THE DAKAR SPOT

Robby Gordon Press Release that didn't make the cut

2008-03-29T21:03:00.000-07:00

Response to Vanguard press release:

"Ronn is a wealthy gentlemen who was someone buying a full ride with a stage winning Dakar team. Ronn Bailey merely used his company to as a resource for his own private endeavor." (Via pre-tax funds) Similar to what many wealthy adventures do as their assumed right.

However, when the The Dakar rally for 2008 got cancelled/rescheduled due to terrorist threats after 4 tourist were killed in Africa, he did not take the adventurer stance and accept the risks involved from the outset.Then, a month later, Ronn (Just For Men) Bailey wanted the money back.

For goodness sake he even bought bullet proof vests for the rally/adventure. I wonder if he has he requested a refund for those because no one shot at him?

Well this is the big boys and even Disneyland doesn't give refunds when The Big Boys Roller Coaster is shut down for the day. Robby Gordon Motorsports is a business and we don't build million dollar race cars for free.

As a consolation to the January race, Robby Gordon Motorsports was going out of our way to let him drive in the 7 day Dakar Series next month as a freebee. He should have taken that offer as for it would have been fun for Ronn, he would have some adventure and he would have gained some seat time to help his basic driving abilities.

"Robby Gordon Motorsports builds the best off road race cars in the World and also gains the largest exposure for American companies in the Dakar Rally Series. We stand buy our product. Ronn Bailey and more importantly Vanguard will continue to gain exposure for the next 3 years and we expect all parties involved to honor their commitments as gentleman.

IT's BEEN AWESOME!!!

2007-12-26T22:15:00.000-08:00

The Dakar Spot is now met it's time. For the last two years I've had great fun letting Dakar and Robby fans feed on some of of Fly's thoughts and inside information. But... like all media capabilities the path of The Dakar Spot, YouTube, Robby Gordon.com and Twitter are now becoming intermingled into one cornucopia known as...

Robby's Uprising is just that. The Punk has set up the wave of the future for this year's Dakar Dally. Like every year RGM brings it to the table and shows the news media and industrial moguls what time it is. Last year RGM/YouTube/Micron brought the heat providing same day in-car video and proved that a small US company can maintain YouTube's top 20 for 2 weeks strait. This year's Baja 1000 brought Twitter to the motor sport forefront with live updates from the bowels of Mexico to your PC and your Cell Phone.

This year RGM has a dedicated Media Hummer chasing the Dakar Rally for the entire 10,000 Kilometer rally from Europe to the end of Africa. Fully equipped it's $50,000.00 full auto tracking live Satilite and on-board media editing station Robby Gordon Motor sports will provide the best coverage yet.

So for the latest updates from Fly's relocated blog, RGM crew members, RGM engineers, RGM Partners, Latest Video and what will be the largest assembled group of Robby Gordon fans in the nation Join Up by clicking : www.robbysuprising.com

DAKAR OR BUST!

2007-01-19T23:44:00.000-08:00

Stage 14 is the last true competitve stage in the 2007 Dakar Rally. Stage 14 is another great stage for The Monster. Robby is in a great starting position to catch yesterday's winner and 9th place car overall, Carlos Sainz. Carlos sits just 25 minutes behind Robby in the standings. Expect Robby catch Carlos at KM175 and bird dog him to the finish. With only 12 miles of tricky navigation at the end RG should come out of here with a stage win do to his 20 minute start gap and lock up 8th place or better in the overall standings.

Positions 3rd through 6th face a delima of being blanketed by only on hour. There is a 70% chance one of these racers will snap under the pressure be delt a fatal blow and allow the rest of the field to move up one position in the overall standings and into Fly's mid race report prediction of a 7th place finish overall.

Everybody in the city of Dakar tomorrow will really enjoy seeing The Monster and the powerful big inch V-8 show it's stuff on the on the beach sands of Dakar. They will be witness to the greatest team from the USA ever to participate in the Rally's almost 30 year history.

Turbo Tom's Trio!

Wow! Turbo and his boys are on track to break another USA Dakar Rally Record! If they finish this stage today, tomorrow will go down in the record books as they will be cruising the beach sands of Dakar knowing they are the only team from the USA to finish the race ever in a T-4 support truck.

Team Dakar USA is doing it their way and have left an impression the Europeans will find hard to forget.

Team Dakar USA is doing it their way and have left an impression the United States will find hard to forget.

GAS ON! Fly

9 SECONDS OF PURE BLISS!

2007-01-18T19:56:00.000-08:00

No Prerunning here; CLICK HERE

Yeah that will give a taste of V-8 Americana to them Euros...

I like how they yell HUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMER!!!
Before it's even in view...

Then start yelling in Spanish,

"bla bla Hummer yeah! bla bla awesome bla bla!"

The Monster Drifting! What a site, not too many people on this planet that can do that on a road they have never seen with a two wheel drive.

Gas On! Fly

THE TIDE OF BATTLE CHANGES!

2007-01-15T20:02:00.000-08:00

Robby and Team Dakar USA in the top ten overall! After two strait days and almost 1000 Kilometers of Special, Robby and Andy Grider finished both days in the top ten. As Fly stated in his last post three days ago, Fly predicted that history would repeat it's self and 2 of the top ten would have major blows to their effort.

Robby's bad luck came early in the rally and it seems to have turned the tide to the other competitors. Two of the top five got kicked in the nuts today.

Robby's two top ten finishes in stage 8 and 9 coupled with his top 15 finish in stage 7 and his stage 6 win, plus other car's troubles thrusted Robby into the 8th position overall. What does this mean? With 5 big stages left in the rally, Robby currently leads what is now being called the "open class".

