Robby Gordon Wins Stage 1 Of Dakar Rally

TRL.........................You ARE the LADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I humbly bow to your advise!!!!! LOL
Gooooooooooooooooooooooo Robby!!!!!!!

Win, win, win, and hurry home so we can see you here in the good ole
U S of A!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Some of us here are using this thread to keep up with whats going on, PLEASE keep the driver bashing out and stay on topic.
Flaming another member isnt needed or wanted.
 
Thats up to you. There is no reason to tear into anyone. Fine you dont like a driver, but to just keep flaming the people who do is wrong.

Like i said, id think youd want to tell us how good the driver you like is doing.
 
Lateset update;

Stage Nine Updates

Racing in the Dakar resumed today after stage eight was cancelled. Gordon and the Red Bull team regained form after disappointments in the previous two contested stages. The No. 317 Touareg finished 3rd in the stage, propelling the Volkswagen team to 21st in the overall standing.



Robby Gordon’s Quotes from Stage Nine

“Today was the hardest stage yet. The environment is just so unpredictable. There are just so many dunes and you have to be on the gas the whole time or else you’ll get stuck. The sand is much finer, almost like a powder, than Glamis (sand dunes in Southern California) and there are so many rocks. Prior to the start of the stage the team found an issue with the right front damper which might have contributed to the crash and an off-performance during stage seven. Today we had two flats and we still finished third. We are back on our game and learning a lot. I’m definitely figuring out how to drive in these dunes. I want to finish this race and get all the experience I can so when I come back next year we’ll know what to expect.”


Stage Nine Preview
In this final stage before the rest day driving enthusiasts will here be in their element. The 300 kilometres of track will be very fast running even if the end of the stage is punctuated with difficulties. 20 kilometres from the end, competitors will find themselves at the foot of the immense and mythical Chinguetti erg. Crossing the dunes will have to be done gently, without overdoing it, in order to arrive quickly at the bivouac. As after more than a week into the race, every hour of rest will be appreciated. This stage has been traced so that amateurs can reach the bivouac as early as possible in order to enjoy the rest day.

Stage Eight
Due to weather stage eight became a non-timed event
 
Sounds like he's gaining confidence with every mile.

From where he was a couple of days ago, to come back and finish 3rd in the stage is a huge accomplishment.

Thanks for the update, Eagle.
 
Todays update from Robby's site;

Volkswagen draw positive balance on ‘Dakar’ rest day
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Posted on Jan 9, 2005, 23:05




Wolfsburg (9th January 2005). Jutta Kleinschmidt third overall, two stage victories, temporary lead for Robby Gordon and Bruno Saby, all four Race-Touareg prototypes still in the competition – Volkswagen can be justifiably satisfied with the results so far coming into the Dakar Rally’s rest day in Atar, Mauritania.

Before the final week of this year's desert classic, in which 2,880 special stage kilometres, or better said, almost three-fifths of the classified distance still remain before the chequered flag is taken in Senegal on 16th January, a top finish is within the grasp of German Volkswagen works driver Jutta Kleinschmidt and her Italian co-driver Fabrizia Pons. With the Race-Touareg, powered by a 260 PS 2.5-litre five-cylinder TDI diesel engine, the speedy female duo improved their position from ninth to third after arriving in Africa on 2nd January, and which they have successfully defended since the sixth stage on Wednesday. Under the most gruelling conditions, such as in the sandstorm during the marathon-stage on Thursday, the German ‘Dakar' winner from 2001 called on her huge experience and comprehensive desert knowledge to safeguard her chances with a controlled drive.

New signing Robby Gordon attracts attention wherever he goes. The US-American NASCAR Series star won the first and fourth stages with his German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz and proved his prowess in the desert with, for example, third position on the ninth day. On the sixth stage, 36-year old Gordon barrel-rolled but remained, just as his co-driver, uninjured and could continue in the competition after loosing a few hours. Just as Gordon, who headed up the leader board during the first two days and also on the fourth day, Bruno Saby, with his French compatriot Michel Périn, took the overall lead but was struck by a bout of bad luck at the end of the first real desert stage a day later, and lost a lot of time when he landed heavily after a jump and when he got bogged down. Saby/Périn in ninth place do however still hold a position in the top ten. The Finns Juha Kankkunen and Juha Repo lost their chances on the seventh stage when they severely damaged the Race-Touareg's suspension in tricky camel grass and lost 15 hours.

All four Race-Touareg prototypes have impressed till now through their incredible robustness and reliability and are, as before, still in the competition – all this by a retirement rate of 48 percent in the field. During the remaining week of the rally, Kankkunen will, as he did on the ninth stage, support Saby, while Robby Gordon assists Jutta Kleinschmidt. As a result, the Volkswagen team led by Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen is well equipped for the last seven stages.


Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)
"We are satisfied as we have held the lead on three occasions, twice with Robby Gordon, and then with Bruno Saby. Robby's accident demonstrated just how sturdy the Race-Touareg is. All four cars are still in the competition. The event is very well organised, the start in Barcelona was fabulous. The rally will stay exciting till the finish.”

