Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Dakar Rally especially dangerous for bikes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/04/dakar-rally-especially-dangerous-for-bikes/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/04/dakar-rally-especially-dangerous-for-bikes/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/04/dakar-rally-especially-dangerous-for-bikes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Quin Cody Dakar crash

There's just no getting around the fact that, despite technological advances and a host of regulations aimed at improving safety, organized racing is a dangerous occupation. We saw it last year with the deaths of Dan Wheldon and Marco Simoncelli - pushing the limits on either two or four wheels is sometimes life threatening.

The Dakar Rally is one of the most dangerous races of all, with more than 58 deaths - 25 competitors plus at least 33 spectators, though official spectator fatalities aren't kept - recorded in 31 races since 1979. Though the 2012 edition has only just begun, it has already suffered its first fatality.

Argentinian rider Jorge Martínez Boero, age 38, died on the very first stage of the 15-day race of cardiac arrest while being transported to a hospital. Boero suffered head and chest injuries after crashing his motorcycle. This was his second Dakar Rally.

A demonstration of how quickly things can go bad can be seen in the video after the break. Quin Cody, a racer for the Factory Honda team, crashed out of the event on January 3, suffering a concussion and broken collarbone. Thankfully, some other competitors stopped for assistance, and Cody ought to make a full recovery.

Continue reading Dakar Rally especially dangerous for bikes

Dakar Rally especially dangerous for bikes originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 dakar rallycrashdakardakar crashdakar rallymotorcycle crashquin codyWed, 04 Jan 2012 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20140227/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/04/dakar-rally-especially-dangerous-for-bikes/20140227/article-detail.xml 20140227 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/dakar-motorcycle-crash_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/dakar-motorcycle-crash.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen sends 40 support vehicles for Dakar Rally]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/20/volkswagen-sends-40-support-vehicles-for-dakar-rally/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/20/volkswagen-sends-40-support-vehicles-for-dakar-rally/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/20/volkswagen-sends-40-support-vehicles-for-dakar-rally/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Volkswagen Amarok

Volkswagen may not be returning to the Dakar Rally next year as a competitor - having already proven everything it has to prove - but don't count on seeing a desert completely bereft of VW badges altogether. That's because the German automaker will still be providing the support vehicles that the race organizers couldn't do without.

This will be the third year running that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be supplying the Dakar's support fleet. This year's comprises some 40 vehicles, including 30 Amarok pickups, specially equipped for the occasion.

Along the way F1 legend Jacky Ickx - who, not incidentally, won the Dakar for Mercedes-Benz in '83 - will be giving off-road racing lessons to those lucky enough. Follow the jump for the press blast as the contestants get ready to blast through the South American deserts themselves starting on New Year's Day.

Continue reading Volkswagen sends 40 support vehicles for Dakar Rally

Volkswagen sends 40 support vehicles for Dakar Rally originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amarokdakardakar rallyvolkswagenvolkswagen amarokTue, 20 Dec 2011 08:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20131378/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/20/volkswagen-sends-40-support-vehicles-for-dakar-rally/20131378/article-detail.xml 20131378 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/amarok-dakar_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/amarok-dakar.jpg <![CDATA[Watch this vintage Porsche 911 channel its Dakar roots]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/07/watch-this-vintage-porsche-911-channel-its-dakar-roots/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/07/watch-this-vintage-porsche-911-channel-its-dakar-roots/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/07/watch-this-vintage-porsche-911-channel-its-dakar-roots/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Porsche 911 hillclimb

We've grown accustomed to seeing all manner of modified machinery power through the sand in an attempt to get to the top of a hill. We're even used to seeing vintage German machinery do the deed... that is, if you count sand rails and buggies built using air-cooled Volkswagen Beetle bits and pieces.

What we're not generally prepared for, however, is a Porsche 911 - considered by many to be the quintessential road-going sports car - joining the motocross bikes, Jeeps and other various four-wheelers at the hill climb. Except for perhaps one place: Dakar. Porsche won the event with a 911 in 1984 and then again in 1986 with the legendary 959.

So, vintage Porsche 911s are clearly up to snuff when it comes to traversing the dunes, so long as they are properly modified to do so. We have no idea what modifications the owner of the 911 has performed other than a cool set of driving lights, but we do know that he made it to the top of a pretty gnarly looking hill.

Watch it go up and back down again the video after the break.