Although Robby's car is fully designed to met the regulations of T-1 it seems some big dawg somewhere was looking to discredit Robby's type of effort with some "Open Class". The fact is, he came playing by their rules, and sits in the 8th position overall. Sure Hummer and Toyo Tires could do an ad stating a victory. They could and should... However, this by no means satisfies Robby's needs. If it be 20 Baja 1000s, 10 Indy 500s, a half a dozen Daytona 500s and 24 hours races, Robby isn't there for the Championship or second place. He is there to run with the very best and WIN the race. To Robby an "Open Class" win could be likened to taking your sister to the Prom. It just is not going to suffice.

Barring an act of God, Robby will not win The 2007 Dakar Rally. Barring an act of God, Robby will be back in 2008 looking to serve up some more roast rabbit.

Turbo and The Boys?

The #556 hit something big a couple days ago on Stage 7 and they worked on it all night and all day with the porta-power pulling the bent front frame apart. They had to replace leaf springs, coil buckets and a ton of stuff. Of course, Robby has a deal with the MAN Service crew who was there working on all the MAN stuff, John Marking (FOX) flew into the bivouvac for the rest day to drop off some Tommy's Burger but instead of pigging out on the best chile burgers in the world, He and the MAN service crew helped Turbo work on the T-4 beast until 3:30 AM…

Turbo completed Check 2 in 22 hours today(Stage 9) and appears to be at the finish line but without a time for finishing. I can only imagine the weakest link has broke apart on the MAN truck again… Time for Team Dakar USA to get some good Ol'American Oshkosh Iron for next year.

Gas On! Fly

STAGE 7 HALFWAY POINT

2007-01-12T20:27:00.000-08:00

It was a long day for all competitors. Today's stage was cut short due to visibility issues for ASO aircraft. The stage was cut by almost 150KM. The day started out with Robby and a band of 5 other cars breaking away from the rest of the field. In the end Robby had a few minor setbacks. Such as changing his first ever Toyo Tire during a race, getting caught in a zero visibility dust storm and The Monster got a bit Hungry and decided to eat some more camel grass to seek retribution for this stage last year. Robby and Andy finished in 13th place for the stage. This moved Robby up to 16th overall and only 1 hour and 5 minutes out of 10th place.

Tomorrow is a rest day for everyone. Today was the end of the first half. 7 stages down and 7 specials to go. So, with 7 special stages and over 2000 kilometers left to go, history has proven from here to the end at least 2 of the current top 12 will find a fatal blow to their goal of finishing The Dakar Rally.

Click Here for Kewl Video of Stage 7

The Monster is running at top level and will continue to extend Team Dakar USA's record streak. After tomorrow's rest day, Robby will be in the same starting scenario as his stage 6 win. Robby will have a 22 minute Gap at the start to another long stage suitable for The Monster's demeanor.

Turbo Tom and his T-4 team are running a smooth race and currently sit in the 22nd spot out of almost 60 Trucks still able to continue.

Fly says: Expect Robby and Andy to win stage 9 by 16 minutes.

Gas On! Fly

Stage 6- A shot over the bow

2007-01-11T18:21:00.000-08:00

Robby Gordon and Andy Grider break and extend records for the USA.

Along with today's win in stage 6 (The longest stage ever in Dakar Rally history), several US records in the Dakar rally were set today. Robby Gordon, driver of the Team Dakar USA - Monster Energy - Toyo Tire - Micron - ProComp - Mac Tools - DeWalt - Hella Lighting - King Shocks - KarTek - Pilo.ti - Hummer H3 along with navigator Andy Grider, left their names in the record books forever!

USA Dakar Car Records Set:
1.First American Born and Raised Driver/Nav Team to win a Dakar Stage.
2.Co-Pilot Andy Grider became the first American Navigator to provide direction to a stage win.
3. Hummer was the first US manufacture to win a Dakar Stage.
4. In 2005 Robby was and still is the only American to win a stage... multiple stages and today Robby extended that to 3.
5. First and only Dakar racer ever to design and win on his own brand wheels. (LOL)
6. First and only American to Design and win with his own Brand Shocks. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Chase.
7. First American Based racing team to build, prepare, support and win a stage in the Dakar Rally.
8. First Team to give Toyo Tires a stage win in the Dakar Rally.
9. First American to drive his own car to a stage win in Dakar.
10.First team to film and produce in the field thier own YouTube.Com Web Site (Ranked top 20 on the 6th most viewed site in the world).

All of these records will be extended tomorrow. Petrol On! Fly

Side Note: Turbo Tom and his T-4 Beast decided to stop and have a Tommy's Burger 5KM from the finish line and finished the stage in 50th place.

TEAM AMERICA!

STAGE 5 "A Thing of Beauty"

2007-01-10T20:23:00.000-08:00

RG Hauls Ass in stage 5, Passes 50+ cars and finishes stage 5 in 15th place!

Robby Gordon's Quote after Stage Five
"The tires that Toyo brought to Dakar have been spectacular and litreally showed today in the very rocky track. We passed quite a few cars today by leaving the track and we punished the tires and they survived extremely well. Our finish today will get us a much better start tomorrow so we are looking at getting the Hummer closer to the front so we can contend for stage wins. Much has happened so far but you have to realize that this race is just five days old and there is a lot of racing left. Our team is working hard and since we solved our fuel problem the Hummer is running exceptionally well. We are going to push hard and make something happen!"

