2010 Dakar -Good News!

**Padmei** · 27th December 2009, 12:51

Very exciting. Does anyone know if coverage will be on Sky? I heard a rumour it may be. Maybe I should check it myself. The Dakar shop looks very tempting & the prices not bad at all $40NZ approx for Tshirt + postage. If anyone wants to get something maybe we could amalgamate.

**Padmei** · 1st January 2010, 08:21

I've been checking out the racing thread on Adv rider & the Dakar is nearly at the start line. Some of the bikes look fantastic.

For those interested this Aussie station has nitely updates

http://www.sbs.com.au/dakar/

The only trouble is I keep looking at Farewelll Spit on the map & wonder if they'd notice me sneaking in under cover of darkness & setting up camp for a few days.

Crazyfrog you found yourself a 690 yet?

**CrazyFrog** · 2nd January 2010, 13:53

Yep, I found me a 690, unfortunately it's not a sexy 690RR, just a plain ol' END, but good enough for this kid. Red Bull stickers will make it go faster....

Anyhooo, the Dakar prologue started today, just a liason stage to the official start line. Reports say over 200,000 spectators were there to watch them leave, awesome.
One poor bastard had his CRF450 catch on fire before leaving the parc ferme, so that's him out already

Coverage for each days highlights will be on SBS Tv from 8pm NZ time. The prologue video is even a good watch so far, short interviews with the big boys, Coma, Despres, Casteau and Fretigne, has some good ride action shots, and close ups from scutineering, god thems bikes are sexy, Casteau's Sherco in black looks so coooool.
Red Bull sponsorship is everywhere too, they're backing numerous riders, not just their official team. See, I told you stickers make 'em go faster.......

**CrazyFrog** · 4th January 2010, 07:35

Okay, day 2 is now done and dusted. Seems the 450's are more than holding their own with line honours again, this time for Fretigne's Yamaha, yesterday David Casteau won on the Sherco. The KTM boys are right up there as well, by a matter of seconds, today Coma got a time penalty which handicapped him a bit. Looking forward to seeing them in the Atacama desert.
Our Kiwi Paul Cummins never seemed to have made the start line, wonder what happened there.

Rob Pollard on the 690RR is the best placed Aussie so far, he got 30th today.
Nice to watch some coverage on SBS, albeit short but sweet.

**Padmei** · 4th January 2010, 08:04

Paul didn't front up with the final entry fee for some reason.

As the commentator said on the sbs coverage the air restrictors have worked really well keeping the 690s even with the 450. I love safariberg's bike very cool.

I think the 450 class has opened up so many more avenues for sponsorship from alll the other manufacturers & that'll def help more people get into the dakar. maybe we'll start seeing 450 dakar RRs around.
BTW are the 690's really 690cc in the race? i know they're 650cc in real life but the narator mentoned they were 690cc so wondered if he got it wrong.

**NordieBoy** · 4th January 2010, 09:11

Originally Posted by Padmei

BTW are the 690's really 690cc in the race? i know they're 650cc in real life but the narator mentoned they were 690cc so wondered if he got it wrong.

The factory 690's really are.

**CrazyFrog** · 4th January 2010, 12:24

Yep, the stock standard 690 SM, SMC, END models are 650cc badged as 690.
Those 690RR's are the real deal, but those air restrictors make 'em run like a 450. Stink one.

**Padmei** · 4th January 2010, 20:11

If anyone hasn't aleady go to this page & CHECK OUT THE STAGE2 cars - way beterer than the bikes even
http://www.sbs.com.au/dakar/

To be a spectator here you really are taking your life in your hands

**JATZ** · 4th January 2010, 20:23

Originally Posted by Padmei

If anyone hasn't aleady go to this page & CHECK OUT THE STAGE2 cars
http://www.sbs.com.au/dakar/

effin dialup

**Woodman** · 4th January 2010, 20:41

cool, .....................

**Padmei** · 4th January 2010, 20:58

I feel sorry for ya. Don't want to rub it in but I got a new pc yesterday & the screen is fantatistical. Mustn't be a lot of crap inside it either cos doen't take long to load up vids etc.

**Padmei** · 6th January 2010, 19:48

Stage 4 is awesome. Marc como is the man!! Robbie Gordon in the 2wd Hummer - outstanding. I only wish there was more coverage - 5 mins for 3-5hrs racing?

Does it seem to others that are watching that the narrator is watching the same clip as us & making it up as he goes along?

Here's hoping the kids keep drinking Red Bull for many more years to help the drivers sponsorship bids.

**Waihou Thumper** · 6th January 2010, 20:04

OK you Dakar whores....

Try typing racing underground into your browser...(good site)
I have a full 39-40 minutes of the Dakar posted 24 hours after it has been on the satellite thanks to the folks over in Europe..

I will share....

Promise....