Highs and Lows for Robby Gordon – 2012 Dakar Rally
As the 2012 Dakar Rally enters Peru for the final four days, the competition is heating up. Yesterday, Robby Gordon won Stage 9 in northern Chile beating race-leader Stéphane Peterhansel in a Mini by 1 minute and 38 seconds after over six hours of driving on one of the longest stages. It was a real boost for Gordon as it was his first stage win this year. It had been a great two days for Gordon as he had finished just five seconds behind Nani Roma the stage winner on Tuesday. More importantly he finished over five minutes ahead of Peterhansel, which narrowed the Frenchman’s lead down to only six minutes.
Sadly today’s stage was far from kind to the Speed Energy Hummer team. Nasser Al-Attiyah, who had won two stages, decided to withdraw after suffering more mechanical problem, since it would be impossible for him to win the event. Gordon was all set for another stage win running neck and neck with Peterhansel. However, about 40 miles from the end of the stage he hit a rock at speed and baldy damaged the right side of the Hummer. He eventually finished fourth, which dropped him to third in the overall standings.
But worst of all, the race stewards had disqualified Gordon for allegedly altering the engine’s air intake system giving the Hummer more power than the regulations allow. Gordon immediately appealed the disqualification and he will be allowed to continue in the rally until the infraction is reviewed by the FIA in Paris.
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Watch this video of Gordon roaring through the Atacama Desert today and discussing his big off. More news, video and photos can be seen on Gordon’s website. The next four days will certainly be exciting as we watch an American race in the Peruvian desert against an equally fast Frenchman, while arguing with French officials.
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