So what does this mean to the Robby fan? Sit back and watch RG clean house on Stage 6. Robbys starts stage 6 in 15th place. The starting times work like this; Cars 1-10 start 2 minutes apart, Then cars start 1 minute apart. This will put a 23 minute gap between Robby and the front runner. Robby will suck that gap up. This gap will close by 150KM and hold a 20 minute lead to the front runner. ... The rest of the stage RG will just have to keep the second place car within eyesight.

Fly says RG wins stage 6 by 10 minutes+. Gas On!

STAGE 4... WHAT A BITCH!

2007-01-10T00:47:00.000-08:00

Entering Africa 2 days ago was a time to say... "Let's get it on" Going into stage 5? Let's get it on already!

During stage 3 Robby noticed a dip in The Monster's powerband. After a night in the service area and trying in vane to locate the power drop no specific issues could be found. During today's stage 4 the problem became so obvious Robby could only muster a piss poor finish outside the top 50. After today and two lost stages for which the Monster was designed, Robby is relegated to 49th in the overall standings.

The fuel issue, weather it be a poorly maintained and neglected year old fuel system or strait up sabotage; Caused 4 of the 8 fuel injectors to be clogged thus leaning out the LS7 power plant and cooking a few spark plug wires. After this, the problem was clearly identified and resolved. Hey, didn't Fly suggest a 9th injector last year?

10 stages remain... Will the luck run out for other teams too? Yes. Is a top 5 finish this year still doable? Yes. Can Robby and The Monster extend Robby’s USA Dakar Driver Record? Yes.

The 4 first stages are gone forever. In this time of mild despair, Fly must quote a top disciple from the book of "Baha Robba Haul Assah”: The top disciple - Rory Artistico VonAirbruch said;
"I like the idea that Robby is having problems, that means he's gonna drive the piss out of The Monster because he is down so far, no team orders, no following the team car, no pulling over to wait for a team car, just good ol' fashioned RG driving like a mad man. Anybody ever see RG drive right after a couple flats trying to make up time.....a thing of beauty."

And the word is spoken. Let's get it on!

Another interesting side note: Prior to the stage 4 start Bobby "The Punk" Chuck, told Turbo Tom there was a Tommy's Burger drive thru at the end of the stage. Turbo Tom and his Team Dakar USA T-4 crew sit 18th overall in the truck class now. (First among the "true support" T-4s).

Gas On! Fly

STAGE 3 THE LAST WORD

2007-01-08T22:56:00.000-08:00

Today’s special began with a very technical aspect including numerous elevation changes and a winding course which tested the navigation skills of the competitors. The course consisted of rocky trails and several perils, with longer stretches that allowed the competitors to push their vehicles to more aggressive speeds. A course very well suited to Team Gordons race Hummer H3.

“The terrain of the special was quite rocky and ideal for the H3.” said Gordon “If there was anything I would have changed it would have been the length of the special. A longer course would have given me more time to pass more of the competitors that are just ahead of our team.” Gordon said with a smile

“We started the day in some what of a catch up mode,” explained Gordon. “Any problems from the previous day will follow you to the start of the proceeding day.” A finish of 41st from the day before will mean you start from that same position the next day.”
Team Gordon’s Monster Energy Toyo Tire Hummer made the most of the day and finished the special in 21st place. This will place the H3 in the 21st starting postion for stage four.

An extra side adventure: The Monster energy In-Race T-4, needed a police escort after it got lost in the Spanish city of Seville.The three-man team blamed their Global Positioning System,or GPS, for the mishap yesterday on day two of the race characterized by desert racing in north Africa, said Diego Gimenez, a spokesman for Seville city hall.``Two police officers got them on the right road and told them: watch out when you get to the desert because we won't be around to help,'' Gimenez said by telephone.Competitors started out in Lisbon and caught a ferry last night from Malaga, Spain, to Morocco before today's 648-kilometer (402-mile) stretch into the desert. The only all-American team in the truck race comprises Thomas Geviss, Paul Mischel and William Higman.

"The Punk", a spokesman for Gordon, didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment. But, it was thought the crew was lured away from their path by a mirage that looked similar to a Tommy's Burger drive thru...

Lasty: Can't have a race without Robby getting in some trouble with the powers that be: Robby was docked 13 minutes today for a speed violation during the stage 1 liason.

Tomorrow is Stage 4 and wide open Africa! Gas On, Fly

Stage 2 update.

2007-01-07T12:04:00.000-08:00

Robby finished out stage 2, 11 minutes and 3 seconds back of stage winner Carlos Sainz (59min-26sec). Robby suffered a minor setback after putting The Monster Hummer in a ditch. Thanks to a fellow competitor Team Gauloises' Raphael Sperrer; Robby was pulled out of the situation that happened 5 KM from the finish. Robby was able to move on and now sits in 18th place overall 18 minutes and 8 seconds back. Tonight they ferry across to Africa and the over 4000 mile battle still left in Africa. Things are looking great for Team Dakar USA.

Stage 3 is a long one, and should open the door for Robby to make up some serious time in the dunes. Expect Stage 3 to swallow up some fellow racers. Also, expect Robby to start 18 minutes behind the first car and make that time up and zero in on the Rabbit.

GET READY FOR WAR!

2007-01-05T22:38:00.000-08:00

STAGE 1: LISBONNE - PORTIMAO
Today’s stage: 492 km total, 117 km of specials. The competitors will already put their wheels on the sand! Then the race will continue on a WRC type of track. This is where the rally drivers will show all their skills! Be sure to keep a close eye on Carlos Sainz (Volkswagen) who won the first two specials last year in Portugal. And of course, Robby Gordon who can wheel a car in any conditions. Race for the cars should start at about 12:39 AM PST

The Monster is T-1 Approved!