Continue reading Watch this vintage Porsche 911 channel its Dakar roots

Watch this vintage Porsche 911 channel its Dakar roots originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>911959dakarhill climbhillclimbOcotillo Wellsporscheporsche 911 hill climbshell reefWed, 07 Dec 2011 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20123124/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/07/watch-this-vintage-porsche-911-channel-its-dakar-roots/20123124/article-detail.xml 20123124 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/porsche-911-hillclimb_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/porsche-911-hillclimb.jpg <![CDATA[Bentley gearing up to take on Dakar?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/bentley-gearing-up-to-take-on-dakar/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/bentley-gearing-up-to-take-on-dakar/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/bentley-gearing-up-to-take-on-dakar/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Bentley Continental Supersports

Dakar. The very name conjures up images of daring dashes through the brutish desert, running down scorpions and dodging terrorists at full throttle. Not exactly the place you'd expect to find a Bentley, then, but that's what the rumormill is pointing towards today.

Wait a second, you say, Bentley's parent company Volkswagen is already a dominant force in the Dakar rally! And right you are. But now that it's heading to the World Rally Championship, VW isn't expected to return to the iconic desert race. Which leaves it with two options: either mothball the operation it's been cultivating to domination over the past several years and hand victory to one of its erstwhile rivals, or bring in one of its subsidiary divisions.

Okay, makes sense, but why Bentley? Well, the British luxury marque is understood to be preparing to roll out an SUV, and Dakar could be just the place to prove it won't be just some pampered show horse.

The last rumor linking Bentley with a world-class racing series revolved, much like its actual last foray, around Le Mans. But with sister-companies Audi and Porsche gearing up to contest the endurance race next season, this Dakar scenario suddenly doesn't seem so far-fetched.

Bentley gearing up to take on Dakar? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bentleybentley suvdakardakar rally raidsuvMon, 07 Nov 2011 18:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20099800/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/07/bentley-gearing-up-to-take-on-dakar/20099800/article-detail.xml 20099800 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/conti-ss-offroad_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/conti-ss-offroad.jpg <![CDATA[Range Rover Evoque readies for Dakar with BMW power]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/23/range-rover-evoque-readies-for-dakar-with-bmw-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/23/range-rover-evoque-readies-for-dakar-with-bmw-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/23/range-rover-evoque-readies-for-dakar-with-bmw-power/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Land Rover Evoque Dakar

The Land Rover Evoque is headed to participate in the next running of the Dakar Rally with a few necessary modifications. The British Excite Rally Raid Team is planning to take to the sands of South America with three cars shelled in the body of an Evoque. Under the hood, however, the T3 racers will make use of BMW straight-six power. The 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine is good for 275 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque with a ZF six-speed gearbox handling the shifting duties.

Each machine will be built by RaBe Race Cars, which has a long history of churning out Dakar-ready hardware for other teams. All three Evoque bruisers will be campaigned by a fully British crew that includes names like Martin Rowe, Andrew Coley and John Hardy. The 2012 Dakar Rally Raid kicks off on January 1, 2012.

Range Rover Evoque readies for Dakar with BMW power originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dakardakar rallydakar rally raidevoqueexcite rally raid teamland roverland rover evoqueland rover evoque dakarFri, 23 Sep 2011 16:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20050905/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/23/range-rover-evoque-readies-for-dakar-with-bmw-power/20050905/article-detail.xml 20050905 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/land-rover-evoque-dakar-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/land-rover-evoque-dakar-628.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen unlikely to return to Dakar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/28/volkswagen-unlikely-to-return-to-dakar/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/28/volkswagen-unlikely-to-return-to-dakar/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/28/volkswagen-unlikely-to-return-to-dakar/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volkswagen Race Touareg 3

Everything has its cost. And in the case of Volkswagen's new WRC effort, that cost appears to be Dakar.

The German automaker has dominated the famous rally raid for the last three years, but if the latest reports come to pass, VW could be preparing to retire the Race Touareg. Volkswagen, it seems, has nothing left to prove out there on the dunes, and with its focus shifted on the World Rally Championship, a return to Dakar doesn't look to be in the cards.

The news will undoubtably be welcomed by X-Raid, the team operated by Sven Quandt (of the Quandt family that owns BMW) which has campaigned off-road Bimmers and Minis at Dakar for the past several years, and which has come closest to defeating Volkswagen. The team will reportedly be returning to the South American event next year with four of its specially-built Mini Countrymen, and with Volkswagen out of the way, this team looks poised to finally claim the trophy.

Volkswagen unlikely to return to Dakar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dakarrace touaregvolkswagenvolkswagen race touaregvwworld rally championshipwrcTue, 28 Jun 2011 17:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19976868/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/28/volkswagen-unlikely-to-return-to-dakar/19976868/article-detail.xml 19976868 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/racetouareg_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/racetouareg.jpg <![CDATA[Latvian team aims to be first to contest Dakar rally with EV [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/13/latvian-team-aims-to-be-first-to-contest-dakar-rally-with-ev-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/13/latvian-team-aims-to-be-first-to-contest-dakar-rally-with-ev-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/13/latvian-team-aims-to-be-first-to-contest-dakar-rally-with-ev-w/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2012 OSCar eO
2012 OSCar eO - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Dakar Rally covers more than 5,500 miles of rough terrain through some of the harshest conditions in South America. It's hell on both machines and drivers, demanding reliability from high-strung engines and full focus from people running on very little sleep.

