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

[Deadly99]

Originally Posted by Bluebull2007

Or become very good at google earth

[frostyuk]

Originally Posted by Brodovitch

I think Kemal did just that one year...

didnt pavey do that last year?

i understood that:

marathon was you couldnt change any major component i.e. engine, forks, swing arm

malle moto you have to do your own mechanicing in the malle moto area, you can take what you want and even have other teams carry your stuff for you if you cant get it all in the trunks as long as only you mechanic it and do it in the appropriate area of the bivouac

[Bluebull2007]

Originally Posted by Brodovitch

these last kms seem to be on piste dirt roads, so the boys up front should be fine with the navigation

I wonder if Cyril will feel threatened by Chaleco heading into tomorrow

I dont think so, He will just tail him all the way...

Now is the time to hope mechanicals dont bite...

[tserts]

Chaleco is pulling from Barreda, he wants to win this, but I don't think Caselli will allow him...

[Deadly99]

Originally Posted by frostyuk

didnt pavey do that last year?

i understood that:

marathon was you couldnt change any major component i.e. engine, forks, swing arm

malle moto you have to do your own mechanicing in the malle moto area, you can take what you want and even have other teams carry your stuff for you if you cant get it all in the trunks as long as only you mechanic it and do it in the appropriate area of the bivouac

I am often wrong...so not gospel just web chatting...I think you are supposed to (and I say supposed to ) only have the two trunks along with wheels

[silentwolf]

Originally Posted by JMo (& piglet)

From what I've been able to find out, it seems his support truck failed early on in the rally, and he decided to withdraw to help the rest of his team continue (Franco usually has a service team and provides additional service to other riders):

http://www.automoto.it/news/dakar-20...nco-picco.html

rough translation:

Franco Picco, the time has come of retirement ...
Franco Picco: ' this is a simple, logical and just. Our assistance truck has failed even before Calama and we discovered that the spare parts needed to repair it is not in South America. Not only there can be of no help, not only delivers more mechanics, spare parts and the "baggage" of all, especially pilots, but we must also think about how to "deliver" in Santiago, for boarding and return it in Europe '.

"Our pilots, even those retired, are in San Miguel de Tucuman, and only I know the language and I have contacts in Argentina and Chile, because I organize my Tour for clients, to organize assistance, say, to allow Fabio Mauri continuing. I can't make calls from moto or send a fax, and the night bivouac would little thing or not enough to ensure that the "service". Here the decision is logical: I organized the expedition and I have a duty to attend my "soldiers". That's why I decided to retire, to undress the pilot and pursue exclusively as Team Manager.

Spike chose logically to retreat to help better his team riders

Jx

What a pro... and a gent.

[Brodovitch]

Originally Posted by frostyuk

didnt pavey do that last year?

i understood that:

marathon was you couldnt change any major component i.e. engine, forks, swing arm

malle moto you have to do your own mechanicing in the malle moto area, you can take what you want and even have other teams carry your stuff for you if you cant get it all in the trunks as long as only you mechanic it and do it in the appropriate area of the bivouac

Si raced 2 years ago, was absent in 2012, but maybe he did it in '11?

[XSpearsX]

Originally Posted by Resist

Yeah, but if they call her their media officer she should find it is only about $US4000. I never can remember what the full fee is because I had that part of it covered by the company.

We'll look into that. Support crew fee was much higher.

[bluesurf]

Originally Posted by Bluebull2007

Now is the time to hope mechanicals dont bite...

This ^^^

[silentwolf]

Originally Posted by Resist

Lots of people on here ahead of me in this queue, but having gone as a journalist on the ground twice, I can tell you it's hard. Really hard. And REALLY bloody expensive.
So basically, even for something like web coverage with results, photos, video interviews and reports, you'd need two people with video accreditation, you'd be at $30,000 before you even began.

If that $30,000 should ever appear I'd like to apply for one of the positions, and I'd write a book to be printed and sold after the event. (I've written one and co-written three already but not about the Dakar).
Of course, there are plenty of people on F5 who would also love the gig and deserve it for what they put into this site already, so if you guys do get the $$ up, I think it would be great coverage. God knows I'd tune in, I'd even pay a subscription fee for it.

Thanks for the great breakdown, I'll consider your resume at IPO time

Well for starters, this is ADV right? I'm thinking travel by bike should save a few dollars. Could make for a better story right there.

I'm guess I'm thinking of kind of a a guerilla attempt at following the race, getting more interviews of the F5 type riders, not ignoring the top guys, but they already get plenty of air in comparison. Get more of a 'race to dakar' feel than wait for the ASO's feed.

Originally Posted by Smithy

And not the first time it's been suggested, but funding it is beyond most of our means.

While it would take a boatload of mugs for sure, I think it could work with the right team/strategy.


Just thinking... probably too much, but I've seen crazier things work.

Heck, I'm a crazier thing, and I work.

Well, most of the time.

I think...

[Bluebull2007]

Originally Posted by Brodovitch

Si raced 2 years ago, was absent in 2012, but maybe he did it in '11?

Are you sure? I recall Si struggling in the fiambala section with an engine last year?

[frostyuk]

Originally Posted by Bluebull2007

Are you sure? I recall Si struggling in the fiambala section with an engine last year?

it was the year he had the g450x and he changed the engine out on the stage after assistance took an engine out to him

[JMo (& piglet)]

Originally Posted by Brodovitch

I think Kemal did just that one year...

Yikes - I had to read that twice to see the part you highlighted - I thought for a moment you might have been referring to the back of the truck 450 to 530cc 'upgrade'!

Jx

[Brodovitch]

Originally Posted by silentwolf

Get more of a 'race to dakar' feel than wait for the ASO's feed.

Ted (deadly99) did just that last year. Shameless plug:

Tales From The Bivouac, Dakar 2012

[Bluebull2007]

Luis through Wp3 HE IS GOING TO FINISH THIS YEAR.....



GOOOOO LUIS!!!