#310 – Jutta Kleinschmidt (D), 3rd position overall
"I'm happy that our Race-Touareg has run perfectly till now. We haven't had a single technical failure. The entire team is working brilliantly. Nevertheless, we still haven't completed half of the rally, and the tough stages are still to come. The trek around Atar on Monday will be particularly hard.”

#307 – Bruno Saby (F), 9th position overall
"After one week, I can say that I'm pleased with things. Up till now the rally has been very good for Volkswagen. The marque has shown that they will win one day. The Race-Touareg is excellent, the team also. The team has improved considerably since last year. Our goal is to finish as high as possible and to develop the car more.”

#317 – Robby Gordon (USA), 21st position overall
"The rally started very well. However, we pushed a little too hard, had the accident and got bogged down later and damaged the clutch as result. The Dakar is the hardest competition of my career. I'd like to win a few more stages and finish in the top 15 overall. And I want to win next year.”

#313 – Juha Kankkunen (FIN), 42nd position overall
"In 1988 during my first Dakar twice the distance was covered, but the rally was nowhere near as hard and demanding as this year. We drove for ages in complete darkness during the marathon-stage on Thursday. At that time the rally was organised so that even the privateers could finish the stage during the day,”

Standings after leg 9, Tidjikja (MR) – Atar (MR); 361/399 km stage 7/total

Pos., Team, Vehicle, Leg 9, Total time
1. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (F/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 4:54.10 hrs. (2.), 22:45.57 hrs.
2. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 4:52.39 hrs. (1.) + 20.01 min.
3. Jutta Kleinschmidt/Fabrizia Pons (D/I), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 5:11.52 hrs. (4.) + 40.26 min.
4. Carlos Sousa/Thierry Delli-Zotti (P/F), Nissan Pick-up, 5:40.40 hrs. (8.) + 2:39.19 hrs.
5. Giniel de Villiers/Jean-Marie Lurquin (ZA/B), Nissan Pick-up, 5:23.16 hrs. (7.) + 3:03.02 hrs.
6. Hiroshi Masuoka/Andreas Schulz (J/D), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 5:16.29 hrs. (5.) + 3:52.19 hrs.
7. Stéphane Henrard/Antonia de Roissard (B/F), Buggy Volkswagen, 6:02.20 hrs. (12.) + 3:56.01 hrs.
8. Nani Roma/Henri Magne (E/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 8:45.03 hrs. (63.) + 6:20.00 hrs.
9. Bruno Saby/Michel Périn (F/F), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 7:53.22 hrs. (49.) + 6:53.22 hrs.
10. Thierry Magnaldi/Jean-Paul Forthomme (F/B), Buggy Honda, 5:41.40 hrs. (9.) + 6:59.48 hrs.
21. Robby Gordon/Dirk von Zitzewitz (USA/D), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 5:10.08 hrs. (3.) + 12:04.11 hrs.
42. Juha Kankkunen/Juha Repo (FIN/FIN), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 7:05.48 hrs. (27.) + 18:55.24 hrs
 
Newest Update from Robby's site;

Stage 10: Team Gordon
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Posted on Jan 10, 2005, 13:41



Wolfsburg (10th January 2005). Volkswagen works driver Jutta Kleinschmidt in third place for sixth successive day: The speedy German lady took third overall in the Dakar Rally on 5th January and defended this position again on Monday on the demanding tenth stage in Mauritania. On the loop with its start and finish in Atar, containing countless dune crossings, as well as passes, camel grass and a Chott (a dry lake), Kleinschmidt and co-driver Fabrizia Pons again finished third on the day, just as they had on the fifth and seventh stages. Robby Gordon came home again in the leading group in fourth place with his German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz in another Race-Touareg. Team colleague Bruno Saby, previously ninth overall, lost some time due to a small problem with the gear shift mechanism at the beginning of the 483 kilometre stage. Juha Kankkunen, the fourth Volkswagen works driver, helped the Frenchman to repair the damage.

Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)
"Jutta drove well and maintained her excellent overall position on yet another punishing stage. Our strategy paid off completely: Robby follows Jutta, to be in a position to offer support immediately. So he helped her today when she got bogged down. At the same time Juha is Bruno’s wingman – this also paid off today when there was a small problem with the gear shift.”

#310 – Jutta Kleinschmidt (D), 3rd place (leg) / 3rd position overall
"I survived the loop well and am satisfied to be third still. Thanks to Robby’s assistance we lost around five minutes less than we would have normally needed to dig ourselves out of the sand. At the same time I let the tyre pressure down a little, which was an advantage in the soft dunes later. Towards the end we lost our bearings briefly and lost the way and ended up driving for about 20 kilometres off the normal track.”

#317 – Robby Gordon (USA), 4th place (leg)
"Finishing fourth is a good result – particularly as we stopped repeatedly today. We spent about five minutes at the scene of Grégoire de Mevius’ accident, later we helped Jutta after she had got bogged down. Dirk’s navigation was again excellent, although there were several tough calls in the first third of the roadbook.”