The strains are enough to kill even the stoutest internal combustion engines and make veteran drivers crack. Despite all that, Latvian race car builder OSCar has decided to tackle the race in an EV. Powered by a permanent magnet motor making between 180 and 315 kW with between 370 and 590 lb. ft. of torque, the OSCar eO is an electrified version of the company's Chevrolet LS-powered e3.

The eO's top speed is a slightly underwhelming 86 miles per hour, but OSCar says the top speed won't be an issue since it won't be competing against conventionally-fueled entries.

OSCar says the eO will have a small, Nissan-sourced gasoline engine serving as a generator to help it cover long distances, but propulsion will be 100 percent electric. Helping the generator charge the batteries will be a regenerative braking system. Without the generator's help, OSCar expects the e0 to be good for about 190 miles under light strain, and roughly half that under pressure.

To make sure the EV makes it from one end of the rally to the other, OSCar is sending along a support truck and an gas-powered e3 to make sure the car makes it to the finish in one piece. Watch for the OSCar eO when the 2012 Dakar Rally kicks off on January 1. Check out the video and press release after the break.


Gallery: 2012 OSCar eO

2012 OSCar eO2012 OSCar eO2012 OSCar eO2012 OSCar eO2012 OSCar eO

[Source: OSCar]

Continue reading Latvian team aims to be first to contest Dakar rally with EV [w/video]

Latvian team aims to be first to contest Dakar rally with EV [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dakardakar evdakar rallymaris saukansoscaroscar eoWed, 13 Apr 2011 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19907219/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/13/latvian-team-aims-to-be-first-to-contest-dakar-rally-with-ev-w/19907219/article-detail.xml 19907219 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/oscar-o3-02-lead-1302279890_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/oscar-o3-02-lead-1302279890.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen celebrates hat-trick victory in Dakar Rally]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/18/volkswagen-celebrates-hat-trick-victory-in-dakar-rally/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/18/volkswagen-celebrates-hat-trick-victory-in-dakar-rally/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/18/volkswagen-celebrates-hat-trick-victory-in-dakar-rally/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volkswagen on the podium in Dakar
Volskwagen claims victory in the Dakar Rally - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen has plenty to celebrate this year in the deserts of South America. The German team claimed its second consecutive podium lock-out and its third consecutive overall victory in the brutal Dakar Rally. But if you think it was business as usual, take a look at who took the winner's trophy - Qatari national Nasser Al-Attiyah is the first Arab to win the desert rally in its 33-year history.

All four of teams of the new Race Touareg 3 not only finished the race - which is more than could be said of the new X-Raid Mini Countryman - but they took four out of the top six spots, with American driver Mark Miller coming in sixth behind two of X-Raid's BMW X3s. The Star-Spangled Banner was held just as high, though, by the team of Sue Mead and Darren Skilton who took the OP class trophy north to the United States behind the wheel of their Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.

Unfortunately, this year's rally wasn't all fun and games, and sadly claimed a life in the process: according to reports, an Argentinean Toyota team struck the vehicle of non-competing motorist, killing the victim and prompting local officials to conduct an inquiry to establish the circumstances. For the full press release on this year's Dakar events, follow the jump.


Gallery: Volkswagen wins 2011 Dakar Rally


[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen celebrates hat-trick victory in Dakar Rally

Volkswagen celebrates hat-trick victory in Dakar Rally originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 dakar rallyal-attiyahattiyahdakardakar rallynasser al-attiyahrallyvolkswagenvolkswagen race touareg 3Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19805003/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/18/volkswagen-celebrates-hat-trick-victory-in-dakar-rally/19805003/article-detail.xml 19805003 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/web630-62796vw-vw-110117-0586_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/web630-62796vw-vw-110117-0586.jpg <![CDATA[X-Raid Mini Countryman reportedly crashes out of Dakar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/10/x-raid-mini-countryman-reportedly-crashes-out-of-dakar/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/10/x-raid-mini-countryman-reportedly-crashes-out-of-dakar/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/10/x-raid-mini-countryman-reportedly-crashes-out-of-dakar/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


X-Raid Mini Countryman All4 Racing - Click above for high-res image gallery

So much for the maxi Mini. The X-Raid Countryman rally raider, whose development we've been following from the get-go, was forced out of the Dakar rally over the weekend, ending the rally-prepped Mini's campaign even faster than it started.

