2010 Dakar Rally
There's a few Rally Raid / Dakar fans here so its probably time to start thinking about the next event, especially now that it is just a few days away now.
Numbers are expected to be higher this next event, with locals from Argentina and Chile swelling numbers in the bikes / ATV sections. A total of 200 bikers will be expected at the start in Buenos Aires on the 1st of January in both classes.
In cars, an impressive field with close to 150 cars is anticipated, in which the elite drivers will all have found a place. In the sand of the Atacama Desert, the battle promises to be fierce between De Villiers, Sainz, Al Attiyah, Gordon, Peterhansel or the likes of Chicherit.
Born in Africa where its legend was created, the Dakar is by nature attracted towards the unknown. The discovery of territories, one of the event’s reasons to be, and of course the modern day security risk of terrorists has pushed the Dakar to head to new directions for 2009. The Sahara fascinated the competitors for nearly 30 years and in the future will, once again, no doubt become a regular meeting point. For now, it is the conquest of other continents that the Dakar seeks with the desire to surprise intact. The Dakar has always been an international nomad event, so be it North Africa or South America, there is always a challenge to traverse it. They all have the desire to explore the deserts, mountains and natural challenges of the world.
More than a simple motor race, the Dakar requires off-road navigation capabilities and rock-solid consistency. In rally-raid, endurance is key, and the least mistake can be costly. This mix of physical rigour and technical performance has been an attraction for champions from diverse horizons for nearly 30 years, all of whom desire to measure themselves and learn about this unique event.
Former WRC world champion, Ari Vatanen found the winning formula; 4 times. Stéphane Peterhansel, who tried his hand at all sorts of exceptional challenges early in his career and world enduro champion, became the uncontested expert of the event; Cyril Despres has stepped onto the top step of the podium; world ski champion, Luc Alphand was a fast learner of the desert; American NASCAR stand out, Robby Gordon, the king of ice racing in another life, WTCC champion Yvan Muller, WRC Champion Carlos Sainz or Guerlain Chicherit have also turned towards the ultimate goal: win the Dakar. It attracts champions of all walks and categories.
HISTORY OF THE DAKARhttp://www.dakar.com/2009/DAK/presentation/docs/histo_1979_2007_us.pdf
TIMETABLERegistrations and entries closed on November 1st.
*25th and 26th of November 2009
Shipping of the vehicles from le Havre
*28th and 29th of December 2009
Unloading of the vehicles from Le Havre
*December 30th and 31st 2009
Administrative & technical scrutineering in Buenos Aires
This year, the scrutineering will be held exclusively in Buenos Aires
*January 1st 2010
Briefing and start podium
*January 1st 2010 at night
First bivouac in Buenos Aires province
*January 2nd to 16th 2010
Dakar Rally in Argentina and Chile
*January 9th 2010
Rest day in Antofagasta
*January 17th 2010
Podium finish in Buenos Aires
The following from Dakar.comThe tracks discovered in Argentina and Chile during the 2009 edition represent for the teams of the rally an invitation to continue the exploration. On a sporting point of view, the potential of these territories offers exalting perspectives: by exploring new areas, the 2010 Dakar will offer an intense and renewed challenge. The experience of the first edition in South America having shown some restraints in terms of terrain, several changes have been planned in order to ensure security and equity between the competitors.
More sand
The dune crossings and off-track navigation are part of the essential elements of rally raid. It is in these key domains that are evaluated the technical capacities of the competitors: in the sand, the performance is also a story of finesse and strategy. During the 2009 edition, the drivers and riders were already able to test themselves on different types of sand. They will have even more dune crossings in 2010.
On equal terms
The two countries that welcome the Dakar present complementary characteristics with enough variety to authorise different types of piloting to be expressed. The course planned for the 2010 race was designed with the will to spread equally the stages and difficulties between Argentina and Chile. The mileage, both in special and liaison, will be more or less the same from one side to the other of the Andes.
The selection of bikers
Like each year, the registration files will be very carefully examined. Several new measures will be introduced in the selection for the 2010 edition. Indeed, the riders will for example have to have taken part in a rally of the FIM World championship or to a Dakar Series event of the last three years.
Doubled routes
It sometimes occurs that the race configuration makes it difficult to mix different classes of vehicles. Each time the reconnaissance team judges that it is possible and necessary, different routes will be planned in order to limit risks. These devices will also allow taking bikers in more technical portions where they will be able to show their specific aptitudes.
A race for each
Again with the goal to fluidify the progression of the race vehicles, the starting times will be widened between the different types of vehicles. Thus, the first car will take off long after the last bike and the trucks will systemically take off after the last car.
Some Rule changes.
This year, the organisers of the Dakar have decided to balance the sporting aspect by changing the technical regulations in the car and bike classes. Some petrol vehicles will benefit from an aid that will allow them to reduce the gap that grew with the diesel technologies that have been dominating the debates. On two wheels, the decision to build for the 2011 horizon a field only for bikes of maximum 450cc will allow to level all bikers. This measure will partly be effective for 2010.
