#7-Robby Gordon is racing in the Dakar Rally, the worlds most grueling and logistically challenging auto race, started Dec. 31 in Lison, Portugal and heads approximately 6,500 miles south through Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar and into Morocco. From there, the race turns rugged as the field of more than 500 vehicles makes the incredible journey through Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea and Senegal.
The car special was again made for WRC specialists: hilly tracks, slippery curves where pure driving skills were requested to grab victory. Carlos Sainz clinched his second success in a row. This time it took the Spaniard 1h3428 to cover the 115km, beating Luc Alphand by only 25. A good performance from the Frenchman who finished runner-up of last years event. Third position went to Nasser Al Attiyah, another WRC specialist (winner of the Pan- Asian championship) who seemed to have forgotten his disappointing 13th spot yesterday. The following three spots were for the Mitsubishi drivers with Masuoka fourth at 101, Roma fifth at 102 and Peterhansel sixth at 225. The title holder who again was forced to stop because of a puncture. Local hero, Carlos Sousa this time had to settle for an 8th position, over 3 off the winning pace. Robby Gordon’s time of 01:38:18 left him 3’50” off the best time of the day and gave him a 13th position in the special. Overall Gordon retained his 14th place classification and is 8’29” off the best mark set by Sainz.
Gordon’s quotes: Im on a ferry crossing over from Europe to Africa. All systems with the H3 are good. The truck is performing flawlessly. The roads on the stage today were tight and narrow. The smaller vehicles definitely have had an advantage. Stage one and two have been more like a World Rally race but thats going to change when we get to the full throttle terrain in Africa. We came to Dakar knowing this race is neither won or lost in Europe. We are gauging our performance off Stephane Peterhansel who has won this event the past two years. Right now we are a minute and forty two seconds back of him and by no means out of this race. As long as we are in touch with the leaders we are going to have a shot. Right now we are just plugging along with no real dramas.
PLUS it is Robby’s birthday today….
For more info and to keep up with Gordon, see robbygordon.com or at dakar.com. Look for daily televised reports on OLN [Outdoor Life Network] daily at 4:00pm/et.(1-2-2006)