2007-01-05T22:24:00.000-08:00

Team Dakar USA Clears First Hurdle: ScrutineeringRobby Gordon's Team Dakar USA arrived at the Belém Cultural Centre in Lisbon for scrutineering in an impressive all black convey that consisted of six off-road vehicles that included the H3 race Hummer, a T4 4x4 race entry, a 4x4 support truck, a 6x6 support truck, and two assistance Hummer H1's. After almost a year of preparation for the most challenging off-road race in the world, the Monster Hummer team was given the green light to race in the 2007 Dakar Rally. The day of scrutineering included almost five hours of activities that included GPS training, document processing, photos, Iritrack installation and finally technical inspection. Gordon's Toyo Hummer which caused a sensation last year was equally well received. The all black race truck was the last vehicle to complete the technical inspection process but the crowd was still thick with anticipation to see what has quickly become a fan favorite. Billboards throughout the Lisbon area feature the H3 Hummer - including a 40ft high billboard cascading the side of the Cultural Centre. "It's very exciting to be here," said Gordon, "The reception for the Hummer has been unbelievable. Our guys have worked so hard to get everything ready and I feel we are very well prepared. After last year we identified our weaknesses and went to work. The Hummer has been in the wind tunnel and we have put almost 10,000 miles of testing on it. We are ready and have one shot and we are hoping to make it count." The first of 15 stages in the Dakar Rally begin tomorrow in Lisbon and travels to Portimão. The rally can be seen in the United States on the Versus Network. In addition Team Dakar USA has combined forces with Micron to provide daily video updates that can be seen on RobbyGordon.com.

ROBBY AND MICRON DELIVER THE GOODS!

2007-01-04T10:45:00.000-08:00

Racer Robby Gordon and Micron Technology to digitally capture video of legendary Dakar Rally

Micron Equips Gordon Dakar Vehicle with Image Sensors and Flash Memory

To Capture Race, Video To Be Shown on Robby Gordon Motorsports and Micron Websites

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C., and BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 4, 2007 – Robby Gordon, one of the racing world’s most versatile drivers, is teaming with Micron Technology to digitally capture video of Gordon in action at the 29th Dakar Rally that begins Jan. 6 in Lisbon, Portugal, and ends 15 stages and 7,915 kilometers later in Dakar, Senegal.

Video of the legendary competition will be captured using innovative Micron image sensors and NAND flash memory technology specially outfitted on Gordon’s Monster Energy, Toyo Tires-HUMMER H3 Dakar racer. Video from the in-car cameras, which are programmed to record at set intervals or can be activated by Gordon at the push of a button while driving, will be available at http://www.micron.com/dakar with regular race updates on the Robby Gordon Motorsports website at http://www.robbygordon.com.

Gordon first met Micron officials and learned of the company’s technology when both he and Micron competed and won their respective race classes — Gordon in the Trophy-Truck division and Micron in the Wide Open Baja Challenge division — at the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 race in Mexico in November. Micron equipped four vehicles operated by its executives with Micron’s imaging and flash memory products to capture video of the grueling off-road contest and test the durability of those products.

“We want to bring our fans closer to the real Dakar experience, and working with Micron to capture video of this legendary rally is a great fit,” said Gordon, who is competing in his third Dakar Rally as the driver of Team Dakar USA. “By using Micron’s technology and broadcasting video updates of the race on YouTube, the world gets a chance to see firsthand how intense this race is and we’re looking forward to every minute of it.”

The Micron/Robby Gordon Motorsports new media project hopes to complement the already impressive media offerings from the rally organizers. The Versus channel will provide more than 29 hours of Dakar Rally coverage throughout the month of January. In addition, rally fans can follow their favorite drivers via Iritrack – a GPS tracking solution available on Dakar.com once the rally begins.

For Micron, the Dakar Rally offers another harsh environment to test the durability of its DigitalClarity™ image sensors and Lexar Professional CompactFlash™ memory cards. Additionally, Micron welcomes the opportunity to help deliver regular updates to Robby Gordon Motorsports fans using its innovative technology platform.

“At Micron, we’re a company that captures, moves and stores digital data,” said Steve Appleton, Micron Chairman, CEO and President. “Collaborating with Robby and his team provides us with a unique forum to showcase our products and our culture of innovation.”

With its superior image quality, Micron is the leading supplier of CMOS image sensors in the technology industry today. The company’s imaging technology can be found in a variety of applications from mobile phones and PC cameras to security and healthcare products. Micron also provides best-in-class image sensors to the automotive industry, with its image chips designed into backup cameras and parking, lane departure warning and several other safety navigation systems in various makes and models of automobiles worldwide. Micron image sensor technology being used to capture images in Gordon’s H3 at Dakar can be found in the rear-vision system offered in the 2007 HUMMER H2.

Additionally, the three NAND flash memory video recorders installed in Gordon’s vehicle contain an 8 gigabyte Lexar Professional CompactFlash memory card. Trusted by professional photographers, the memory cards provide a high-speed, high-capacity removable storage solution that facilitates the ultimate performance in digital still and video recording equipment.

Gordon is the first and only American to win a stage in the Dakar Rally. He shocked the racing world in 2005 by winning his first-ever stage of the famed rally, and he also won the third stage. Last month, he teamed with rookie Andy McMillin to win the SCORE Baja 1000, after also winning the race in 1987 and 1989. He has 11 top-five finishes in 18 Baja 1000 starts, is a three-time winner of the Baja 500 and has three SCORE International Series Championships to his credit. Additionally, he is a four-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race winner and has also won in the NASCAR Busch Series, Indy cars, IMSA sports cars and virtually every other type of racecar in which he has competed.