From the Volkswagen bivouac

- Sunday peace: The Volkswagen works drivers used yesterday’s Dakar Rally rest day for PR activities. Jutta Kleinschmidt and Dirk von Zitzewitz gave interviews for German TV stations. Kankkunen’s co-driver Juha Repo spent the day relaxing in the hotel. All the drivers sorted out their luggage and shook out the sand before the rally’s second half.

- Gordon in racing stress: The American racing season starts for Volkswagen works driver Robby Gordon just a few days after the finish of the Dakar Rally. "I’ll drive races on 36 weekends”, says the circuit racing pro, who competes with his own team in the American NASCAR series. His first test: 18th and 19th January in Daytona – so only two days after arriving at the finish of the Dakar Rally.

Three questions to Volkswagen mechanic Martin Hassenpflug

At 24 years of age you are one of the youngest team members and ‘Dakar’ Rookie. What experiences have you made at this, the half-way point?
"The teamwork is very good. However, the atmosphere is totally different to that found at the circuit, where I worked previously. I had already settled in well during the tests in Morocco and at the UAE Desert Challenge.”

What is new for you?
"The length of the rally is new. The days are also long because we spend many hours in the Service-Truck and often work long into the evening. I have no problems camping in the bivouac – quite the opposite actually as it is good fun.”

What is so fascinating about the ‘Dakar’?
"We also see the many privateers, who save for a whole year for this rally and with hardly any equipment, but masses of enthusiasm fight through the desert.”

Standings after leg 10, Atar (MR) – Atar (MR); 483/499 km stage 8/total

Pos., Team, Vehicle, Leg 10, Total time
1. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (F/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 5:22.58 hrs. (1.), 28:08.55 hrs.
2. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 5:24.25 hrs. (2.) + 21.28 min.
3. Jutta Kleinschmidt/Fabrizia Pons (D/I), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 5:53.17 hrs. (3.) + 1:10.45 hrs.
4. Giniel de Villiers/Jean-Marie Lurquin (ZA/B), Nissan Pick-up, 6:12.52 hrs. (6.) + 3:52.56 hrs.
Bruno Saby/Michel Périn (F/F), Volkswagen Race-Touareg
Robby Gordon/Dirk von Zitzewitz (USA/D), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 6:00.52 hrs. (4.) + 12:42.05 hrs.
Juha Kankkunen/Juha Repo (FIN/FIN), Volkswagen Race-Touareg
 
thanks Eagle1 What a beauiful place to drive thru! And how I would hate to live there.. The donkey carriage thingy is something to see. I copied it. Hope you don't mind.
Betsy
 
From the VW site; http://www.volkswagen-motorsport.de/vw-motorsport/race-touareg-eng/


Looks like Robby has moved up to 11th overall after the 10th stage!
Standings after leg 10, Atar (MR) – Atar (MR); 483/499 km stage 8/total



Pos., Team, Vehicle, Leg 10, Total time

1. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (F/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 5:22.58 hrs. (1.), 28:08.55 hrs.



2. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 5:24.25 hrs. (2.) + 21.28 min.



3. Jutta Kleinschmidt/Fabrizia Pons (D/I), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 5:53.17 hrs. (3.) + 1:10.45 hrs.



4. Giniel de Villiers/Jean-Marie Lurquin (ZA/B), Nissan Pick-up, 6:12.52 hrs. (6.) + 3:52.56 hrs.



5. Hiroshi Masuoka/Andreas Schulz (J/D), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 8:17.58 hrs. (25.) + 6:47.19 hrs.



6. Nani Roma/Henri Magne (E/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 6:41.52 hrs. (8.) + 7:38.54 hrs.



7. Bruno Saby/Michel Périn (F/F), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 6:51.14 hrs. (10.) + 8:21.38 hrs.



8. Thierry Magnaldi/Jean-Paul Forthomme (F/B), Buggy Honda, 7:57.25 hrs. (17.) + 9:34.15 hrs.



9. Jun Mitsuhashi/Sylvain Poncet (J/F), Nissan Terrano, 8:06.42 hrs. (20.) + 10:34.47 hrs.



10. Jose Luis Monterde/Rafael Tornabell (E/E), BMW X5, 7:14.50 hrs. (12.) + 10:56.24 hrs.



11. Robby Gordon/Dirk von Zitzewitz (USA/D), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 6:00.52 hrs. (4.) + 12:42.05 hrs.



Juha Kankkunen/Juha Repo (FIN/FIN), Volkswagen Race-Touareg
 
Off the DAKAR site;

The race goes on…


In terribly sad conditions after the news from the previous days, the Telefonica Dakar 2005 rally carried on its road to the Lac Rose, entering its fourth country, Mali. No bike race today but an air lift to Bamako for the shocked bikers while the cars and trucks took off with a black scarf on their rear view mirrors in homage to Meoni. The special was won by Giniel De Villiers.

