More Photos of Dakar Rally 2012
Index of Photos
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Dakar pictures: Start Day
More Photos of Dakar Rally 2012
Index of Photos
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TheFastCastor443 Vehicles Ready to race Dakar Rally
Nonetheless, seven quads have been removed from the category to which they were originally assigned and will not be eligible for the general classification. Due to their failure to comply with race regulations, the quads of Machacek, Laskawiec, Declerck, Sonik, Leconte, Cangani and Albinowski will be allowed to participate in the rally, but have been grouped together as "class 3". Some of them have filed complaints and may be reinstated if they are able to prove the existence of a production series for the quads which they have modified beyond the allowable extent, in a category in which "prototypes" are not allowed.
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TheFastCastorGiniel de Villiers: Almost Favourite
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TheFastCastorFavourites of Dakar Rally ready to race
Before the race starts, pilots and crews are in for an opening day full of excitement, culminating in the podium ceremony at the end of the day. At the moment, the favourites in the car category have already taken their places at the entrance of the technical scrutineering circuit. The whole X-Raid team is getting ready to visit all the stands manned by race officials.
Stéphane Peterhansel is easing into the competitor mindset in preparation for tomorrow's first special stage: "Being in Mar del Plata provides for a slightly different atmosphere during the scrutineering process. We are on the seaside and everyone is relaxed, to the point that we are still not focused on the race itself. But I hope that history will repeat itself and there will be a big crowd at the team presentation."
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TheFastCastorJeep Estanciera: The oldest car in Dakar
"La Estanciera" as defined by its owners, has a tubular chassis and suspension made in Necochea city. The roll cage was also created on the city coast. Its engine is a Ford 221 SP. And the body is fiberglass material, made in Mar del Plata. Buenos Aires city also has contributions to the project: the preparation of the motor by Julio Pardo (Villa Devoto, Buenos Aires) and electronic parts by Alberto Gonzalez (he ran in the last edition of the Dakar in January 2011) in Olivos. "This is all Made in Argentina, Argentina is equal word to motorsport passion". This it the definition of this team.
With the number 454, will race in the T1 class, a division with supercharged gasoline, 4x4 with shaft drive. The suspensions are limited by regulation to a maximum of 30 inches, as it has front and rear differential (different to other vehicles that are typical in the Dakar wich independent suspension on each wheel). Santorelli (the headmaster of the project) spoke with us and right away we noticed that he is a man who is passionate about cars, off road racing and he competed in the National Championship Safari CDA. "I accompanied a friend (Gonzalez) who ran last year. When we arrived at Arica (Chile), I decided to start working in 2012, because I saw small amateur teams, with few resources, and that encouraged me, "says the pilot who will be accompanied by Daniel Crova.
Still on the hunt for sponsors, supporting both private companies and local governments, Santorelli bases its experience in the ten years he ran the National and Provincial Safari, crossing dunes and mud all over the country. The Dakar challenge of last year allowed him to understand that it is a rush to "do not race up to 100 percent, but considering the competition as 24 hours per day, 15 days, with a great weight of the mind."
"Many of us had our first experience in a Jeep Willy 4x4, or a Jeep Estanciera (truck built in argentina and brazil only). And we believe that is possible with our vehicles, our mechanics and our few sponsors. Because I believe that somehow is a reaffirmation of national identity, we are proud. Hopefully we can do well, even a little bit."
This is the original road truck. Designed and built in Argentina between 1957 and 1970. This is an ideal truck for hard working country men, specially the pick-up version known as "Gladiator".
- How do you imagine the Dakar?
- I have 230HP on the accelerator. I think that when times comes, if i need to push the pedal, this engine is going to be there for me. We are thinki about the race all the time. For us the competition started a few months ago when we decided to participate and take the challenge of assembling the Jeep. The nicest thing is very close, we enjoy the most and in this first experience, the goal is to reach Lima.
- What about your strengths and what are your weaknesses?
- We have a very strong car, high spirits and I think a good understanding of how to "play" the Dakar. In terms of weaknesses, though costs with our own resources gives us some independence, it also means that there are things like we do not have the time, as more parts, assistance in the journey ... But we are working to try to get people to trust us and support us. Let's put all of us to celebrate the last day in Lima.
"This is made in Argentina. With our labor, our own dreams. We represent the neighborhood!. And it is a form of revaluing the old tradition of a mechanic-driver that we are losing,"says Santorelli. Authentic Argentine spirit, plus a machine driven by passion, to conquer the dunes and landscapes of the toughest part of the continent.
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TheFastCastorFriday, December 30, 2011
Marc Coma, with good feelings
"The truth is I have a good feeling and physically I am in full conditions. We expect a very demanding and tough rally, where the experience will be a very important factor." Marc Coma analyzed prior to the start of the world's toughest race.
The last winner, who denied he is "under pressure", is attending the South American event, which ends in Lima, Peru, "with the same strength and determination" in its previous editions.
So, he knows that he must "compete as usual" and only then he will have options to win. "It is clear that victory is the best reward, but we have to go step by step," he concluded.
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TheFastCastorSainz: "I regret not racing in Dakar"
"I feel a little sorry not to be there and that Volkswagen did not want to be there because, well, already had a proven engine evolution" said Sainz, while respecting the decision of the German factory to focus in the World Rally Championship.
"I am not interested to race for a private team. At this point in my life I'm not going to compete with a small team" said the driver from Madrid before adding, "I will follow the race online and on TV, I'll do that and see how it goes."
Sainz expects more open competition with the absence of VW and the incorporation of Peru.
"I'm not sure how it changes with the new route, because i know that goes to Peru but I can anticipate that there is no easy Dakar in South America, the past have been very tough. With no official teams there may be more options," he adds, but is aware that , with the departure of VW, "favorite role has taken by BMW."
In the X Raid team, with a Mini built on the old BMW X3, are two of the big boys. One, Stephane Peterhansel, the multiple champion this year sought by the tenth victory. "Stephane is, by its history in the Dakar, the favorite, but Nani Roma can be there, he has a great opportunity," said Sainz.
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TheFastCastorVolvo: Swedish dream
The Swedish brand Volvo is ready to race the 2012 Dakar edition with Pewano team, which will enroll a Volvo XC60 RR led by South African ex motorcycle rider Alfie Cox.
"The team is excited and its wonderfull to see people so passionate in Argentina for motorsport. In a race like the Dakar is logical that we have some problems, but we are calm because all the parts of the car were tested and we do not consider it to be a risky project,"said Cox, who climbed the podium three times of the legendary racing test when racing on motorcycles.
The highest aspiration is to make the podium to honor the creator of the project, Pelle Wallentheim, who died a few months. "Pelle was a cancer victim, which beat him after he finished the car. His dearest wish was that his car runs the Dakar".
On the other hand, Cox confirmed that for the Dakar edition of 2013, the idea is to have three Volvo cars.
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