Dakar 2004

[Martini Focus]

Predictions anyone???
The Schlesser buggies look cool with Focus front and rear lights!! Colin looks like he is going to enjoy this but I think I'll put my money on Mitsubishi.

Mitsubishi Wins
BMW 2nd
Nissan 3rd.

[Logan]

My only prediction is that colin will have a hard time crashing out into a tree since there are so few of them.
But I think he will find one anyway and retire close to the end. He will be caught on film kicking the nissan's tires and having a temper tantrum.
Mitsubishi will win again.

[roooo]

Yet Mitsubishi will still suck as a company because they don't sell any good cars in Canada ;)

[Dave]

lol...yeah, we want the EVO 8!!!

I hope Colin does well...it always seemed like he was somehow getting a raw deal in WRC. They guy just had no luck whatsoever, though I agree he's not always the smartest guy behind the wheel. Sharp as a marble, that guy...

I think the Dakar is one of the most interesting motorsports events in the world. It's such an incredible feat just to complete the race, and it's very cool that indepedents are able to compete alongside the big $ factory teams. I'd love to go do the Dakar someday, right after I win the lottery :)

[ice/solo racer]

I dunno Dave,if I won the lottery I can think of lots of things to do besides filling your shorts for of sand and having locals shot at you on the way by!.;)

[Marsh]

Originally posted by Dave
I think the Dakar is one of the most interesting motorsports events in the world. It's such an incredible feat just to complete the race, and it's very cool that indepedents are able to compete alongside the big $ factory teams. I'd love to go do the Dakar someday, right after I win the lottery :)

Ditto. I'd happily navigate just to experience it some time. Although I would love to do it one of the big trucks. Nothing like doing 100mph over impassible roads in a 20 ton vehicle.

[Nissan Racer]

My vote is for Colin, or Ari.
Ari had a few stage wins last year and has won the Dakar before, but Colin really seems to shine in tough terrain. He made the now defunct African Rally look easy the last time he won it.

[Yvan]

I hope Colin does well...it always seemed like he was somehow getting a raw deal in WRC. They guy just had no luck whatsoever, though I agree he's not always the smartest guy behind the wheel. Sharp as a marble, that guy...I don't think it's about luck. Colin won so many rallies in the past because his style is totally all-or-nothing. The guy has NO fear which sometimes wins him the rally but more often wins him a tree/fence/cliff/rock.

[Yvan]

Nothing like doing 100mph over impassible roads in a 20 ton vehicle. [/B] Until they roll :eek:

[Dave]

Yvan, I understand Colin has an all-or-nothing driving style, but I'm talking more about the number of untimely mechanical failures, blown tires, etc., that he seems to have been saddled with (particularly during his Ford years).

Anyway, he seems to be driving quite conservatively at the Dakar so far and when interviewed he did state his mentality during this rally is totally different so maybe there's some hope he'll make it to the end :) And hey, if nothing else his Nissan truck sounds cool! It's nice to see some more competition for the Mitsus and those fugly Shlesser buggies...

[ADAM]

nissan ...nissan.... all the way :)

[MitS]

Go Jutta!

http://www.touareg-dakar.com/ecards/pics/2004_03_3.jpg

[ADAM]

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/fia-ccr/2004/dak/fiaccr-2004-dak-tm-1155.jpg