Persevering to overcome a poor finish in Stage 2 due to mechanical issues, the No. 303 SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER was back on unfamiliar terrain. In the 2010 edition of the Dakar Rally, Stage 3 took the competitors from La Rioja to Fiambala, however, this year the route has moved further east as they make their way to Chile. Beginning the day in San Miguel de Tucuman, this special stage has been split into two parts, totaling 226km or 165 miles.
Robby Gordon and navigator, Kellon Walch, made up valuable time in Stage 3 of the Dakar Rally. Starting the day in 21st position overall, Gordon finished the stage in 15th, putting the No. 303 SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires team 17th overall, 1 hour 32 minutes and:42 seconds behind leader, Carlos Sainz. Even as Gordon improved his position in the rally, he was not pleased with the performance of the HUMMER. “We keep putting ourselves behind the eight ball. We passed a bunch of cars early in the special, but then realized we had lost a transmission pump”, Gordon commented. The HUMMER ran hot all day which prevented Gordon from racing the special at the vehicle’s full potential. Frustrated with the performance, Gordon says, “Today’s special would have been good for the HUMMER had we not had a mechanical issue. The route had some very technical, rough stuff in the beginning, and it would have been good for us.”
Day 5 – Stage 4 commences from San Salvador de Jujuy ending in Calama. The Dakar leaves Argentina temporarily to cross the Andes mountain range via the Paso de Jama pass. The Stage 4 special is 207km or 128 miles.
About SPEED Energy – SPEED Energy is available in three flavors: Unleaded, Fuel, and Octane, which provides the human machine with the fuel it needs to keep up with the SPEED of life. Each drink contains a potent energy blend of B-vitamins, caffeine, taurine and ginseng. SPEED is packaged in 12 ounce sleek cans that have a stylish black top and sexy body and are available in singles, four-packs, and cases. SPEED Energy is available in the United States in major retailers, convenience stores, grocery stores, bars and nightclubs. For more information, please visit speedenergy.com.
Race Coverage – For fans tracking the Dakar Rally at home, please visit speedenergy.com, planetrobby.com, dakar.com along with Facebook and Twitter for daily updates on the team’s performance including a daily recap, photos and videos. The team will also be doing a preview daily leading up to the Rally that details their Dakar program and what it takes to get the team ready to participate in the 14-stage event. The Versus Channel will provide coverage throughout the United States. A 30-minute daily program featuring highlights from that day’s racing will be aired on Versus daily at 3:30 p.m. with a replay airing later in the day. Check your local listing for exact show times.
NEW for 2011 – The SPEED Energy APP featuring exclusive updates of Robby Gordon and his SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER during the 2011 Dakar Rally. Follow Robby as he competes in the world’s toughest race through Argentina and Chile. Be the first to hear updates from the driver himself and get exclusive videos and photos during the team’s quest to win the coveted Dakar Rally. You’ll be able to keep up with Robby during the rally from your iPhone or iPad!
Robby Gordon and Team HUMMER Dakar Statistics
2005
· First American to win a stage in Dakar Rally while driving for the VW Touareg Factory team
· Two stage victories
· Overall 12th place in a field of more than 460 competitors
2006
· Gordon began his own Dakar effort with the creation of Team HUMMER
· Campaigned a purpose built HUMMER H3 in conjunction with General Motors
· Ran as high as fifth in a field of more than 500 competitors before a h*** in the radiator led to mechanical failure
2007
· Returned to Dakar with new sponsor and greater factory engineering support from General Motors
· Won one stage (longest stage overall)
· Overall 8th place finish
2008
· The Dakar Rally was cancelled due to security threats in Mauritana, but Gordon ran in the replacement Rally, the Central European Rally, which took place through Hungary, Romania and Budapest
· Campaigned as a two-race vehicle team and both vehicles finished in overall top-10 (7th and 10th)
2009
· The Dakar Rally was moved to South American and took place in Argentina and Chile
· Campaigned again as a two-race vehicle team
· Robby Gordon finished 3rd overall and the second team HUMMER finished 13th overall
2010
· Campaigned as a three-race vehicle team throughout Argentina and Chile
· Robby Gordon finished 8th overall, the Vanguard HUMMER finished 20th and the Chile HUMMER ended on Stage 3 after the transmission expired
Credit: Robby Gordon Press Release