Traditionally, when the Dakar enters Mali, it often appears like the last step to Promised Land, a new phase and a first taste of the upcoming finish line in Dakar. The first kilometres in black Africa today were however very painful. On the race course for the cars and trucks or in the planes taking the bikers, devastated after the terrible news from the previous days. Indeed the riders had requested not to compete on the day's long 819km stage. A painful day for everyone on the Dakar!But despite the terrible absence of Fabrizio Meoni on this 12th stage, the race went on, exactly like the Italian would have wanted it to. The bikers gathered on the tarmac of the Bamako airport were indeed well aware of that.

The car race took of under the cloudy skies of Mauritania and the conditions remained the same all the way to the Mali capital. Comfortably in the leading two places of the overall, the Mitsubishi vehicles of Peterhansel and Alphand started nice and easily, going full speed when necessary and eventually catching and passing their closest rival Jutta Kleinschmidt (VW) who had taken off in first spot of the special. But the fastest on the sandy portion to CP1 (km 151) was Giniel De Villiers (fifth to start in his Nissan Pickup) with a tiny 4" advantage on 'Peter'. The South African carried on his fast rhythm, adding precious time to his advance (1'55 on Saby and 3'42 on Peterhansel).

At CP3, he had done even better, flying to his first win on this 27th edition (Nissans third after the two won by McRae). De Villiers crossed the finish line with a 3'01 lead on Stephane Peterhansel and 6'27 on Luc Alphand.Already a winner of the Castellon stage last year, the Nissan driver remains well over 4h adrift, while Jutta Kleinschmidt who had to deal with a problem on rear wheels finished the stage over 13' adrift is still third overall but now has a 1h18 deficit on the race leader Stephane Peterhansel.

Meanwhile, it was a tough day for Robby Gordon (VW) who damaged his shock absorbers after only 100kms and lost over 2h30 on the day. Josep Maria Servia also had a fright when he hit a tree at km 511 (not the slightest injury) and had to ask for the assistance of another competitor to help him get back on the special.
 
Thanks eagle1, this has to be one of the more interesting races in existence.
 
I sure agree with ya there TRL.

I find myself anxious to get to Robby's board every morning to see how things are going.
 
Todays report;

Wolfsburg (13th January 2005). Volkswagen staked their claim for two finishes at the head of the leaderboard three days before the end of the Dakar Rally: Jutta Kleinschmidt and co-driver Fabrizia Pons remain unchallenged in third place overall in the world’s toughest desert rally after the 370 kilometre stage from Bamako to Kayes in Mali. The speedy female duo completed the second section of the 1487 kilometre long marathon-stage after setting the day’s sixth fastest time in the Race-Touareg. Together with Michel Périn, team colleague Bruno Saby defended fifth place overall, which he had taken the previous day, after finishing tenth on the tight, twisty and dusty laterite stage, which ran through partially inhabited areas. The third Race-Touareg, powered by a 260 PS TDI turbo diesel engine as well, scored a good result, too: US-American Dakar debutant Robby Gordon and co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz jumped one position in the overall standings to eleventh, despite starting from an unfortunate 47th position and having to overtake 21 cars and numerous motorcycles along the bush tracks in south west Mali.

Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)
"The greatest praise must go to the Race-Truck team today, which had worked day and night. The service team had things easier on the marathon-stage, as they didn’t have to go to Bamako and could take a well-deserved rest in Kayes. We followed a strategy today to ensure that Jutta and Bruno got through the stage safely. Following his loss of time on Wednesday, Robby was told to push for a good time. As a result he has secured a better starting slot for the next stage.”

#310 – Jutta Kleinschmidt (D), 6th place (leg) / 3rd position overall
"Along a tarmac section just before CP1 we were able to overtake Carlos Sousa, I was really happy. Unfortunately a little later the front left tyre failed and he was able to overtake us again. The navigation was relatively simple when compared to the first part of the marathon-stage.”

#307 – Bruno Saby (F), 10th place (leg) / 5th position overall
"Another trouble free stage. We drove the entire day behind Jutta. The laterite tracks were fast and bumpy, and because of the many potholes they were quite dangerous. We are satisfied with tenth position on the stage. Michel Périn and I want to defend fifth place over the course of the final stages.”

#317 – Robby Gordon (USA), 16th place (leg) / 11th position overall
"A gruelling day! Dust, dust and even more dust when overtaking. We couldn’t loosen the wheel nuts immediately when we had to change a tyre after damage to the rear right quarter. That’s why it’s an even better feeling to have improved one place overall.”

From the Volkswagen bivouac

- Night shift: While the service team has been able to relax since Wednesday in Kayes, the Race-Truck teams had to put in some long hours on the marathon-stage. After more than twelve hours of uninterrupted driving, the two truck teams helped to change a damaged driveshaft and the rear differential on Jutta Kleinschmidt’s car in Bamako, and also prepared the cars of Bruno Saby and Robby Gordon perfectly.”

- Relaxation before the final spurt: Because of the regulations governing the marathon-stage, the Volkswagen service team drove already on Wednesday evening to the stage finish in Kayes to prepare for Thursday. There they set-up the Service-Trucks before relaxing a little and got to know local rally rates: A case of beer costs 50 Euro...