With French rally driver Guerlain Chicherit behind the wheel, the Mini Dakar had gotten up as high as ninth place overall by the sixth stage on Friday. But when the convoy came to a rest on Saturday, Chicherit took the opportunity to get in some practice runs and reportedly got into a big crash that sent the car tumbling end-over-end. Chicherit sustained a minor head injury, as rally medical personnel monitored his condition at the on-site medical center.

While the Mini is out of the running, this year's rally is far from over for the X-Raid team as one of their BMWs - driven by Stephane Peterhansel - is running third behind the Volkswagens of Carlos Sainz and Nasser Al-Attiyah.


Gallery: X-Raid Mini All4 Racing

X-Raid Mini All4 Racing

[Source: Autosport]

X-Raid Mini Countryman reportedly crashes out of Dakar originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dakarminimini countrymanmini dakarx-raidX-Raid Mini All4 RacingX-Raid Mini Countryman All4 RacingMon, 10 Jan 2011 13:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19794398/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/10/x-raid-mini-countryman-reportedly-crashes-out-of-dakar/19794398/article-detail.xml 19794398 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/mini-all4-xraid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/mini-all4-xraid.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Carlos Sainz and VW lead Dakar through two stages]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/04/report-carlos-sainz-and-vw-lead-dakar-through-two-stages/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/04/report-carlos-sainz-and-vw-lead-dakar-through-two-stages/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/04/report-carlos-sainz-and-vw-lead-dakar-through-two-stages/#commentsFiled under: ,

Carlos Sainz leads the 2011 Dakar in his VW Touareg race truck

The 2011 Dakar Rally is only two stages old, but there's already a big-time force at the top of the leader board. CNN reports that defending Dakar champion and Volkswagen driver Carlos Sainz has put the pedal to the metal to win the first two events and is leading BMW driver Stephane Peterhansel by a substantial three minutes, five seconds. Sainz's Touareg race truck whooped on the competition in the 324 kilometer second stage with a one minute, three second lead over teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah. Sainz managed the impressive stage despite consistent issues with his windscreen wiper blades. Sainz claims the problem forced him to slow down for 12 kilometers since his vision was so compromised. In total, the Dakar rally stretches 13 stages and 9,500 kilometers. Today's stage is 500 kilometers from San Miguel de Tucuman to San Salvador de Jujuy.

Sainz isn't the only former champ faring well at Dakar. Three-time motorcycle champ Cyril Despres is having his way with the two-wheeled competition, as the talented pro took his second straight stage. Despres leads Marc Coma of Spain by two minutes 35 seconds.

[Source: CNN | Image: Stephane Mantey/Associated Press]

Report: Carlos Sainz and VW lead Dakar through two stages originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmw dakarcarlos sainzcyril despresdakardakar rally 2011stephane peterhanselvolkswagen dakarTue, 04 Jan 2011 15:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19785353/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/04/report-carlos-sainz-and-vw-lead-dakar-through-two-stages/19785353/article-detail.xml 19785353 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/carlos-sainz-dakar-2011-vw_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/carlos-sainz-dakar-2011-vw.jpg <![CDATA[First photos of X-Raid Mini Countryman Dakar rally machine emerge]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/13/first-photos-of-x-raid-mini-countryman-dakar-rally-machine-emerg/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/13/first-photos-of-x-raid-mini-countryman-dakar-rally-machine-emerg/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/13/first-photos-of-x-raid-mini-countryman-dakar-rally-machine-emerg/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

X-Raid Mini Countryman
X-Raid Mini Countryman All4 Racing - Click above for high-res images

Some vehicles take longer to develop than others, but this has got to be one of the quickest turn-arounds we've seen yet.

When we reported just last week that the X-Raid rally team was preparing a version of the Mini Countryman to take to Dakar, they'd only been working on it for less than a month, but already had what looked like a pretty comprehensive rendering of what the final product would look like. And they weren't kidding: mere days later, the first batch of images have already popped up showing the Dakar-spec Mini looking pretty darn near ready to tackle the South American countryside.

If this isn't the most badass Mini Countryman to date, we don't know what is.


Gallery: X-Raid Mini All4 Racing

X-Raid Mini All4 Racing

[Source: X-Raid via MotoringFile]

First photos of X-Raid Mini Countryman Dakar rally machine emerge originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all4 racingcountrymandakarminiMini Countrymanx-raidX-Raid Mini Countryman All4 RacingMon, 13 Dec 2010 11:26:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19757931/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/13/first-photos-of-x-raid-mini-countryman-dakar-rally-machine-emerg/19757931/article-detail.xml 19757931 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/web630-mini-all4-racing-001_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/web630-mini-all4-racing-001.jpg <![CDATA[X-Raid previews Mini All4 for Dakar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/07/x-raid-previews-mini-all4-for-dakar/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/07/x-raid-previews-mini-all4-for-dakar/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/07/x-raid-previews-mini-all4-for-dakar/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

v
X-Raid Mini All4 Racing - Click above for full-size image

Mini is going to Dakar, or at least the 2011 Dakar Argentina-Chile race. Monster Energy has partnered up with the X-Raid Team to bring a diesel-powered Mini Countryman to the sands of South America in just 90 days. The team started on the project last month, and the reworked Countryman has to be in Argentina before the New Year. Between now and then are hours of wrenching and a few shake-down runs in France on December 13 and 14.

