Congrats to Honda rider American Ricky Brabec

[Hook#3287]

The California kid won his first stage (#7) in the Dakar Rally in South America yesterday on his Honda factory sponsored CRF450.  The young rider has already won the  2014 Baja 500 (1st), San Felipe 250 (1st), Baja 1000 (1st).

I know there's not much interest here for the Dakar, every year I post on it with little response, but that is a major accomplishment for anyone and Honda is still heavily involved in the Rally.

The team in general is running great, but have no chance of winning the overall, becuase of a 1 hour penalty the complete team took for an improper fuel stop.

Hey, at least it's a motorcycle post.

[The emperor has no clothes]

When I was younger, I devoured info about the Dakar and other important events like ISDT. I haven't seen much of it in a long time. Is it on TV, or do you just follow it online ?

[Hook#3287]

NBC/SN has a half hour show on about 6-6:30 EST every day.

I got it on auto record and watch when I can.

Sometimes they show a couple in a row.

It really gets no respect in the US, but is the most brutal race there is.

[The emperor has no clothes]

NBC/SN has a half hour show on about 6-6:30 EST every day.

I got it on auto record and watch when I can.

Sometimes they show a couple in a row.

It really gets no respect in the US, but is the most brutal race there is.

Thanks, I'm going to check it out. I agree it gets little respect from us Americans, but it is huge in Europe. It's a shame that some of our big races have fallen away.

[J.Mencalice]

Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and almost 6000 miles televised on NBCSP.

Those 35000 lb trucks are like rolling battleships.  Terrain and weather has been brutal.

Good coverage and fantastic stories being told.

Those boys are having the time of their lives.

KTM's, Honda's, Yamaha's, Husqvarna's seem to be the bikes of choice.

[RDKLL]

I agree, the trucks a freaking amazing!

[The emperor has no clothes]

I set the box to record. Got a chance to watch tonight. I'm rather embarrassed to have to admit that I didn't realize they weren't racing in North Africa anymore.   I couldn't figure out why they were doing the Paris-Dakar in South America   Had to google it up. Sometimes I think life is passing me by while I'm in my own little world. Anyway, it was good. Looks like they had some hellacious weather and conditions.

[Robert]

Thanks for posting this, I will also watch.  Even though I may be on the edge of my seat, you know I would like some relaxation at the end of the day not a cliff hanger. 

[Hook#3287]

I set the box to record. Got a chance to watch tonight. I'm rather embarrassed to have to admit that I didn't realize they weren't racing in North Africa anymore.   I couldn't figure out why they were doing the Paris-Dakar in South America   Had to google it up. Sometimes I think live is passing me by while I'm in my own little world. Anyway, it was good. Looks like they had some hellacious weather and conditions.

How would you know, it doesn't get much play here in the US.  If it wasn't for NBCSN, the internet would be the only outlet .

It was moved from Africa because of the unstable governments of the country's the race was originally  held and the threat of terrorism.

They've had too cancel a couple of days due to weather and land slides.

I wish some US truck companies like Mack, Peterbuilt, etc would get involved.  Maybe Osh Kosh, that would be cool.

[thewoodman]

I watch this every year and have for a dozen years on different networks when available. They moved it from the Paris to Dakar (??? someplace in Africa) after the race got too dangerous from thieves and hijackers and terrorists and such. Aside from the variety of vehicles competing, it's the crazy landscape and altitudes that makes it the most difficult race in the world, and the longest rally to boot.

The trucks are nuts and all the driver-riders are all in, balls to the wall all the time. Ricky Brabec is running for his second year and Robby Gordon didn't come back this year after 8-9 attempts. Just finishing is a major accomplishment. Ricky would be doing better except the entire Honda team got a 1 hour penalty for fueling illegally, like in the wrong spot.

It's been said that the Baja 1000 is the most difficult race on the planet, but that's just a warm up compared to the Dakar. Just watching the terrain that they blast through is amazing to look at, since there is nothing else like it on the planet. The Atacama desert hasn't had a drop of rain in recorded history.

People crash and burn and die in the race every year and the technology, planning and support to make this race take place is simply insane. Well worth a look. It is literally the beginning of a new year's racing season, followed by Stadium Supercross, followed by the 24 hours of Daytona.......And away we go.