Dakar 2012

[Oldtony]

Dakar is underway.
Unfortunately the first day was marred by the death of an Argentine bike rider.
It is certainly the toughest, and probably the most dangerous motor sport event in the World.
Stage 1 Day 1 results
Bikes
1: Lopez
2: Coma
3: Pizolito
4: Cody
13 Despres
44: Faggotter 
110: Tarlington 
143: Davidson 
Top riders showing up already.

Cars
1: Novitsky Mini
2: Holoczyc  Mini
3: Peterhansel  Mini
4: deVilliers  Toyota Hilux
5: Gordon  Hummer
13: Roma  Mini
38: Ali-Attyah Hummer.

The minis are looking good at the start. I think those East European blokes are possibly a surprise though. Maybe they learned in trucks.
Ali-Attyah had to be towed out of the stage by Robbie Gordon with low oil pressure. Not a confidence boost on day One.

In the trucks the new look MANs seem to be going well. Not a KAMAZ in the top 6 (yet!)
On SBS later today.

[bpratt]

The Dakar has always had the reputation for being the toughest and most dangerous of the lot, and even though in a different country things are much the same as always. All entrants go in there with the knowledge of how tough it is.


Those Mini's are amazing to have so many up there at the front. It's not what most would expect from a Mini, but then again they ain't not stock standard off the floor Mini's either ! 

[Ian G.]

No Bruce Garland this year,that back injury last year must have been fairly serious.

[Ian G.]

..  from a post on another Forum..

"French biker Sebastien Coue has been found in the dunes with a body temperature of 40°C. He's been transported to a hospital and put into coma.

Quinn Cody(USA) is out too, after breaking his collarbone and suspected skull trauma.

On monday, biker Bruno Da Costa(France) hit a cow while Sergio Cerdera(Argentina) hit a horse. Cerdera was put to a hospital, but with only small injuries left it again to take part in the next stage.

Da Costa wasn't as lucky, he apparently has inner hematoma and a spine fracture.

Another biker, Manuell Jamett from Peru had to give up after he broke his toes while Mariano Lorenzetti(Italy) had to give up as a truck ran over his bike. He said he sold his appartment to take part in the Dakar.

Already on sunday, an ultra-light plane crashed down, the 37-year old pilot and his 11-year old son died in the crash, they were watching the rally from above.

With this, the Rally Dakar has claimed the life of 60 people since 1979." 
   
I love Motor sport but the Dakar is off my 'Bucket' List.

[Mothers Worry]

Unfortunately I've missed the SBS daily highlights package so far............... hope I can catch them tonight.