X-Raid has previously campaigned a BMW X3CC, helping the team to nab three FIA World Cup titles for cross country racing, and last year the vehicle helped the team walk away with fourth and fifth place finishes in the 2010 Argentina-Chile race. To that end, the team will be using a turbo-diesel engine borrowed from the bad Bimmer. With 315 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque, the engine brings a substantial bump in power to the table while using the same architecture as the lump found in the 2010 X3CC.

Switching to the Countryman has a number of benefits, including better handling from the vehicle's lower center of gravity and shorter wheelbase, though the team says that ingress and egress is a little more complicated compared to the BMW. Look for the Mini All4 Racing during this year's Argentina-Chile this January.

[Source: X-Raid]

X-Raid previews Mini All4 for Dakar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 dakarargentina-chilecountrymandakardakar 2011minimini all4 racingmini countrymanparis-dakarX-RaidX-Raid TeamTue, 07 Dec 2010 19:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19750539/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/07/x-raid-previews-mini-all4-for-dakar/19750539/article-detail.xml 19750539 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/mini-dakar-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/mini-dakar-630.jpg <![CDATA[KTM 990 Adventure Dakar set to bow at EICMA]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/ktm-adventure-990-dakar-set-to-bow-at-eicma/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/ktm-adventure-990-dakar-set-to-bow-at-eicma/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/ktm-adventure-990-dakar-set-to-bow-at-eicma/#commentsFiled under:

KTM 990 Adventure Dakar
KTM 990 Adventure Dakar - Click above to enlarge

KTM has decided to commemorate the company's outright domination of the infamous Paris-Dakar race with a new special edition bike. Called the Adventure 990 Dakar, the moto looks to be little more than a paint and graphics package. Along with the love-it-or-leave-it blue-and-orange livery, the KTM will also wear engine protection bars should you decide to put the 990 through its paces in your own cross-desert bash. Otherwise, the engine, suspension and the like all look to be much the same as the standard iteration of the bike (not necessarily a bad thing, for what it's worth...), though we're promised more specifics soon.

Interestingly enough, the 990 isn't the actual machine that KTM campaigns in Paris-Dakar, er Argentina-Chile, these days. Most of its recent wins were accomplished with mounts under 700cc, and with the new 450cc engine regulation in place, word has it the Austrian bike manufacturer is set to pull the sheets off a new 450 Rally. Both that bike and the Adventure 990 Dakar are slated for an unveil at EICMA next week. Keep your eyes peeled for more information.

[Sources: Motorbiker, Hell For Leather]

KTM 990 Adventure Dakar set to bow at EICMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>990 adventureadventure 990 dakardakareicmaktmktm 990 adventurektm adventure 990 dakarparis-dakarThu, 28 Oct 2010 09:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19692295/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/10/28/ktm-adventure-990-dakar-set-to-bow-at-eicma/19692295/article-detail.xml 19692295 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/ktm-990-adventure-dakar_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/ktm-990-adventure-dakar.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen unveils Race Touareg 3 for 2011 Dakar Rally duty]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/24/volkswagen-unveils-race-touareg-3-for-2011-dakar-rally-duty/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/24/volkswagen-unveils-race-touareg-3-for-2011-dakar-rally-duty/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/24/volkswagen-unveils-race-touareg-3-for-2011-dakar-rally-duty/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen has had great success with its diesel-powered Race Touareg 2, earning wins in both the 2009 and 2010 Dakar Rally. For the 2011 event, however, a brand new race truck will be entered, mimicking the changes made to the road-going Volkswagen Touareg for the 2011 model year.

Cosmetically, the Race Touareg 3 gets new LED running lamps up front, as well as a new grille, rear clamshell, window line and a different set of 16-inch wheels wrapped in 235/85 BF Goodrich tires. It still looks mean as ever, and new improvements to the roof-mounted cooling systems won't affect airflow at higher speeds out on the dunes.

Power will still come from a twin-turbocharged 2.5-liter TDI engine, producing 296 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. Volkswagen says that the diesel powerplant has been tweaked to give slightly better fuel economy without sacrificing power, and the Race Touareg 3 will be capable of reaching 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in just 6.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 117 mph.