Bikes: on equal terms
For several years, more and more of the top bikers have won specials or finished in the leading ten overall positions using under 450cc bikes. At the same time, the smaller capacity machines have been more and more present, representing 40% of the registered riders at the start of the 2009 Dakar. Financially more accessible and more reliable than the older bikes of the previous generations and now more adapted to the demands of cross country rallies, the 450cc still have a deficit in performance that prevent them from reaching even higher ambitions. This difference will be totally erased for the 2011 Dakar during which only bikes with engines under 450cc will be accepted.
A restrictor in 2010 for the amateurs over 450cc
In order to reach this objective of levelness between competitors that will open the number of potential victory contenders, a transition measure has been taken for the 2010 Dakar. Aware of the important number of competitors already having bikes of over 450cc, the organisers have decided to accept them for this edition with the obligation to set up a restrictor reducing the power of the engine. This restrictor, conceived to limit the performance to the level of the 450cc, will be provided by the rally organisation.
The champions on 450cc in 2010
This modification aiming to support the amateur riders that want to line up at the start of the rally will not be applicable to a certain number of professionals and semi-professionals for which a list will be established later. The possible winners will therefore be forced to use as soon as 2010 a bike of under 450cc. On equal terms, they will battle it out using the qualities that define champions in the discipline: physical endurance, piloting, navigation.
Autos:
Cars powered by turbo diesel engine have taken an advantage over their rivals, and have notably built an important gap on most of the amateur crews that take on the rally. In order to reduce this margin and allow the most competitive of the lot to be part of the battle in front, the crews that have an atmospheric petrol engine (over 2 air valve/cylinder) will be authorised to increase the size of the air intake restrictor, from 32mm to 34mm.
The regulation for the turbo diesel engines remains unchanged. The professional teams registered or supported by a manufacturer will be submitted to the current T1 regulation (art 6P3).
THE ROUTEIn 2010, the Dakar will be run on an anti clockwise course, leaving and returning to Buenos Aires, but using a different route to the last event. An 8600km journey (around 5200kms of specials)throughthe Andes, the Atacama Desert and Salt lakes, plus a lot in between...... Here is a small scale map.
2009 DAKAR...Argentina-ChileRemember the 2009 Event.
This was the first time it went to South America after all the years of history on the African continent. It was the first Diesel Winner of the car division in the history of the rally, and a first win for VW who finished with a 1-2 for DeVilliers and Miller.
Carlos Sainz was the stand out leader for most of the event and who had to drop out three days from the end after his navigator was injured in an accident when they were met by a drop into a 10 foot deep ravine, not marked on their roadmaps and they ended up on the roof. The VW was still driveable, but sadly a broken shoulder was too much for the navigator to cope with and the medics transported him off in the helicopter to hospital.
Surprisingly Robby Gordon got to finish in 3rd place overall, and leading his 2WD class home, as well as being top petrol finisher behind the two diesel VWs. A great effort for Robby, particulary as he was hampered by a number of nagging breakages, including a jamming throttle and punctures. He is already planning his return, and knows what he needs to do. Great Effort and result from Robby though, and generated a huge amount interest and the fan appeal the guy gives the Dakar literally money couldn't buy.
Congratulations to all the Podium winners in each class on the first South American 'Dakar'. Summary:
CARSPos. N° Name Make Time Variation
1 305 DE VILLIERS (ZAF) VOLKSWAGEN 48:10:57 00:00:00
2 308 MILLER (USA)PITCHFORD VOLKSWAGEN 48:19:56 00:08:59
3 309 GORDON (USA)GRIDER (USA) HUMMER 49:57:12 01:46:15
BIKESPos. N° Name Make Time Variation
1 002 COMA (ESP) KTM 52:14:33 00:00:00
2 001 DESPRES (FRA) KTM 53:40:11 01:25:38
3 012 FRETIGNE (FRA) YAMAHA 53:53:29
QUADSPos. N° Name Make Time Variation
1 250 MACHACEK (CZE) YAMAHA 68:22:06 00:00:00
2 273 PATRONELLI (ARG) CAN - AM 70:56:06 02:34:00
3 262 SONIK (POL) YAMAHA 76:04:40 07:42:34
TRUCKSPos. N° Name Make Time Variation
1 506 KABIROV (RUS)BELYAEV (RUS)MOKEEV (RUS) KAMAZ 49:34:46
2 501 CHAGIN(RUS)SAVOSTIN(RUS)NIKOLAEV(RUS) KAMAZ 49:38:25 00:03:39
3 505 DE ROOY (NLD)COLSOUL (BEL)VAN MELIS (NLD)GINAF 50:34:42 00:59:56
A lot of team 1-2's in all but the Quad category, with VW getting the 1-2 in Cars, KTM in Bikes and KAMAZ in the trucks. Red Bull managed to back both the Car and Truck winners (plus a 2nd in the Bikes) to justify their massive support and investment.