Three questions to Eduard Weidl, Technical Director Race-Touareg

How would you assess the performance of the Race-Touareg during the ‘Dakar’?
"Up till now all four cars ran perfectly. We only kept to the interval scheduled for component changes. The car is very robust; the occupants were well protected during both rolls, the passenger cells were not damaged. This was of course part of the concept.”

Three days to go and there are still three of the four Race-Touareg cars in the race...
"I was a little sad that we lost Juha Kankkunen’s car. Because we elected not to repair the car after the roll, we could concentrate more on the other three prototypes. Not only do the drivers get more exhausted towards the end of the rally but also the mechanics.”

What was the most positive discovery for you?
"The versatility of the cars was completely positive. We had expected that we would lose more time on the soft sand. More classical rally tracks, which suit us, are the order of the day till the rally ends:”

Standings after leg 13, Bamako (ML) – Kayes (ML); 370/668 km stage 11/total

Pos., Team, Vehicle, Leg 13, Total time
1. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (F/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 3:30.07 hrs. (1.), 44:35.20 hrs.
2. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 3:34.24 hrs. (2.) + 27.33 min.
3. Jutta Kleinschmidt/Fabrizia Pons (D/I), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 3:42.15 hrs. (6.) + 1:30.55 hrs.
4. Giniel de Villiers/Jean-Marie Lurquin (ZA/B), Nissan Pick-up, 3:38.06 hrs. (3.) + 4:15.32 hrs.
5. Bruno Saby/Michel Périn (F/F), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 3:46.37 hrs. (10.) + 8:59.57 hrs.
6. Nani Roma/Henri Magne (E/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 3:41.50 hrs. (5.) + 9:15.11 hrs.
7. Carlos Sousa/Thierry Delli-Zotti (P/F), Nissan Pick-up, 3:43.41 hrs. (7.) + 10:01.29 hrs.
8. Thierry Magnaldi/Jean-Paul Forthomme (F/B), Buggy Honda, 3:39.26 hrs. (4.) + 11:12.01 hrs.
9. Jose Luis Monterde/Rafael Tornabell (E/E), BMW X5, 3:45.04 hrs. (8.) + 13:15.02 hrs.
10. Ramon Dalmau/Enric Oller (E/E), Tot Curses, 4:20.33 hrs. (23.) + 18:05.22 hrs.
11. Robby Gordon/Dirk von Zitzewitz (USA/D), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 4:01.51 hrs. (16.) + 18:27.48 hrs.
 
I found this to be real interesting and enlightening, something that most of us fans wouldn't even think about.

Comprehensive health support for the Volkswagen team
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Posted on Jan 14, 2005, 08:25




Wolfsburg (14th January 2005) Winter in Europe, sandstorm in the desert, extreme physical exertion in Africa – the Volkswagen works team made painstaking medical preparations for the 2005 Dakar Rally, to provide the works drivers Robby Gordon/Dirk von Zitzewitz, Jutta Kleinschmidt/Fabrizia Pons, Juha Kankkunen/Juha Repo and Bruno Saby/Michel Périn and the entire team with best possible the care.

For Doctor Sonja Witten and physiotherapist Stefan Haag from the Bad Nauheim Sports Clinic, who accompany Volkswagen during cross country rallies, this particular motorsport discipline means that the imponderable daily grind is partially filled with exotic challenges which have very little in common with clinical or outpatient care.

Thorough prophylaxis: Prevention is better than cure

The fields of prophylaxis, therapy for standard cases, emergency medical care and the treatment of existing illnesses are included within the scope of Sonja Witten's duties. "In addition to the country specific precautions, I talk to the team members individually when the circumstances dictate. Also, I can always by found in the Service area ready to answer questions about hygiene”, says the 33-year old doctor.

Of huge importance are the daily drinking habits of all team members. "I have learnt to check that the sealed caps are intact because in some regions the bottles are simply refilled with tap water by the stores instead of pure water", reports the doctor. She calculates each person requires three to four litres of water per day. The drivers and co-drivers receive specially mixed electrolyte drinks, produced by the Institute of Sport Nutrition in Bad Nauheim. Four different types in three different flavours are available for the drink bottles in the ****pit and the "CamelBak” element in the Volkswagen Race-Touareg prototype's rear section. "The drinks are specially prepared for the demands of motorsport”, explains Stefan Haag. ****tails with high amino acid content serve to accelerate regeneration after a stage. Electrolyte rich mixtures help to compensate for the loss of fluid. "Ideally the drivers should drink five to six litres per day in order to make up for the losses”, stresses Stefan Haag.

Hygiene and inoculation: Defence against everyday tropical dangers

In this type of sport another important detail governs the handling of fluids. "Bacteria in the mouth increase to such an extent in high temperatures that the swapping of bottles between one another is strictly forbidden and every team member should have emptied their bottles within three to four hours”, states Sonja Witten. A second important role emerges as a result: It is not only medical skills, but also psychological skills that the doctor requires. During such a long rally as the ‘Dakar', many people spend more than two weeks in very close contact with their colleagues. "I spend a considerable amount of my time checking whether our recommendations are adhered to”, reports Sonja Witten. In the heat of the moment some rules are simply forgotten. "Hygiene is of extreme importance”, she warns.

