Dakar 2013 - Official Event Coverage - thank you ALL TeamF5, lurkers and posters!

[knybanjo]

Originally Posted by Iron Horse

Bingham is a twat.

Hey now...we like to see a close race, do we not?

[ric678]

Originally Posted by 8340SU

but where did he find the fuel, then?

Siphoned from a spectator truck??

[hilslamer]

Originally Posted by K2vodka

Campbell was dominant in Baja with 10 or so wins and is still working for traction on Dakar. Age could make the difference. We'll see!

I don't know for sure, but I would bet that JC never had Coma teaching him navigation, either. Furthermore, there is no navigation in Baja - you get to see the course as many times as you like in the month before the race, ride it, fly over it, and even then there are thousands of coursemarkers - even retroreflective ones for nighttime in places - along with nearly infinite help along the course in places you would never expect it. Dakar has always been quite the opposite, regardless of the continent it's on.

To parallel Baja and Dakar is to liken microbrew beer from a startup garage operation to a fine wine from a centuries-old vineyard/winery. Both take passion, effort and perseverence to get right and have awesome appeal to a lot of people - but the money, experience and wisdom behind them are not really comparable. Baja has always been a speed sprint with little demand on logistics relative to Dakar...JMO, though.

Casselli has all the speed and probably the guidance through the KTM factory team to do extremely well in a Dakar, but even he admits that he's learning a lot right now. I'm super stoked for him but I think he would be happiest with a finish this year, then shoot for the top in the coming years...

[knybanjo]

Originally Posted by hilslamer

Casselli has all the speed and probably the guidance through the KTM factory team to do extremely well in a Dakar, but even he admits that he's learning a lot right now. I'm super stoked for him but I think he would be happiest with a finish this year, then shoot for the top in the coming years...

Shit mang.....the guy has won two stages 'not even trying'

[knybanjo]

Snewkah is ovah!!!

[2WDnut]

I'm told the Chinese JINCHENG's are red KTM's this year, vs the red Yamahas ( & XR250's ! ) of previous years - does anyone have any pics ? Are they full blown Rallye's or kitted EXC's ?

[catas]

Originally Posted by knybanjo

So Fuelgate was a hoax?
?

We'll never know... Unless we all see some footage

[Drif10]

Originally Posted by knybanjo

Shit mang.....the guy has won two stages 'not even trying'

Sip or two out of that jar of yours would sort him right out.

[Tork]

Originally Posted by El Cucuy

JC is 45 years old and is passing out orange slices at halftime right now w/ HRC.

In his prime, he showed up and got 8th w/o factory backing/prep.

Makes me wonder what Jonah could have achieved had he gone with a top factory team .

[michalCCR]

Originally Posted by 2WDnut

I'm told the Chinese JINCHENG's are red KTM's this year, vs the red Yamahas ( & XR250's ! ) of previous years - does anyone have any pics ? Are they full blown Rallye's or kitted EXC's ?

Hope this picture helps.

[rmhrc628]

Originally Posted by 8340SU

neither jc or pizzolito stopped to give helder some fuel as pizzolito did the last time. So there's maybe some true in it. As
Katsumi Yamazaki put it
"It’s a pity but Dakar may be like this.”

Do you honestly think there would not have been be a planning meeting whereby 'faults' are discussed and solutions provided ?


Surely a top ten faults list would exist so that in the event of a 'stick' the solution is worked out fast

[Cuttle]

Originally Posted by knybanjo

Snewkah is ovah!!!

bad timing: wedge


only Banjo will know what that means

[rmhrc628]

Originally Posted by michalCCR

Hope this picture helps.

Maybe HRC could learn from CRC about fuel capacity at least.

[Myway]

http://chunk-output-1.live.tv-radio.com/canalplus/android/index/1040/02.m3u8

this works here.

[ric678]

My n00b perspective of the race so far,
First off these guys and gals are amazing to run as hard as they do but just following a road book is incredible! I have learned alot about the Dakar and how it's run these past days, At the first stoppage for rain I was a bit perplexed at first I thought was about running these stages and dealing with whatever happened, after seeing the flooding footage realized it was the proper thing to do, Running the race in these areas I don't think they could find ways to make the course go over bridges so I think that was the proper thing to do don't need to risk lives anymore then they already do.
I also think the ASO should do a better job with timing and scoring to keep the newbies from getting bored and moving on to something else.
The riders at the back half the field dealing with all there problems have got to be some of the most dedicated competitors in the world, to deal with all the issues on track, lack of sleep because you're late in, bumps and bruises from crashes, then get up and go again!! Just incredible job they are doing!!

just some blather