Gordon’s HUMMER H3 Dakar racer consists of an H3-shaped body paired with a specially developed chassis featuring a suspension designed by Gordon and his Off-Road team. The Gordon H3 will be a tube-chassis vehicle similar to Trophy Trucks racing in the famed SCORE Baja 1000, except that it will have a fully enclosed air-conditioned cockpit, including windshield and side windows. It will be powered by a production-based General Motors V8 engine.

Micron Technology, Inc., is one of the world's leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions. Through its worldwide operations, Micron manufactures and markets DRAMs, NAND flash memory, CMOS image sensors, other semiconductor components, and memory modules for use in leading-edge computing, consumer, networking, and mobile products. Micron's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the MU symbol. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc., visit www.micron.com.

# # #

Micron, the Micron orbit logo and DigitalClarity are trademarks of Micron Technology, Inc. Lexar and the Lexar logo are trademarks of Lexar Media, Inc. Micron Technology, Inc. is an authorized licensee of the CompactFlash™ and CF logo™ trademarks. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

MONSTER 2.0

2006-12-26T11:57:00.000-08:00

It's a Monster!

Team Dakar USA has a new beast! Many upgrades have tailored The Monster to the unique high speed and low speed demands of Dakar:

Massive aerodynamic modifications such as a whole new rear section that significantly reduces turbulence, relocates engine breathing to rear (rather than the side like last year), removal of the heavy and turbulent rear spare tire, and increased side venting to evacuate air trapped under the rear bodywork. Up top above the greenhouse aero changes include a ram air intake for interior positive pressure to reduce dust from entering the cab area. Forward of the A pillar the windscreen angle has been reduced the hood has been raised at the A pillar for smoother air flow over the top of the wind screen header. The front bumper has a new facade that directs air away from turbulent tube structure located just behind it. Also, aero upgrades of the subtle but equally significant type include smooth Lexan treatments over the previously turbulent headlight and marker lamp openings and several key underbelly treatments reducing turbulence beneath The Monster. The changes above have been rigorously tested in the GM windtunnel and also at the Mesa Proving Grounds these upgrades are proven to be just what the Doctor ordered when it comes to drag coefficient in relation to increased range and speed.

Drivetrain upgrades are also significant; One of the key upgrades to the drivetrain is the exchange of last year's 5 speed Albins transmission to a 6 speed version. Also, the 427 cubic inch all aluminum powerplant has been squeezed for every last ounce of power GM can find in a year's time. Unofficial reports have The Monster at a top speed of over 140MPH.

Suspension and Chassis upgrades: Up front Team Dakar USA Robby has replaced the heavy coilover/bypass shocks with a single massive Robby Gordon internal bypass/coilover setup. The rear still has the highly modified King Set. This year he has also added sway bars and an on board inflation/deflation system for the rear tire to help grip in the soft dunes.

The results: This new top speed with a better range of gearing choices give The Monster a broader power range from 0 to 140 MPH. The 37 inch Toyo tires will get the low-end torque they desired in last year's Dakar and a GM insider reported a zero to 100 mph and back to zero time of 6 seconds better than last year's weapon. Last year on paper, The Monster H3 was a superior vehicle it showed great potential during the race running in the top 10 in all the stages it competed in only to have a 115MPH top speed and new car bugs preventing the World's Best Driver from showing what American Technology and out of the box thinking can to traditional plans of attack.

This Year... The Monster with Robby Gordon behind the wheel will show no remorse on the battlefield!

No Hype, No Excuses, Expect Total Domination.

Updates for 2007

2006-12-26T11:55:00.000-08:00

originally posted 1-10-2006

After completing the 9th Stage the Hummer was driven directly to Dakar for shipment home. Once back at the team’s headquarters in Anaheim, Calif., Gordon’s off-road crew will completely disassemble the H3 and begin preparations for the Baja 500 in June.

The Hummer was taken out of the race by circumstances that are truly encouraging. I say encouraging because, no suspension failure, not a horrific crash with parts all over the desert, not driver injury, not a massive engine explosion any of what you may expect would take the Hummer out. The Hummer could still have won stages.

The beginning of the end was a bolt. Then a slight impact at the Achilles heel, the radiator. However, these slight mechanical failures are not what sent Team Dakar USA home at the end of stage 7. A series of circumstances is what ended the race after stage 7. One circumstance being the in race T-4 support also faced issues in the sand at a critical time, leaving the H-3 and crew marooned. In the end logistics what it takes to beat Africa. Africa will beat everyone down, every time at some point. Every car up till this point in the race has faced set backs by the halfway point. Set backs such as being stuck in the sand, wheel hubs failing, roll overs, engine management glitches, multiple tire failures, getting lost and more.

Robby never got stuck, Never had a flat, never ran out of gas. He just never had the support it takes to address small issues in the middle of nowhere in a timely fashion.

What's the fix for next year? Logistics, this can not be under estimated, mainly in the area of on track support. Maybe, another H-3 entered in the race as a T-2, several T-4 trucks, a convoy of H-1s entered in the 4x4 Open class, a convoy of H-3s entered in the T-1 class. All of the above? A phone call to Hummer compatriots Rod and Chad Hall?

Ok, so Fly (The eternal optimist) pumped the bad ass H-3 up quite a bit prior to the race. I swear it was going to be a Lay down. It was so close, it was right on the cusp of being the class of the field. The car may not have been as good as the driver too. I can say this, it ran up front. With 5 top fifteens in 7 stages the H-3 really showed this combination could prove to be the right choice. Off road cars are like fine wine, the older they get the better they get.

