Autoblog

KTM pulls out of Dakar Rally

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 15:07:00 EST

Austrian motorcycle maker KTM stakes its reputation on the ability of its off-road motorcycles to tackle the toughest terrain on earth, and it's made a habit of proving these capabilities with both a factory team and a far-reaching privateer support program in the Dakar Rally each year. Up through 2009, that is - KTM has just announced that it's pulling out of next year's event.

The reason cited for the shocking decision is the French ASO's ruling that all motorcycles taking part in the Dakar race in 2010 must use engines displacing 450cc or smaller. KTM's entries all use engines displacing a little over 650cc and will therefore not qualify. Instead of waiting for next year to react, KTM "has decided to immediately accept the consequences and announces its withdrawal from the Dakar."

Whether this is nothing more than a case of sour grapes or an intentional move to limit KTM's chances of winning a ninth-consecutive victory at the Dakar Rally, it's disappointing to a whole bunch of fans with orange-colored blood running through their veins. For what it's worth, KTM says it will continue racing, just not in the Dakar. Make the jump to read KTM's official press release. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: KTM via Bikes in the Fast Lane | Photo: AlexCamPro]

Continue reading KTM pulls out of Dakar Rally

KTM pulls out of Dakar Rally originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Jun 2009 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Robby Gordon signs up for the 2010 Dakar, adds a third HUMMER

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:05:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hummer

One of two American's on the final podium, Robby Gordon finished third in this year's Dakar Rally. Driving a HUMMER H3, he took the bottom step behind South African Giniel De Villiers and American Mark Miller, both of whom were driving VW's diesel Race Touareg2 and ended Mitsubishi's vise-like grip on the rostrum. In fact, if Carlos Sainz hadn't crashed, the Touaregs would have taken all three top spots.

Team Gordon was driving HUMMER H3s, and Robby's third place was joined by teammate Eric Vigoroux's 13th place. For 2010, the team is going to add a third H3 driven by former F1 and IndyCar driver Eliseo Salazar. The 55-year-old Salazar might seem like an unlikely choice, but he is Chilean, and he currently pilots a Mitsubishi in the Chilean Rally Championship. Should the Dakar return to South America next year, he should make a decent addition to the team. Team Gordon just might want to stock up on HUMMER parts before then...

[Source: Team Gordon]

Robby Gordon signs up for the 2010 Dakar, adds a third HUMMER originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dakar rally claims its first casualty

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

The Dakar Rally is famous for its unfortunate history of taking the lives of those who dare to take part in the endurance race, and this year's running is no exception. The body of 49-year-old French motorcyclist Pascal Terry has been found after the rider went missing for three days. Race officials had gone searching for Terry after they received word that his Yamaha motorcycle had run out of fuel. Pascal's body was found in the shade near his motorcycle and he reportedly had abundant food and water. An autopsy revealed that the rider died of a respiratory and cardiac arrest caused by a lung edema. Here's hoping that the rest of the field finishes the rally with no further casualties. Thanks for the tip, Ashutosh.

[Source: The Canberra Times]

Dakar rally claims its first casualty originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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