Now the AUSSIES
BIKESPos. N° Name Make Time Variation
Stage:
28th 040 SCHWARZ (AUS) KTM 02:04:49 00:22:12
42nd 126 PAVEY (AUS) BMW 02:11:03 00:28:26
Overall36th 040 SCHWARZ (AUS) KTM 67:05:24 14:50:51
68th 126 PAVEY (AUS) BMW 78:20:23 26:05:50
CARSStage:
Pos. N° Name Make Time Variation
9th 362 GARLAND (AUS)SUZUKI (AUS) ISUZU 01:45:14 00:09:31
Overall:
11th 362 GARLAND (AUS)SUZUKI (AUS) ISUZU 66:43:03 18:32:06
39 337 DE GROOT (NLD)ULJEE (NLD) McRAE 96:18:46 48:07:49
40 351 LEYDS (NLD)McRAE (GBRAUS) McRAE 98:32:31 50:21:34
A great result for the Aussies, especially for Garland and Suzuki, finishing just outside the Top 10 in 11th overall in what was a Privateer effort against the might of the works teams.
A full list of finishers by category is here:
http://www.dakar.com/2009/DAK/LIVE/us/1400/classement/CGC.htmlBIGGEST HEROCar #392, Spain's ESTEVE PUJOL, a past competitor on bikes, but one who had an accident on his bike a few years ago which almost took his life, and which has left him a Paraplegic for life.
He re-entered the event this year, using a Ssangyong 4WD that had been especially modified with a sequential clutch free gearbox and a quick turn rack (about a turn lock to lock) with the wheel fitted with two additional rings similar diameter to the wheel, of which one, fitted just the pedal side of the wheel which operates the brakes, and another rim the other side of the wheel for his throttle. He gets lifted into the cab in the morning, drives the vehicle and then at the end of the day he is lifted out of the cab and carried into the service vehicle, or into his wheelchair.
Those who have been following the Dakar on TV will probably have seen him featured in a short special interview with him round about day 10, which showed him in action and showed the vehicle and his operating it.
Esteve Pujol finished the event despite a number of problems. But not last, 81st overall is a brilliant effort out of the 200+ starters in the car division. In one of the hardest stages of the event he turned in a Top 20 finish.
The ultimate inspiration to others in similar circumstances. Actually talking of others Im surprised this hasn't aroused the interest of Alex Zanardi. I would have thought it would have been right up his alley considering his BMW ties.
Robby Gordon, was a big surprise who took to the event like a fish to water in his Hummers.... a great favourite with the locals as well as the many Dakar fans around the world. Here is a great clip of a Robby Gordon style pitstop....
THE DISAPPOINTMENTS:For many it was disappointed for Carlos Sainz to not win the event, having led and dominated the event from Day 1 pretty well. But the major disappointment of the event would have to be the total lack of pace shown by the winner of the last 7 Dakars, Mitsubishi. They came to Dakar with a works team of 4 brand new vehicles, a new Diesel engine, and a load of confidence that had them confident of making it 8. They left scratching their heads with what went wrong and that putting a diesel engine in doesn't guarantee a win!
It started off bad for them and got worse, with constant breakdowns and mishaps. They were never even close to the pace, and 3 vehicles were out by half distance. They did win 1 stage, on the penultimate day, and only because the leading two VWs stopped and waited for their 3rd remaining vehicle to catch them so they could travel in convoy, I assume so VW would have a donor car with them should any component fail out in the stage for one of the leading couple. Plus every other competitor in the Top 10 seemed to suffer a problem. So the fourth Mitsubishi scored a lucky stage win, having been lucky to be their at all. The fourth one was technically out but gained a reprieve when day 12 was cancelled and that allowed them to ready the car for the following day. In the end the final Mitsubishi in came in 10th, nearly 18 hours behind the VW.
A FINAL WORD..... Did it spoil the event that it was not in Africa, a fact mentioned by many prior to the event. So did the event suffer for not being in Africa?
We saw fantastic stages, great organisation, some excellent TV work, brilliant scenery, with some stages at 4000 metres up and road sections 7000 metres up.....plus a lot of brave competitors battling it out in some of the toughest conditions we have ever seen in 30 years of the 'Dakar'.
Official event review videos on youtube....
Part 1
Part 2
Part3
Here is the website for news and latest info:
http://www.dakar.com/2010/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.htmlEntry list of well over 500 :-
http://www.dakar.com/2009/DAK/RIDERS/us/r7_6-partants.htmlNo details yet of Aussie TV coverage, chance are that it will be on SBS again.
Topic: 2010 Dakar Rally *SPOILERS* (Read 1526 times)