Also, between 50 and 100 lip care sticks and even sun glasses and hats for the entire team long since belong to the list of basic equipment. Also in the luggage: Sun cream, insect repellent, hand cream to protect the skin from abrasive dust and paper tissues.

The nutrition of the entire team as a component of a thorough prophylaxis is of such importance that Sonja Witten and Stefan Haag take care of it themselves. "Volkswagen always takes non-perishable ready-to-serve meals with them on board the trucks that are stored in dry conditions. During the rally, the organisers hand out lunch packages, the quality of which is absolutely safe. Salad and mayonnaise are much too dangerous because of the possible germs”, states the Doctor from Siegen, who specialised in travel medicine. She also casts a wary eye over the careful selection of food for the employees. "Even the evening meal supplied by the organiser isn't always easily digestible for Central Europeans”, is her experience.

Self-evident facts such as country-specific inoculations against yellow fever, the respiratory illness diphtheria, different forms of the liver inflammation hepatitis, poliomyelitis, the illness typhoid fever, meningococcal-meningitis or rabies are on every employee's list long before starting a trip. On location, and subject to the region, precautions against mosquitoes – because of the risk of malaria for example – against the parasitic illness schistosomiasis or against diarrhoea are compulsory. Advice regarding training and nutrition for the drivers numbers among the preliminary tasks in the field of physiotherapy. "At the conclusion of a special sports programme, I recommend that the Volkswagen works drivers reduce their training two to three days before a test or rally event to prevent them from travelling in a fatigued condition”, explains Stefan Haag.

Handling of regular cases: A broad therapeutic spectrum

In addition to prophylaxis, Sonja Witten is also prepared for anything the second large medical field, the treatment of standard medical cases, throws up: Whether it be the disinfection of abrasions and treatment of burns, the immediate cooling of bruises with "Cold-Hot-Packs”, or administering fluids or electrolyte to stabilise the circulation or magnesium tablets and vitamins to prevent calf cramps. For Stefan Haag, the regular work begins with the individual requests of the drivers. "Relief of the cervical vertebrae, mobilising techniques for the shoulders and neck and regeneration massages are my primary activities”, says the physiotherapist. "I pursue two goals: To restore the maximum amount of movement possible to the strained limb or joint and to ensure that the tension is eased as much as possible, which helps to promote sleep.” Manual therapy to the shoulders, neck, arms, lumbar and chest vertebrae are also a necessity, just as foot reflex zone massage or even the application of heat. The highest loads are a result of the vertical jolts in the vehicle – an obvious difference to the predominant centrifugal forces found in circuit racing. The lumbar vertebrae are also stressed more.

Emergency medicine: Split second decisions

With emergency treatment, the medical team's work includes a third large area. "As anaesthetist I'm prepared for these tasks, which are a part of everyday life at home in the hospital”, explains Sonja Witten. While normal hospitals hospital offer the best in medical care, everyday life in cross country rallying calls for improvisation and good planning. Whether test or rally: A meeting with vaccination and tropical medicine experts prior to an event, a list of appropriate Red Cross departments, country specific health memorandums issued by the World Health Organisation WHO, embassy contacts, hospital in the surrounding area and their basic equipment, agreements with helicopter pilots and the definition of GPS coordinates for transport are the most important preparations. Sonja Witten and Stefan Haag do not only liaise with one another about the measures, in-depth consultation with Dr. Johannes Peil, the senior doctor at the Bad Nauheim Sports Clinic, always guarantees optimum care and support.

Attention to detail that pays off: The assessment of serious injuries – such as fractures – can have, in the worst case, far reaching personal consequences for those concerned and determines, when doubtful, if the person continues or retires from the event. Even snake or scorpion bites can be found on the list of eventualities. As it would be impossible to carry antiserum for the bites and stings of all animal species, the medical team concentrates on stabilising the patient until transported to the next hospital. At the Dakar Rally alone, there is a 40-strong team of doctors with mobile medical units on permanent stand-by to give additional support.

24/7: The medical team is permanently on-call

Sonja Witten's equipment is based on a standard list for emergency rescue vehicles; the generous range of provisions supplied is stored in eight large crates in a truck.

True to the Hippocratic Oath, which binds every physician to help their fellow men, not only are the team members given medical assistance but also other participants and spectators involved in accidents or suffering from illness. "During the Dakar Rally I looked after a motorbike rider who had sustained injuries on his lower leg, and in a hotel I gave a woman, who was suffering from diarrhoea, an intravenous drip before sending her to hospital.” There is never a really a moments rest during the Dakar Rally – neither for the medical team or indeed the drivers and every team member.
 
I have to say I'm ver proud of Robby for his performance in this event and his seeing the bigger picture and being such a team player.