Hypothetically speaking, what are some of the things I would do with Robby's H-3? (Provided I had the bucks and The Monster)

My virtual Crew Chief technical changes for next year;

Two set ups. (2wd is the only class that allows for different tires at different times)

Flat tighter stages;

*Lower car 7”

*Shorter, single, 3” piggy back coil-over shock package

*Sway bars,

*35x13.50R17 Toyo Tire (60 lbs less)

*14”x1.375 rotors

*6 piston caliper

Longer Rougher Stages;

*2.5”coil-over x 3” By-pass

*No sway bars

*37x14.50R15 Toyo Tires

*12”x 1.25 Rotors

*4 piston caliper

Addition handeling enhancements;

*2 fuel tanks. One 20+Gallon located up front to be used on shorter fast stages to balance car better. 1 60 gallon beneath and behind seat tub.

Drivetrain

*New push rod engine using the 37.2mm restrictor, would need to be a 7500-7800 RPM small bore (3.90) x long stroke (4.30) (6734 CC's or 411 C.I.), 6.30 Rod length this will increase piston speed, intake velocity and static compression. Run a small valve (by NASCAR standards) Canted SB 2.2 head with 2.10 intakes and 1.7 exhausts. Solid roller cam shaft (.375 lift at the tappet) with a 1.8 Jessel shaft rocker total lift (.675). The intake would be multi-port cross runner with a throttle for each runner with a large flow shaped plenum with a ninth injector in the plenum. Optimize the 37.2 restricted intake charges by splitting the one restrictor into the allowed two restrictors of the same area. In a shared volume plenum each restrictor would feed from cylinder 1-4 and the second would feed cylinders 5-8 respectively. I would also run a 4/8/9 injector use setting for fuel mileage.

This combination would put the target wieght at 3417 lbs or 1550 KG.

New Solid CAD model of manifold, FIA restrictor and filter system. (Restrictors in red) Plenum not shown, because it is double secret.

However, if I could change one thing in the engine category; This is what I would do with the unregulated crankshaft rules;

I would run a 4.30 stroke split journal even-fire crankshaft. V-8s have a shared journal/pin. Having a common pin crankshaft two pistons fire every 90 degrees, two cylinders produce maximum demand at the same time. Having a split pin configuration, cylinders fire every 45 degrees, thus only one cylinder is at full vacume at a time. An even-fire crank shaft produces smoother power, higher RPM and increases air-velocity through the restrictors. Outlawed by NASCAR but, Jack Flannery ran these in CORR and they work!

The pics show a forged racing V-6 version and a CAD solid model I did of a 4.30 stroke V-8.

Other Drive Train changes;

*Six Speed Transmission.
*3 disc clutch
*A tick lower final gearing.

Get car closer to 3400 LBS, with a target weight of 3417.

Disassembling the claimed 4500lb car, should be a very methodical process. Since this Hummer is a one off prototype many of the components are purpose built items that have yet to be analyzed other than fit and function. When the car is disassembled EVERY part should be added to a parts list (bill of materials) with a description, quantity, weight and an engineering drawing. Then each item on the list can be evaluated individually. During evaluation items are considered to be made from lighter materials, or a lighter design. When the car is down to the bare chassis it is also weighed and evaluated. Ounces eventually become pounds. Redoing components now doesn’t say they were wrong in the first place; it’s just about optimizing what is there. In the end, a race car that is documented is a race car with spare parts that can be duplicated by multiple sources/vendors.

Having a lighter car helps accomplish many goals of a race car; Increased power to weight, Car becomes more responsive to driver input in the turns and under braking, Better fuel mileage, floats on the dunes better and most importantly is a higher reliability factor. When an Off-road car is light in the desert the car and passengers alike take less of a beating. This is because the overall G-forces incurred on the chassis and drivetrain are reduced too.

As the Hummer stands calculations equate to; removing 1000 pounds would be the same as adding 155 horsepower

Quick reference of a lighter approach (obvious path);

*Move Radiator to the rear above engine. (Saves water weight too)

*Analyze all tube structure and replace all tubing with smaller diameter or thinner wall tube where applicable.

*Carbon Fiber Co2 tank.

*Carbon Fiber Dry Sump tank.

*Remove air conditioning system.

*Incorporate Hydro jacks directly into rear hoop. (convert to air over Hydro)

*Scoot rear spare tire and mount into rear cage structure. (Spares to have spun aluminum wheels)

*Replace all aluminum with Carbon except pan and skid protections.

*All fasteners Titanium.

*Make carbon/aluminum sand ramps located below front body work

*Titanium pedals.

*Titanium steering shaft.

*Change spare rear tire mount to lightened hub snout with spare hub and bearing assembly mounted, then mount spare to hub studs.

* Change secondary spare mount to machined flat studded flange attached to engine cage and no tubing around it.

*Large aluminum front bumper that looks more like H-3 bumper. (Doesn't save wieght but looks cool)

*Precise aerodynamics of external air scoops feeding to a carbon fiber large surface flat filtered funneled ram air box and radiator.

Full interior

*One piece carbon seat tub full width and to top of doors. Between seats integrated compartments for assorted hardware, Tools, required ASO/Score passenger kit. Storage for 4 gallons fresh water, 2 gallons of oil.

*One piece carbon floor and center console full width up to door.

*One piece dash with Motec engine management screen and single 15” LCD touch screen integrated.

*Redesign a lighter shifting system

*Single dry cell battery located above transmission close to starter. 7 lb 14VDC NiCad additional located between seats.

