Dakar Rally 2016

[Jules G]

Happy new year folks

The Dakar 2016 Rally starts this weekend with stages in Argentina and Bolivia. The prologue is today.

http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2016/us/

Eurosport coverage in the UK will no doubt be shaky as always.



 

[Fran]

A little prologue show coming up in a few mins.

I am looking forward to it again...hope they still have the same commentator!

F

[Dirk3D_NL]

sadly the first big accident already took place....

[Fran]

Its scary some of the places you see spectators.  Its not an event for the faint hearted.

Hoping for a good outcome.

F

[mgmark]

Unfortunately not a great start, what with the accident yesterday and Stage 1 being cancelled today due to the weather.

Spectators looked to be well enough back from what should have been a relatively safe straight section (I've raced off road in far closer proximity) but speed carries a fair distance.  Accident looks like failure to control after the back end kicked up going over a hunp. Hope the injured make good recoveries.

MG Mark

[Jules G]

sadly the first big accident already took place....

Thankfully all the spectators will make a full recovery.

Piece on Eurosport last night mentions 23,000 police are deployed on the route to cover spectator safety.

Accident looks like failure to control after the back end kicked up going over a hunp.

It was the drivers first attempt at the Dakar, not sure of their motorsport pedigree.

Unfortunately not a great start, what with the accident yesterday and Stage 1 being cancelled today due to the weather.

Stage 2 modified due to the weather today.

The Super El Nino is showing it's teeth this year. Chile and Peru both cancelled their stages knowing the weather will cause havoc this year.

Jules

[mgmark]

Driver's experience looks to be quite limited - not a full time driver and 4 rallies in China.

MG Mark

[landman]

Anyone know off hand when the highlights are being transmitted?

I could Google I suppose......?

[Jules G]

Eurosport tonight was at 10.30 pm, repeated in 2 hours time. Tomorrow night I think is at 11 pm

Anyone know off hand when the highlights are being transmitted?

I could Google I suppose......?

[Jules G]

Driver's experience looks to be quite limited - not a full time driver and 4 rallies in China.

MG Mark

All the gear and no idea then

[Fran]

Its repeated the next morning at 07.30 - 08.00 .

Or you can watch all of them like I seem to be doing!!

[Jules G]

Tim or Tom Cornell being towed out of stage 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXca6vesazg

[Jules G]

Well it's over for another year 

Congratulations to all those that finished the event, the Dutchies did well winning the truck category (De Roy) and the buggy class (Tim Cornell).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wIf7-u9Tzk

Harry Hunt (GB) finished 10th in the cars, ok made easier in a X Raid Mini.

and finally Boston Big Picture have released their images, spectacular as ever

https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/bigpicture/2016/01/13/dakar-rally/zRxz2JUwIjIgtIA2neaYNK/story.html?p1=BP_SeePhotos



 

[Kristof]

and finally Boston Big Picture have released their images, spectacular as ever

https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/bigpicture/2016/01/13/dakar-rally/zRxz2JUwIjIgtIA2neaYNK/story.html?p1=BP_SeePhotos
 

Yum !
Dakar has been on my bucket list for a long time ...

[Steve Pyro]

... another classic year for the Dakar - I was glued to Eurosport as usual.
Also good to compare was MotorsTv's coverage of the Africa Eco Race (the 'classic' Dakar).