Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[French motorcyclist Thomas Bourgin killed at Dakar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/13/french-motorcyclist-thomas-bourgin-killed-at-dakar/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/13/french-motorcyclist-thomas-bourgin-killed-at-dakar/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/13/french-motorcyclist-thomas-bourgin-killed-at-dakar/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Thomas Bourgin

The 2013 Dakar Rally has claimed another life. Organizers have confirmed 25-year-old motorcycle rider Thomas Bourgin died after colliding with an oncoming Chilean police vehicle while in transit to the start of a stage.

The accident occurred at 8:23 local time, and the rally's medical teams responded to the scene. Medics say Bourgin likely died instantly as a result of the collision. The Frenchman was ranked 68th in the 2013 Dakar Rally at the time of the accident. This was his first running of the event, though he had competed successfully in the Morocco Rally, Africa Race and the Tunisia Rally.

This year's race claimed the lives of two passengers in a taxi when a support truck struck their vehicle head on last week. A second taxi rolled several times attempting to avoid the wreck, resulting in a total of seven injuries. You can read the full press release on the latest incident below.

Continue reading French motorcyclist Thomas Bourgin killed at Dakar

French motorcyclist Thomas Bourgin killed at Dakar originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Jan 2013 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 dakardakardakar deathdakar rallyrallythomas bourginSun, 13 Jan 2013 14:17:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20427345/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/13/french-motorcyclist-thomas-bourgin-killed-at-dakar/20427345/article-detail.xml 20427345 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/thomas-bourgin_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/thomas-bourgin.jpg <![CDATA[Dakar flub gets Robby Gordon a cursin']]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/dakar-flub-gets-robby-gordon-a-cursin/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/dakar-flub-gets-robby-gordon-a-cursin/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/dakar-flub-gets-robby-gordon-a-cursin/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Robby Gordon Dakar 2013

Robby Gordon is off to a rough start in the 2013 Dakar Rally Raid. First, the racer broke reverse trying to free his rig from a sand dune. That news sent him into a fit of rage captured on an in-cabin camera. We'll just say the language isn't safe for work or for younger ears, but for everyone else it's well worth checking out below. Shortly thereafter, events turned even worse when Gordon cleared a dune only to fall victim to deep, soft sand at the bottom. When his Hummer hit the loose terrain, the nose dug in, pitching the whole machine onto its roof. Both Gordon and his co-driver wound up having to dig themselves out of the wreck.

Somewhat miraculously, Gordon seemed less upset about putting his racer shiny side down than he was about shredding reverse. Either way, his shot at landing on the podium has up and vanished. You can check out both clips for yourself below.

*REMEMBER: NSFW language.

Continue reading Dakar flub gets Robby Gordon a cursin'

Dakar flub gets Robby Gordon a cursin' originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 dakardakarrobby gordonrobby gordon cursingrobby gordon tantrumrobby gordon wrecktantrumWed, 09 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20423978/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/09/dakar-flub-gets-robby-gordon-a-cursin/20423978/article-detail.xml 20423978 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/robby-gordon-dakar-2013-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/robby-gordon-dakar-2013-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mini Countryman by X-Raid set for Dakar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/20/mini-countryman-by-x-raid-set-for-dakar/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/20/mini-countryman-by-x-raid-set-for-dakar/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/20/mini-countryman-by-x-raid-set-for-dakar/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mini Countryman with Off-Road Package

Mini is gearing up to head back to Dakar. The company campaigned five ALL4 racecars last year, and took the overall victory with driver Stéphane Peterhansel and co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret. Second place also fell to Mini, and the remaining three cars soaked up spots in the top ten for an impressive finish. This year, Mini is headed back with specially-prepared Countryman models in competition as Peterhansel attempts to defend his crown from a new crop of rivals. The team will also make use of Countryman service vehicles, all fitted with an off-road package and a spate of Mini accessories to help them overcome the 5,000 miles of brutal terrain through Peru.

Those include a four-piece body kit made of durable plastic to help protect the body from dings and chips, and the beefy fender flares call to mind the exaggerated arches on the competition vehicles.

Speaking of the competitors, Peterhansel piloted his ALL4 race car to gold in the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies this year in preparation for Dakar. We'll keep an eye on his progress once the race gets started in January. In the interim, you can check out the full press release below for more information.

Continue reading Mini Countryman by X-Raid set for Dakar

Mini Countryman by X-Raid set for Dakar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Nov 2012 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 dakarcountrymandakardakar 2013dakar mini countrymanminimini countrymanrally raidTue, 20 Nov 2012 17:04:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20383407/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/20/mini-countryman-by-x-raid-set-for-dakar/20383407/article-detail.xml 20383407 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/mini-countryman-dakar-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/mini-countryman-dakar-628.jpg <![CDATA[Honda will compete in 2013 Dakar Rally]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/03/honda-will-compete-in-2013-dakar-rally/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/03/honda-will-compete-in-2013-dakar-rally/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/03/honda-will-compete-in-2013-dakar-rally/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Honda CRF450X Dakar

Honda has announced that it will take part in the 2013 Dakar Rally next January with a special motorcycle works team. It's been 23 years since Honda last took part in the rally, back when it took place in Europe and Africa and sailed under the Paris-Dakar banner. Between 1981 and 1989, Honda walked away with the gold five times, but hasn't so much as touched a grain of sand on the new course that spans from Peru through Chile and into Argentina. Team HRC is out to change that with its new four-rider team.

Helder Rodrigues, Felipe Zanol, Sam Sunderland and Javier Pizzolito will each command a new prototype race bike based loosely on the CRF450X. Honda has also whipped up a ration of kit parts designed to be bolted to a factory CRF450X should any privateer team feel like following in the Japanese bike maker's tracks. Check out the quick press release below for more information.

Continue reading Honda will compete in 2013 Dakar Rally

Honda will compete in 2013 Dakar Rally originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jul 2012 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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