*This next one will save well over 50 Lbs and make the car more user friendly (USA STYLE)* Change all electrical switches and gauges to Class 3 solid state circuits with One large color LCD cockpit display/touch screen for co-driver including Nav, GPS, odometer, sat phone, engine management processors built in as one P4 processor unit. All interior and Marker light converted to LED. LED lighting over engine bay, 4 in cockpit at each wheel. All wiring can be switched out to 22ga NANO cable. 4 on board cameras integrated into system with digital recorder.

Well, this pretty much sums up Robby's 2006 Dakar Rally. I’m sure Robby's gears are turning for next year. Let's see what he trumps up for 2007. I can't wait.

I'll be back the next time Robby hits the Dirt in the H-3

LATEST HEADLINES

2006-11-02T19:02:00.000-08:00

Robby Gordon preparing for grueling Dakar Rally
By Associated PressNovember 2, 2006

NASCAR driver Robby Gordon led the 19-member Team Dakar USA through one of its final test sessions last week in preparation for the grueling Dakar Rally, which begins Jan. 6 in Lisbon, Portugal.
The three-day test in the desert of the southwestern United States was run between the Nextel Cup races at Martinsville and Atlanta. Gordon drove his purpose-built H3 in the test that included navigator Andy Grider and provided all team members, including those new to the program this year, with a sample of what the Dakar experience could entail.
Running on terrain similar to what the team will encounter in the early stages of the 16-stage event through Portugal, Spain and Morocco, as well as the latter stages in Mauritania, Mali and Senegal, Gordon said he is confident in the team's ability and its chances of capturing the overall title.

"The mission of this test was to work out the kinks and make our preparations for the rally," said Gordon, a two-time Dakar Rally stage winner, the only American to do so. "We definitely could have been better prepared last year and we definitely didn't want to put ourselves in the same situation this time around.
"The test was structured as a mini-rally. We tried to cover as much terrain possible that would simulate the conditions that we may face in January and really put the H3 and the crew in some compromising situations, not unlike those that you can face in Africa on a daily basis. We intentionally put ourselves in some spots that we may face in the race so the guys could become familiar with each other as well as what they will have available to them during the race."
The rally covers more than 6,000 miles in a 17-day journey from Lisbon to Dakar.

MID-YEAR OUTLOOK FOR DAKAR 2007

2006-09-13T18:28:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to Dakar 2007. I really think with the changes RG has implemented on the Hummer and a year of testing will really show. I know he will be up about 25% on power from last year. He has also done a few things body wise to the Hummer that will increase his top speed by 20+ MPH. They have removed many turbulent areas on the body. Furthermore, he removed some weight.

Also, having two years of experience will make things go smoother in tech and logistically in the beginning stages. Adding a Full Race T-4 will help in the recovery from failures on the course. He has a great navigator, a whole new team. I really feel having plenty of time to get the H-3 tested and preped will be the biggest gain to the team. They won't have a race just to get to the race. The entire team will be much more rested and relaxed.

Official Updates from Team Dakar USA

2006-09-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

Robby Gordon Set To Take On the World Once Again! He will be ready to rock with a year of testing and improvements

While the elite of NASCAR will take January to rest in preparation for the upcoming 2007 season, set to begin a month later, one of racing’s most versatile drivers, Robby Gordon, will be preparing to compete once again in the Dakar Rally, what some consider a mental and physical challenge above all others.
For close to 30 years, adventurers from every corner of the globe have been making the journey to Lisbon, Portugal to take on the challenge of the world’s most grueling race. Beginning on the 6th of January 2007, competitors will spend the next 17 days battling environment and terrain to make the trek south from Lisbon towards the African continent and then to Dakar, Senegal where the 6,000-mile odyssey will end.
Gordon, well respected among his peers as an athlete that can and will take on any challenge set before him, will make his third appearance in the Dakar Rally in as many years. A two-time Dakar stage winner and the only American to do so, Gordon has been competing in off-road endurance races since the early 1980’s. A two-time winner of the esteemed Baja 1000 along with countless other victories within North American borders, Gordon will attempt to be the first American to get the overall win in the race’s history.
Gordon will once again pilot his own vehicle in the 16-stage event operating under the banner of Team Dakar USA. During last year’s Dakar Rally, Gordon was forced to make an early exit from competition when an encounter with the devilish terrain during the seventh stage punctured the radiator and sidelined the team for the remainder of the Rally.
Dakar presents new challenges, far beyond those of just the driver and the car, but a test of man. The race is run on everything from paved roads to sand to terrain covered in jagged rocks. Competitors leave behind all the comforts of home and make the African wilderness their home during the 17-day event. Each stage is a journey in itself.
“Dakar is something that I have always followed and wanted to try, and fortunately thanks to the folks at HUMMER, Toyo Tires and all the others that have come along to help get this endeavor under way, I can go out there and compete,” said the 37-year-old driver from Orange, Calif. who will celebrate his 38th birthday on Jan. 2, just days before departing from Lisbon.
“I had a better idea last year of what the race would be like, but the logistical challenges were still enormous, not just for us but for all competitors.”
Each of the support vehicles, each with a specific purpose to help Gordon in his quest, will also participate and compete in the Dakar Rally.
“I drove for Volkswagen two years ago and they had been running the Dakar for so long that they had it down to a science. Last year was our first attempt to make it on our own and we were competitive until the camel grass punctured our radiator and were not able to clear the stage in enough time to continue.
“We’ll come back this year with more test miles on the truck and all that knowledge gained from last year, and hopefully able to secure our goal of winning overall.”
Gordon’s participation in the last two Dakar events has brought the race to the forefront in the United States and Canada. However, as its popularity grows in the United States, its mass appeal in Europe and Africa is already beyond compare. For 2007, more than 580 hours of programming is expected in more than 180 countries. The sanctioning body of the race, the ASO – which also promotes and organizes the famed Tour de France bicycle race – produces a daily 26-minute television show that is distributed via satellite.
While many will consider just finishing a victory, Gordon’s goals are clearly stated: “I will be disappointed with anything other than a win. Our people give so much and our sole focus is to become the first American’s to win Dakar.”

