Sorry if I am naive to the race but I have never heard of it. How long of a race is it, based out of australia right?

I think they used to race the MSports/ Challengers, but retired them. AFAIK I think they did quite well. I'll have to google that to be sure.

I am impressed with Robby Gordon this year. He is doing better but has had a string of bad luck with fuel problems.....there is a lot to be said about "experience" in the Dakar, that is what wins you the races not as much the technology and equipment. Robby Gordon says something along those lines in the youtube videos his team posted...good coverage by him and his team....almost better than the VS channel
Robby Gordon Dakar Vids

This year it's Lisbon, Portugal to Dakar, Senegal.

http://www.dakar.com/2007/DAK/LIVE/us/1200/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakar_Rally

Ok, those trucks are awesome, but did anybody pay attention to the music?




Its the techno re-remix of "The Final Countdown".


And its awesome.
-J <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

No problem. Most American's don't know what the Dakar Rally is. It used to be called the Paris-Dakar rally and has been in existence since 1979. This year the route is close to 5k miles (7900km) running from Portugal, through Spain, & into several countries in Northern and Western Africa, finishing in Dakar, Senegal.

This year the race is 15 days (sunday's a rest day) and on average that means 500km sections each day through mostly unforgiving terrain. There are 3 major classes (Bikes, Cars, Trucks) and within each major class multiple sub classes. You can read more about it at www.Dakar.com.

Here's a list of Truck entries from the Dakar site:
http://www.dakar.com/2007/DAK/RIDERS/us/r3_9-partants.html

I'm familiar with most of them, but the GINAF and LIAZ are new beasts to me.

If you love these monsters as much as I do, check out this site:

http://www.europatrucktrial.org/

My dream is to race those baja some day... the dakar? would be unreal....

Well Mitsu just won their 12th and 7th consecutive Dakar rally. Interestingly they didn't win a single special stage this time but were faster overall than everybody else by about 1 1/2 hours. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />
http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/motorsports/e/07dakar/report/index.html

Dangit...you beat me to it posting. I am watching it with time delay of 15 minutes or so on tivo so I dont have to watch the commercials.

Woot Woot for Mitsu <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
VW gave em a run for their money this year more than they ever have but couldnt stick with it and I think VW def will be a force to recon with next year.....so will Robby gordon who had just a few things go wrong with bad luck otherwise he woulda done much better.