Dakar 2014

[Jules G]

Well it's that time of year again and the 2014 motorsport season will be kicking off in a weeks time with the Dakar 2014.

All you need to know is here:

http://www.dakar.com/index_DAKus.html

All the competition cars/bikes/trucks from Europe have now arrived in Argentina along with the support vehicles.

You can also keep up to date with the event with Eurosport here:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/motorsport/dakar/

The TV coverage on Eurosport will be here:

http://tv.eurosport.co.uk/tvschedule.shtml

[Grand_Fromage]

Teaser on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMat_q1D_UM

[Kristof]

A friend is working at the team of cars #318 and #320.
First time I'll try to follow the Dakar again in a few years.  Since they left Africa I didn't care much about it anymore.

[Steve Pyro]

I shall be taking up my usual position in front of Eurosport for 2 weeks.  Hope they don't cock up the schedule due to the snooker / tiddly winks / underwater soot juggling championships yet again!

[Fran]

IHope they don't cock up the schedule due to the snooker / tiddly winks / underwater soot juggling championships yet again!

Hey - I won't hear a word against underwater soot juggling - its a damn hard sport - those guys are heroes!

F

[Jules G]

Nice article with the Race 2 recovery team in today's telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/10542238/Race2Recovery-ready-for-Dakar-Rally.html

Eurosport TV have the Road to Dakar scheduled for today @ 22:00 (30 mins) and stage 1 is on Eurosport 2 at 23:00 on Sunday (30 mins)

[Jules G]

Well done Sam Sunderland on his stage win on the bike (#18) today Stage 2. now up to 3rd overall.

http://www.teamhrc.com/

[Jules G]

RIP Eric Palante

The Belgium rider was found on the Friday stage by the broom truck. His 11th Dakar.

RIP Eric

[Jules G]

well that's the Dakar over for another year.

Nice blog on the telegraph web site about the R2R boys

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorsport/10553126/Race2Recovery-Dakar-Rally-blog-January-17.html

Well done Nani Roma for winning the event, 10 years after winning it on 2 wheels. Shame team orders with Mini played a part.

[Steve Pyro]

Well done Nani Roma for winning the event, 10 years after winning it on 2 wheels. Shame team orders with Mini played a part.

Yes, Peterhansel and Al Atiyah waiting for Roma to catch up on the last stage for an in line finish reminded me of Audi at LM.
I bet Peterhansel wished he had gone for the win - only 5 minutes gap after 2 weeks!

[Truck]

Peterhansel was ahead last time I looked 

[Jules G]

No Panic normally posts up the Boston Big Picture photo link, as he has not here it is:

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2014/01/dakar_rally_2014.html

Spectacular images as always

[Jules G]

Autosport are confirming that Peugeot will return to the Dakar Rally in 2015 At least it will spice up the Mini's domination a bit. On the downside it will mean the Eurosport coverage will be a Peugeot love in.


"Autosport confirm the French car manufacturer confirmed on Wednesday.

The car maker had been linked with the return to the event at the end of last year, just a few months after Sebastien Loeb had smashed the Pikes Peak Hill Climb record in a specially-constructed 208 T16.

Peugeot dominated the Dakar in the late 1980s, taking four straight victories in the 405 T16 with former World Rally champions Ari Vatanen and Juha Kankkunen.

The French manufacturer confirmed its return to the event with a video teaser and although it did not reveal any details about the car it will race, this week's AUTOSPORT suggests it will use a 208-based buggy.

The news was also confirmed by Red Bull, revealing the programme will be backed by the energy drinks company. French oil company Total is also involved in the project.

Peugeot said it will return to the Dakar with a "star line-up of racing greats."

The firm is scheduled to reveal more details on its programme this afternoon.

Former World Rally champion and Dakar winner Carlos Sainz, as well as Dakar legend Stephane Peterhansel are expected to be in its driver line-up."

Teaser video below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZwLlCPv-BU