Additional Q&A:

YOU SAID YOU WERE OFF-ROAD TESTING THIS WEEK. WHAT ARE YOUR OFF-ROAD PLANS THIS YEAR? "I am excited to say that we will do Dakar again next year with Chevrolet and Hummer. I think I recognize and they recognize as partners what that race does for us and what that race does for Hummer. No matter what we do for a manufacture. It will start before the Daytona 500. It is more of a worldwide event than just here in the United States. You guys would be really surprised if you actually saw what that event is in Europe. Basically it is like the Tour de France here. It is live on there channels everyday. There updates two, three, four hours a day. It is on in 140 countries or something like that. So it is a very popular race on the other side of the water. Here it is getting more popular. Obviously, the last two years with us being competitive and putting on good shows. I think next year we will be even more competitive with the engineering support we have received from Chevrolet. The Hummer is, today, at the doing straight-line testing. They are working on new engine packages. We will be better than we were last year just like my Cup team is better this year than I was last year. There is whole group of guys that actually run that program for me out of Anaheim. They also run the Red Bull Trophy Truck, which is the Chevy 1500. We tested it on Monday in Vegas. We won the race two weeks ago in Vegas, so we are still having fun with that program, as well."

This year will prove to be a different outcome. Last year Robby started the Dakar with only minumum test time. The Boys at GM are surly putting The Monster H-3 through it paces at the Mesa Proving Grounds . Click the link to see all the test tracks.

Team Dakar USA Driver Line Up for 2007

2006-08-22T20:36:00.000-07:00

Robby Gordon and former Red Bull/KTM rider Andy Grider will team up as Driver and Navigator in the T-2 class Monster Hummer H-3. This combo will surly deliver the one two punch required to take the Monster H-3 into battle and to the top of the score board in 2007

Andy Grider

Team Dakar USA has prepared a specially designed Full Race Assistance T-5 (on course) SCORE racer Billy Gasper and Top SCORE co-driver Tom "Turbo Tom" Geviss will be the Driver and Co-driver for the Mammoth Sized Mercedes on course support truck.

*Last year, a leased space T-5 left Team Dakar USA stranded on stage 8 ending their hopes of finishing the rally. In an attempt to keep this from happening again, Robby Gordon has taken the matter into his own hands. Billy and Tom are sure to put forth a solid effort

DAKAR 2007 THE BATTLEFIELD IS SET

2006-05-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

The organisers of the Dakar have unveiled the main lines of the 29th edition that will be held between the 6th and the 21st of January 2007. After the succes both on a sporting and media point of view of the start in Portugal last year, they have chosen to once again launch the rally in Lisbon before heading to Africa. The technical and administrative scrutineering will take place on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of January in the Cultural Center of Belem, with on the following day one real rally stage on Portuguese soil. After crossing the Mediterranean sea, the caravan will head for Dakar after going through Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, and Senegal. The course, currently being prepared, will promise to be very sandy. The rally that has become a raid last year thanks to new sporting regulations favouring navigation will carry on in a way that has last year delighted the competitors and race fans.

The increase in sandy conditions should play into Team Dakar USA's hands. With Dakar half a year away, Team Dakar USA will announce their goals and organization in the coming month. Team Dakar USA will return to Dakar with a vastly improved Hummer H3 and a team with much added logistical knowledge. The attack on Dakar 2007 for Team Dakar USA is assured to be whole different result from last year.

CHECK THIS OUT!

2006-02-17T20:40:00.000-08:00

JIM BEAM

CLICK HERE

MUST BE 21

HUMMBUGGY or "THE MONSTER"? You decide!

2006-02-07T18:57:00.000-08:00

"THE MONSTER H-3"

The Birth of a Monster CLICK HERE

requires quicktime

Learn more about "The Monster's" Parents.
Click Here

The making of "MONSTER"
Click Here

Visit Hummer.com for more of "THE MONSTER" as seen during the Superbowl halftime show.

ROBBY WINS!

2006-02-04T15:09:00.000-08:00

ROBBY WINS PARKER!

1st place in Unlimited Trick Truck

**************************************

Robby does a Bonsai test run for the win. He filled up the H-3s 100 gallon tank and raced non-stop for the win. Zero flats again! Go Toyo Tires! And a test session results in a win.
"Perhaps even more important than the win, was the fact that there were absolutely no issues with the performance of the Hummer H3 and at the end of the day Gordon drove to a local gas station, fueled up and drove the street legal truck home."

Update 2:08 PST : Robby in his Hummer H-3 leads all Trophy Trucks with 20 miles to go!

As stated in the last post. Fly will post updates on the Dakar Spot when ever Robby races the Hummer or we get major news about the Hummer.

So here is the latest, in an effort to maximize testing for the 2007 Dakar Rally, Robby has broke out the H-3 this weekend for the Best in The Desert Parker 425 in Nevada. He is competing in the Trophy Truck class.

Robby has changed the engine and removed the Dakar FIA required 37mm air restictor for a bit more power. Although the Hummer is under powered against the unlimited cars and Trophy Trucks RG managed to qualify an astounding 8th place out of the 190 entries over all.

Go to Race-Dezert.com for links to live updates or DirtNewz.com for the best coverage.

WHAT'S IN STORE FOR BATTLE IN 2007?

2006-01-10T20:57:00.000-08:00