Todays Dakar update;

COMMUNIQUE


Brazilian day on the rally


For the first kilometres on Senegal soil, the sun had reappeared on the Telefonica Dakar 2005 rally. On the day's 518km special, Jean De Azevedo conquered his very first stage success beating David Frétigne in the last kilometres of the bike race. In the car race Ari Vatanen added a 51st win to his Dakar record.

A bright sun was shining on the bivouac of Tambacounda when the first competitors of the rally made it to the finish line of the stage. A warm Senegal welcome for the 217 remaining competitors who are now only two stages away from the Lac Rose. After unexplained and terrible conditions for the main part of the event, the perfect but windy weather crowned a Brazilian in the bike race. Indeed, for the first time on two wheels, Jean De Azevedo (KTM) claimed a stage win for his country. Brazil had however won several specials thanks to André De Azevedo (brother of Jean) in the truck race. The little Brazilian on his big KTM took advantage of the last kilometres after CP3 to clinch victory beating David Frétigné by only 10". Indeed the Frenchman had been leading the race from the very start with the best times at all three check points but on his lighter Yamaha 450cc, failed to be quite as fast on the last portion where speed was key. Third on the day, like yesterday, was Chris Blais who managed another fine performance for his first appearance in the race. The American finished just 23" adrift on what proved to be the closest special so far in Africa. On the dusty and narrow paths of Senegal, Andy Caldecott looked to be heading for another fine special but a rear wheel problem at km 320 forced the Aussie to stop, repair and eventually lose over 20' on the finish line

Meanwhile, Cyril Despres, not too concerned by a stage win, took it easily and crossed the finish line with a 7' deficit on De Azevedo, losing 3'50 on his closest overall rival Marc Coma. The Frenchman keeps a 12'16 lead on Coma.

On four wheels, there was only one man to watch… His name? Ari Vatanen. After suffering various worries all along the Dakar, the Finn clinched his 51st stage success in outstanding fashion. Taking off in 9th position this morning, the four-time winner of the event flew to victory on a course suited to his driving skills and his Nissan Pickup. Vatanen overtook seven vehicles 'en route' to the win. He crossed the finish line with a 9'16 lead on his closest rival on the day, Bruno Saby while his team mate Giniel De Villiers had to settle for third spot at 11'45.The European MP could have been annoyed by another late starter Robby Gordon, second at the first two CPs (1'58 behind at CP2, km 258) but poor old Robby was forced to stop his fine effort to help out Volkswagen team mate Jutta Kleinschmidt. The German was indeed stopped at km 268 with no more steering and for team reasons, Gordon gave a helping hand and especially his steering system to keep Jutta's hopes for a third place on the podium alive… The American was then left stranded on the road waiting for the spare parts in his assistance trucks.

Meanwhile, the day went rather calmly for the Mitsubishi cars of leader Stephane Peterhansel and his team mate Luc Alphand, second overall. No risks were to be taken so close to Dakar for the Frenchmen! They therefore took off with water protections for the river crossing at CP1, stopped to get rid of them and carried on without really being concerned about the leading positions. Both finished over 20' adrift. The good news was that their comfortable overall lead was made even greater with Kleinschmidt's mechanical worries. Peterhansel now has a 26'41 lead on Alphand and well over 3 hours on the Volkswagen Race Touareg of the German driver.






NEWSFLASHES


18:01 Cars – Kleinschmidt finally finishes special


After severe steering problems during the special, Jutta Kleinschmidt (VW) eventually made it to the finish line of the stage with a 2h06 deficit on the fastest time set by Ari Vatanen. The German keeps her overall third spot, but is now 3h16 adrift. Giniel de Villiers is fourth overall at 4h06.
 
Robby drops back to 12th overall, but kept Jutta in 3rd by getting her going.

Todays report;

Volkswagen retain top position thanks to perfect team work
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Posted on Jan 14, 2005, 16:10




Wolfsburg (14th January 2005). Thanks to perfect team work Volkswagen retained third and fifth overall in the Dakar Rally two days before the finish: Bruno Saby fought his way up to second in the Race-Touareg on the 518 kilometre stage from Kayes in Mali to Tambacounda in Senegal.

As a result the Frenchman and his co-pilot Michel Périn stay fifth overall. Jutta Kleinschmidt was forced to repair the damaged steering at the 268 kilometre mark. With the help of team colleague Robby Gordon and co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz, who had started only 14 minutes later, the speedy female team swapped the damaged parts for a complete assembly from the American's Race-Touareg, who then waited for one of Volkswagen's Race-Trucks, competing in the truck category, to arrive. Thanks to this impressive piece of team work resulting in the loss of only two hours, Jutta Kleinschmidt remains third overall with only one 225-kilometre long cross country stage on Saturday remaining. The rally ends on Sunday in Dakar with a 31 kilometre long stage along the beach.

Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)
"It's completely brilliant how our teams helped each other out! Bruno offered his help, but just as soon as the extent of the damage was discovered he set off again and by finishing second today defended fifth overall. Jutta and Fabrizia remain third after having swapped the steering components in a command performance along with Robby and Dirk. Thanks must go to Robby and Dirk for the fantastic effort who were second at the second check point and therefore selflessly sacrificed a top result.”