Will the Race Touareg 3 be able to secure another win for Volkswagen in the 2011 Dakar Rally? We'll have to wait until next year to find out. Hit the jump to read Volkswagen's official press release and scroll through the gallery below for high-res shots of the new race truck.


Gallery: Volkswagen Race Touareg 3


[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen unveils Race Touareg 3 for 2011 Dakar Rally duty

Volkswagen unveils Race Touareg 3 for 2011 Dakar Rally duty originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dakardakar rallyDakarRallyrace touaregrace touareg 3RaceTouaregRaceTouareg3Touaregvolkswagenvolkswagen race touaregvolkswagen race touareg 3Volkswagen TouaregVolkswagenRaceTouaregVolkswagenRaceTouareg3VolkswagenTouaregvwTue, 24 Aug 2010 09:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19604911/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/08/24/volkswagen-unveils-race-touareg-3-for-2011-dakar-rally-duty/19604911/article-detail.xml 19604911 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/dakartouareg630opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/dakartouareg630opt.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 teased, confirmed and under development]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/07/volkswagen-race-touareg-3-teased-confirmed-and-under-developmen/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/07/volkswagen-race-touareg-3-teased-confirmed-and-under-developmen/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/07/volkswagen-race-touareg-3-teased-confirmed-and-under-developmen/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 teaser - Click above for high-res image

While the latter years of the Dakar rally (when it was actually held in Dakar) may have belonged to the Mitsubishi Pajero, in the past two years since the premiere rally-raid event was moved from its namesake in North Africa to South America, Volkswagen has dominated with its Race Touareg. But if the German automaker hopes to make it a hat-trick, warned their winning driver Carlos Sainz (a two-time World Rally Champion to boot), they'd need a significantly improved vehicle.

Our spy photographers caught a glimpse of the new Race Touareg undergoing testing in the Alps last month, and although they've only released this singulae teaser image, Volkswagen has now confirmed the vehicle's development.

Dubbed (predictably enough) the Race Touareg 3, the new rally-raid machine closely follows the mechanical formula laid out by the victorious Race Touareg 2, but will sport some vital improvements. These will principally center around the aerodynamics, picking up design cues from the new production Touareg 2 along the way.

Desert testing is slated to commence later this month in Morocco, after which the Race Touareg 3 will endure its first real trial by fire in campaigning the Silk Way Rally across Russia in September before hitting the Dakar Rally next January. Official press release after the jump.


Gallery: Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 Spy Shots


[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 teased, confirmed and under development

Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 teased, confirmed and under development originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dakarrace touareg 3RaceTouareg3rally raidRallyRaidvolkswagenvolkswagen race touaregvolkswagen race touareg 3volkswagen touaregVolkswagenRaceTouaregVolkswagenRaceTouareg3VolkswagenTouaregWed, 07 Jul 2010 09:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19543356/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/07/volkswagen-race-touareg-3-teased-confirmed-and-under-developmen/19543356/article-detail.xml 19543356 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/vw-100706-1056web_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/vw-100706-1056web.jpg <![CDATA[Yes, that's a dirt bike flying over an airborne Dakar truck]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/19/yes-thats-a-dirt-bike-flying-over-a-jumping-dakar-truck/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/19/yes-thats-a-dirt-bike-flying-over-a-jumping-dakar-truck/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/19/yes-thats-a-dirt-bike-flying-over-a-jumping-dakar-truck/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bike jump
One jump to rule them all - Click above for high-res image gallery

Having one cool ride jump an (arguably) even cooler one while the latter is also midair seems like a righteous idea to us. Fortunately, Red Bull teamed up with a couple of insane Russians to make it happen. FMX rider Alexey Kolesnikov got it into his mind that he wanted to jump a Kamaz Master Dakar Truck, but it wasn't enough to simply hop the thing while it had all four tires planted on terra firma. He wanted the 8.5-ton beast to be doing a jeté of its own at the same time.

That's when driver Vladimir Chagin stepped in to help out. The two came together to oversee the construction of four ramps built from 500 tons of earth. The Dakar bruiser would hit an eight foot jump and sail through the air for a total of 28 feet, while Kolesnikov would launch from a nine-foot ramp and land 69 feet away. Now, here's the tricky part. Chagin had to hit his jump at exactly 40 mph so that Kolesnikov would be able to clear the side of the truck. As you can tell from the photos, great things ensued.


