed the grueling event in the Bike class, placing 53rd in his first attempt. Internationally known biker Jonah Street, from Ellensburg, Washington, suffered mechanical issues on Stage 2 that ended his hopes for a top finish. American motorcycle rider Quinn Cody, last year's Dakar Rookie of the Year, had a horrendous high-speed crash on Stage 3 that left him with head, collarbone, and shoulder injuries. U.S.-based biker James Embro was forced to withdraw when he was injured during the transport over the Andes in a snowstorm when he was struck in the face by a rock thrown up by a passing Dakar truck. Bike instructor Bill Conger, a neighbor of Gordon's in North Carolina, had problems from the start on his first Dakar and was knocked out on Stage 3, whereas 65-year-old Mike Stanfield, who broke his foot on his first Dakar attempt last year, was forced to call it quits again this year on Stage 5. Twenty riders quit that day alone, with the experienced riders calling it the hardest Dakar ever."

[skibum69]

Yup, this the right thread for such news

[El Cucuy]

Talked to Robby Gordon on Sunday. The entire riveting interview:

El Cucuy: Pinche Robby--what up?

Robby Gordon: Hey man, how's it going? Here ya go. [hands El Cucuy a cold Speed Energy drink]

EC: Thanks, dude.

RG: No problem.

EC: So what up with Dakar next year?

RG: We are running the same car, it is already down there.

EC: Wait...you left it in Peru? How is the prep going to work? Are you going to rent out the second ride again?

RG: [turns and starts talking to someone else about the new Speed Energy monster truck that he will be taking out to Glamis over Memorial Day Weekend]

THE END

Scintillating, I know.

[skibum69]

I've heard that about him

[Bluebull2007]

Originally Posted by El Cucuy

Talked to Robby Gordon on Sunday. The entire riveting interview:



Scintillating, I know.

Robby is pretty random it seems.

I tried to hate him but couldn't. He is simply great for the sport too.

[JMo (& piglet)]

The 2013 Dakar route has been published - get your hotel reservations in now x

http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2013/us/route.html

Looks like the 2nd half could be pretty tough!

Jx

[Deadly99]

I was thinking the first half looks tough. No Copiapo loop this year, bummer as it always seemed to be an epic. Seems like more Pacific coastal terrain (aka lower temps). Two crossings of the Andes which is cool..

Good luck Jenny, did I see somewhere that applications are due mid May?

[JMo (& piglet)]

Originally Posted by Deadly99

I was thinking the first half looks tough. No Copiapo loop this year, bummer as it always seemed to be an epic. Seems like more Pacific coastal terrain (aka lower temps). Two crossings of the Andes which is cool..

Good luck Jenny, did I see somewhere that applications are due mid May?

Yes - competitors are 'invited' to apply (together with a €6000 Euro deposit!!!) from the 15th of May... applications have to be done online...

Last year there was a huge interest in the moto/quad category, with I believe over a third of [new] applications coming form competitors from South America itself... hopefully this year they will give suitable priority to competitors from previous years, fortunately I have the entry fee itself already covered - the struggle is going to be getting the cash together for my assistance and transport costs... I'm working on those logistics at the moment, and hope to have some pretty unique swag available to coincide with the jennydakar.com website revamp and my application this year...

I'll keep you all posted!

Jx

[Brodovitch]

David Fretigne just announced that he's in for '13...

"Est ...! Si je refait le Dakar ...!"



via FB

[vander]

Better view of the "multi-tanks" of Helder's Yamaha. Is it me or the front fairing and nav is lower than usual?

[El Cucuy]

skibum/BlueBull - haha yeah he is intense but at the same time he was taking time to talk to everybody that was mobbing him. definitely cool of him. this was just at a local bmx track, to boot. not exactly a high profile event. I appreciate his DIY/grass-roots style.

[troy safari carpente]

Originally Posted by vander

Better view of the "multi-tanks" of Helder's Yamaha. Is it me or the front fairing and nav is lower than usual?

This set up definately appears to be taking the low center gravity/lower navigation tower layout/better frontal vision movement to new hieghts... (or should that be "lows"? )

I wonder how long it will be before the throngs of fashion conscious rallye paparazzi stop building their replica "eifel nav towers" and follow this new trend...?

Helder is sooooo avante garde!

[vander]

Looks more like a Baja/Rally bike with nav tower. As close to an enduro as it can be.

I like the fairing lower. Never been a fan of the high screens/fairings looks.

Slowly going back to basics? Give him a huge backpack and he's almost looking like the '85 works riders