N° 302 - TEAM ROBBY GORDON MOTORSPORTS
- GORDON
- Robby
- USA
- 01/02/1969
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- GRIDER
- Andy
- USA
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| |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
|
| Scratch |
6
|
11
|
12
|
1
|
4
|
17
|
24
|
10
|
12
|
9
|
7
|
5
|
8
|
7
|
| Stage |
6
|
11
|
11
|
1
|
4
|
17
|
24
|
10
|
12
|
9
|
7
|
5
|
8
|
7
|
-
|
| Overall |
6
|
9
|
9
|
8
|
4
|
6
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
-
|
“You win because of experience”
For the American Robby Gordon, professional driver in the NASCAR series for the past 16 years, the January raid is an event he wouldn’t miss for anything in the world. Because if the Californian is used to running among the leaders in a variety of disciplines – off-road, Indy Cars, endurance -, there is still one trophy that has eluded him.
Winning the Dakar one day is Robby Gordon’s objective. This race, “the most demanding in the world for both man and machine”, has been a dream of his for a long time. From his first participation in 2005, the “Yankee” made Dakar history in becoming the first American in a car to win a stage (today his number of stage wins is at three). But it was nowhere close to be satisfying. He hit a lot harder when the Dakar visited South America. No stage win but an impressive final 3rd position overall, surprising some of the best despite losing close to an hour early in the race due to a clutch problem. And at the end of the previous event in Buenos Aires as he was sitting on top of his Hummer, his thoughts were already set on 2010 with the goal to win. “As soon as the last Dakar stopped, we started improving the car. It’s now lighter, faster, and more efficient”.
The course of the 32nd edition actually has all the ingredients to please Gordon: “Six or seven days in the sand will make a huge difference. We’re good in the desert. That’s where we can give the best of what we’ve got. Last year was more of a WRC rally type course and on that we’re beat”.
Alongside co-driver Andy Grider, the crew seems to have gained in wisdom. The goal is no longer to shine on specials but to finish on the highest step of the podium. “You win the Dakar because of experience, not luck”. To help out in his quest for glory will be two other Hummers for compatriot Ronn Bailey and Chilean Carlo De Gavardo. An extra helping hand to beat the best of the rest. “Last year we beat all the BMW and Mitsubishi cars and half of the Volkswagens. We’ll just need to do a little better…”
Dakar start photos on line: www.maindruphoto.com