Gallery: Red Bull Kamaz Dakar Truck Jump


[Source: Red Bull via Hell For Leather]

Yes, that's a dirt bike flying over an airborne Dakar truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DakarDakar Truck JumpDakarTruckJumpJumpKamazKamaz Dakar TruckKamaz JumpKamazDakarTruckKamazJumpSat, 19 Jun 2010 19:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19520517/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/06/19/yes-thats-a-dirt-bike-flying-over-a-jumping-dakar-truck/19520517/article-detail.xml 19520517 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/01-jump-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/01-jump-630.jpg <![CDATA[Eco Unfriendly: Dakar 2010 caused 570K of damage in Chile]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/17/eco-unfriendly-dakar-2010-caused-570k-of-damage-in-chile/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/17/eco-unfriendly-dakar-2010-caused-570k-of-damage-in-chile/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/17/eco-unfriendly-dakar-2010-caused-570k-of-damage-in-chile/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Despite the best efforts of racing organizations the world over to clean up their image, it's pretty tough to consider any kind of motorsport squeaky clean. Apparently, that's especially true of the recent Dakar rally in South America. Besides the expected burning of fossil fuels and the emissions associated with it, the National Monuments Council (NMC) of Chile reports that the off-road race caused roughly $570,000 (300 million pesos) of damage to 56 of the country's 111 heritage sites.

Further, the NMC says that 13 of those heritage sites suffered from lost archeological data. Apparently, this isn't the first such instance of collateral damage during the Dakar race. Last year, a similar report was filed by the NMC, and the organization is again asking that the rally organizers pay these costs.

For what it's worth, such damage was not unexpected. Late last year, the NMC drafted a detailed report of expected damage to the sites it monitors. Next year, though, the NMC is hoping that its report, which will be completed this August in anticipation of the event early in 2011, will be handed out to rally participants so they know where to tread especially lightly.

[Source: Moto-Net via Motorbiker | Image: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images]

Eco Unfriendly: Dakar 2010 caused 570K of damage in Chile originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 May 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chiledakarDakar 2010dakar damagedakar environmental damagedakar racedakar rallydakar-rallyDakar2010DakarDamageDakarEnvironmentalDamageDakarRaceDakarRallynational monuments councilNationalMonumentsCouncilMon, 17 May 2010 17:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19476090/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/17/eco-unfriendly-dakar-2010-caused-570k-of-damage-in-chile/19476090/article-detail.xml 19476090 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/vw-dakar_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/vw-dakar.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Dakar imposters busted with 800+ kilos of cocaine in faux rally truck]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/report-dakar-imposters-busted-with-800-kilos-of-cocaine-in-fau/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/report-dakar-imposters-busted-with-800-kilos-of-cocaine-in-fau/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/report-dakar-imposters-busted-with-800-kilos-of-cocaine-in-fau/#commentsFiled under: ,



Smugglers are, by nature, a crafty bunch. Slaves to the market forces of supply and demand, drug runners risk liberty and limb to pedal their life-ruining wares around the world. Doing so requires a healthy helping of creativity, so it should come as no surprise that an Ibiza-based drug ring tried to use a fake Paris-Dakar support truck to move vast sums of drugs from Argentina to the Spanish port of Bilbao.

The intrepid smugglers bought a truck, gave it a race livery and a crew, complete with matching uniforms, and shipped the whole thing to a farm that was situated close to the Paris-Dakar course. Here's where it gets fun. They then proceeded to pack hidden compartments with 814 kilos of cocaine, 15,000 ecstasy tablets, 4.5 kilos of hashish and $64,000 in cold hard cash. Evidently that wasn't enough to bribe the authorities when the whole thing returned to Bilbao, though, as the operation got pinched by the man.

A total of seven people have been detained in connection with the attempted smuggling plot, and if authorities can get any of the charges to stick, you can bet they won't be seeing daylight for a long, long time.

[Source: FoxSports - sub. req. | Image: Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty]

Report: Dakar imposters busted with 800+ kilos of cocaine in faux rally truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArgentinaDakarDrugsParis-DakarParis-Dakar Support TrickParis-dakarSupportTrickSmugglingSupport TruckSupportTruckThu, 15 Apr 2010 09:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19439427/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/04/15/report-dakar-imposters-busted-with-800-kilos-of-cocaine-in-fau/19439427/article-detail.xml 19439427 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/dakar-support-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/dakar-support-630.jpg <![CDATA[Carlos Sainz victorious as Volkswagen fills the podium at Dakar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/19/carlos-sainz-victorious-as-volkswagen-fills-the-podium-at-dakar/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/19/carlos-sainz-victorious-as-volkswagen-fills-the-podium-at-dakar/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/19/carlos-sainz-victorious-as-volkswagen-fills-the-podium-at-dakar/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Carlos Sainz wins the 2010 Dakar Rally for VW - Click above for high-res image gallery

When we joined Volkswagen on its first run in the Baja 500 back in 2008, the diesel-powered Race Touareg 2 suffered two lengthy breakdowns before the first hundred miles had passed. Just a few months, later VW's diesel runner was taking the top two spots in the Dakar Rally. Not content with having to share the podium with Robby Gordon, VW went ahead and took the top three spots in this year's Dakar.