#310 – Jutta Kleinschmidt (D), 35th place (leg) / 3rd position overall
"A gigantic thank you goes to Robby! He is an incredible mechanic and changed my steering in less than two hours. An unusual problem reared its head just after a water-splash approaching the 230 kilometre mark: The servo assistance failed, and 40 kilometres later the steering stopped working altogether. I'm happy that I'm still third overall. Now I just want to get safely to the finish.”

#307 – Bruno Saby (F), 2nd place (leg) / 5th position overall
"An exciting day! After starting tenth, I drove the first 150 kilometres in Jose Monterde's dust cloud. In the villages we always had to slow down to 50 km/h. I stopped to help Jutta; however we decided that it would be better if Robby helped her. When Carlos Sousa was involved in accident with a motorbike rider we stopped again briefly. Nevertheless, it was enough to finish second in today's quick, picturesque and bumpy stage. As a result we kept fifth position overall.”


From the Volkswagen bivouac

- Important visitor: The former Formula 1 driver and 1983 ‘Dakar' winner Jacky Ickx visited the Volkswagen works team at the stage finish in Kayes. The Belgian, who is holidaying in Africa, made a quick trip to the Dakar Rally to let Volkswagen works driver explain the Race-Touareg technology.

- Healthy squad: All 60 members of the Volkswagen works team are also still in action after 16 rally days. "There were only a few cases of diarrhoea due to the unfamiliar food”, explains team doctor Sonja Witten. "Also, a few team members caught a cold just before leaving Hanover and were unable to shake it off.”

Three questions to Volkswagen works driver Bruno Saby

You are lying fifth with a couple of days of the ‘Dakar' to go. Are you satisfied?
"Very satisfied, because the Volkswagen team has shown here that we are capable of winning not just stages but also that they can take overall victory one day. Now and then I had a huge time deficit, that's why I accepted to stay behind Jutta and help her. At the same time I'm obviously trying to defend my fifth place.”

The team has grown since last year – how good is it?
"I'm surprised about the fantastic atmosphere, as many employees didn't know the ‘Dakar' before. It is a difficult rally, not only for the drivers but also for the team as they must drive huge distances. Despite all this, there is a great sense of humour in the team.”

What did you miss the most whilst you were in the desert?
"I'm surprised every time just how well a human being can adjust to adverse conditions. The most difficult thing for me is the dust, which really gets under your skin. That's why a shower is most precious for me during the rally. When I get home, I'll treat myself to a large portion of seafood.”

Standings after leg 14, Kayes (ML) – Tambacounda (SN); 529/630 km stage 12/total

Pos., Team, Vehicle, Leg 14, Total time
1. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (F/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 5:11.03 hrs. (8.), 49:46.23 hrs.
2. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 5:10.11 hrs. (7.) + 26.41 min.
3. Jutta Kleinschmidt/Fabrizia Pons (D/I), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 6:56.25 hrs. (35.) + 3:16.17 hrs.
4. Giniel de Villiers/Jean-Marie Lurquin (ZA/B), Nissan Pick-up, 5:01.53 hrs. (3.) + 4:06.22 hrs.
5. Bruno Saby/Michel Périn (F/F), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 4:59.24 hrs. (2.) + 8:48.18 hrs.
6. Nani Roma/Henri Magne (E/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, 5:04.55 hrs. (4.) + 9:09.03 hrs.
7. Carlos Sousa/Thierry Delli-Zotti (P/F), Nissan Pick-up, 5:14.01 hrs. (10.) + 10:04.27 hrs.
8. Thierry Magnaldi/Jean-Paul Forthomme (F/B), Buggy Honda, 5:06.00 hrs. (5.) + 11:06.58 hrs.
9. Jose Luis Monterde/Rafael Tornabell (E/E), BMW X5, 5:12.38 hrs. (9.) + 13:16.37 hrs.
10. Ramon Dalmau/Enric Oller (E/E), Tot Curses, 5:54.27 hrs. (16.) + 18:48.46 hrs.
12. Robby Gordon/Dirk von Zitzewitz (USA/D), Volkswagen Race-Touareg, 7:39.03 hrs. (55.) + 20:55.48 hrs.
 
Robby finished 7th in the final stage but remained 12th overall. T
eam VW praises Robby with "brilliant team work" for removing his own steering assemby and installing it on Jutta's car to keep her on the podium.
Personally I'm very proud of Robby for the entire event, he raced great and looked at the bigger picture of the team. Finishing 12th out of over 500 vehicles to start the rally is no small thing. And he finished every mile of the event.

Way to go Robby!!!
 
I'm so proud of Robby. I had a dear friend who was one of Robby's biggest fans -- I'm sure she's smiling in Heaven. :)

12th is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Gooooooo, Robby!
 
you know TRL I thought about her too, and I know you're right. Actually RL's post about Robby really got me looking at him in a different light and once I met him I understood everything she was saying. Sure converted me! LOL
 
I look at Bobby in a different light as well. He has matured, loves to race, and his 12th was a major accompishment. :beerbang: :D :beerbang:
 
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