THE BATTLE FOR AFRICA

This “Battle for Africa” is different than the one 60 years ago. This one doesn’t contain the General Erwin Romel (AKA The Desert Fox). With 20% of the Dakar in the record books, the cream is beginning to rise. By the day after tomorrow the Rally will be one third over and several issues with the individual teams will start to unveil “general team orders”. I could see the later stages of this race becoming a cat and mouse race. A race where we see the Mega-Bucks teams sacrificing half their team trying and drag Robby behind them and off into the sunset. Robby will have to trust Darrin and keep his eye on one guy; Jean-Louis Schlesser. Jean is a Dakar veteran that is into this for his own Victory. He will not sacrifice his position for anything. Jeans dust trail is truly headed for the finish line. Two things will remain the same as 60 years ago. This Battle is still going to be fought with a DeZert Fox; Robby Gordon. The second thing that will be the same as 60 years ago. The Panzers will not win in the end.

How did Robby fare on Stage 3?
“We made a great run off the line, passing both Jean Louis Schlesser (the eventual winner) and Stephane Peter Hansel’s Mitsubishi, but then I looked off to the left and saw one of the BMW X3s fast disappearing in the dust. Knowing how well this team had been doing I instinctively elected to follow and soon realized he was lost. Darren (Skilton), my navigator, had been tracking our line in the heavy dust and soon pointed out that we were seriously off-course; we had to double back and I suspect we lost at least two minutes.” Gordon eventually re-passed both Schlesser and Peterhansel, but his elapsed time for the stage still put the Hummer team in 5th overall 1 minute and 30 seconds behind the leaders. “This is an incredibly large and confusing area of the earth; it’s very easy to trust your racing instinct instead of the route book and your navigator…I won’t make that mistake again,” said Gordon.

Mark Miller is doing an awesome job. He could very easily bring home the Gold for USA if Robby doesn’t. The Hog Wild Boyz are still nuts! And Andy Grider is the Man!

With Mark, Robby, Andy and those nutcases on the Harley Side Car, USA seems to be invading Europe. There would be nothing nicer seeing Lance’s 7th Tour Victory followed up with a Car and Bike house cleaning in Dakar by the Red White and Blue!

Mitsubishi is officially on NOTICE:

"We opted for a safe strategy over the first few days in Morocco, but it is very pleasing to be, not only in touch with our rivals, but actually leading the rally with the first two places," said Mitsubishi Team Director Dominique Serieys. "'Nani' has really benefited from his recent experience and again proved that we have four drivers who can win the Dakar this year." "I told our drivers that Volkswagen are the main rivals, but we should also watch out for Jean-Louis Schlesser and Robby Gordon and 'Schless' proved the point and was the fastest today. We will maintain our strategy and see what develops. But it was a good day for us."

Thoughts for the day: Robby is surrounded like in The Battle of the Bulge. Sitting in eighth place right now. Robby is in a quagmire of People Cars and Mitsubishi (Manufacturer of the famed Japanese Zero). I guess the French ASO’s seeding system is a bit favored towards the Europeans with a 35th ranking at the start of the Dakar Rally for Robby? It will be great to see Robby’s car with that 300 on it next year! I expected Robby to maintain composure this early in the Dakar. He is doing really well at that. The very bright Robby of today seems to be letting the so called “favorites” trip over their own dick. His "Monster" Weapon is in top form, his team is in top form, and Robby is in top form.

Tomorrow’s Stage 4: Rachidia-Ouarzazate: Gateway to the desert This could be considered as a Dakar classic, but there is something unknown here too. It is perhaps the rally’s most varied special. With the first dunes, it will doubtless be the time to get out the shovels and sand mats (Not RG), before taking on the shotts, stretches of sandy or stony wadis... It’s a time for co-drivers to bury their head in the road-book, not in the sand.