Two-time World Rally Championship winner Carlos Sainz can now add a Dakar trophy to his cabinet. Avoiding the kind of mistakes that took him out of the race last year on the 12th stage, Sainz held on to win by just two minutes and 12 seconds over VW driver Nasser Al-Attiyah, even though Al-Attiyah won twice as many stages. Giniel de Villiers, last year's winner, was in the third VW, 32 minutes behind Al-Attiyah.

You can read the presser on VW's win-win-win after the jump, and check out the action in the gallery of high-res photos below. On a side note, VW Group diesels have now won Le Mans (Audi, Bentley), the Dakar Rally, and the World Touring Car Championship (Seat). Maybe now's a good time to reconsider whether we really want them in NASCAR or F1...


Gallery: Carlos Sainz wins the 2010 Dakar Rally


[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Carlos Sainz victorious as Volkswagen fills the podium at Dakar

Carlos Sainz victorious as Volkswagen fills the podium at Dakar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlos sainzCarlosSainzdakarDakar 2010dakar rallyDakar2010DakarRallymark millarmark millerMarkMillarMarkMillermotorsportsNasser Al-AttiyahNasserAl-attiyahoff road racingoff road rallyOffRoadRacingOffRoadRallyrallyrallyingSainzTDITouaregVWTue, 19 Jan 2010 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19321412/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/19/carlos-sainz-victorious-as-volkswagen-fills-the-podium-at-dakar/19321412/article-detail.xml 19321412 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/sainzdakar1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/sainzdakar1.jpg <![CDATA[New QT Wildcats promise tube-framed filthy good times]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/15/new-qt-wildcats-promise-tube-framed-filthy-good-times/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/15/new-qt-wildcats-promise-tube-framed-filthy-good-times/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/15/new-qt-wildcats-promise-tube-framed-filthy-good-times/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

QT Wildcat 500DKR - click above for high-res image gallery

Quite a long time ago, we told you about the Bowler "Race" Rovers. As it turns out, about 18 months ago, these Race Rovers (actually called Wildcats) were sold to another British company, QT Services. The Wildcats have been busy: aside from being sold to new owners, a Jaguar-engined 500DKR Wildcat placed third in Egypt's treacherous Pharaoh's Rally.

What's a Wildcat? You can think of them as an extreme crossover vehicle of sorts - specifically the least hardcore of the three model lineup, the 300STR. It's a crossover in the same way that a Porsche Cayenne is a crossover. Full of capability on both the street and the dirt. Though we would imagine that the Wildcat 300STR might be a touch more capable than the Porker...

All three Wildcats feature a lightweight, tubular spaceframe chassis with fiberglass bodies. The three models go up only in off-road prowess - in order they are the aforementioned 300STR, the medium duty 400NSR and the hardcore, Pharaoh's Rally running 500DKR. If you didn't guess, DKR is an abbreviation of "Dakar."

The 300STR is the street legal one of the bunch. As such, it's available with air conditioning, some form of audio system and even a place to stow your golf bag. Notice we didn't say "bags." The next level up 400NSR has been developed for smaller events like the British Cross Country Championship or the French Tout Terrain series. It's not street legal, but it's not an out-and-out thug like the 500DKR, either.

Speaking of the 500DKR, it's the self-described "jewel" in QT's "crown." Whereas the less extreme Wildcats featured Rover's tired tried-and-true 4.0-liter V8, the 500DKR gets a previous-gen Jaguar petrol motor good for 285 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. Everything else on the 500 DKR has been "ruggedised" to the Nth degree. It also sounds like if you write a large enough check, QT will build you whatever you like. As they put it, "Options are available to make this car a serious contender for international honours." Indeed. Press release after the jump, high-res images below.


Gallery: QT WIldcat


[Source: QT Services | Images: Richard Streeton]

Continue reading New QT Wildcats promise tube-framed filthy good times

New QT Wildcats promise tube-framed filthy good times originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>300STR400NSR500DKRbowlerbowler 4x4Bowler wildcatBowler4x4BowlerWildcatDakarDakar RallyDakarRallyPharaohs RallyPharaohsRallyQTQT 300STRQT 400NSRQT 500DKRQT WildcatQT WIldcat 300STRQT WIldcat 400NSRQT WIldcat 500DKRQt300strQt400nsrQt500dkrQtWildcatQtWildcat300strQtWildcat400nsrQtWildcat500dkrRallyWildcatFri, 15 Jan 2010 16:55:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19318725/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/15/new-qt-wildcats-promise-tube-framed-filthy-good-times/19318725/article-detail.xml 19318725 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/630qtw_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/630qtw.jpg -1 2