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 The Dakar has started for another year, again in South America.

If you want to see the days video tune into SBS at 6PM every night or if you’re like me don't wait for 6 and go to the SBS website and watch the footage there.

http://www.sbs.com.au/dakar/ (http://www.sbs.com.au/dakar/)

And for those really keen and want more info there is the Dakar website ;)

http://www.dakar.com/us/DAKAR/2010/live.html  (http://www.dakar.com/us/DAKAR/2010/live.html)

Tim and others,
   As a point of interest the Dakar course is available as a tour. Bikes and accommodation etc. supplied. If there is an interest I will provide the contact details.
   Phil R.

Phil, don't worry there is interest just a severe lack of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ :'(

I'm sure a trip like that would not be cheap :o 

Every second of the Dakar programmed to be recorded on fox sports 1 & 2 at the touch of 1 button!! so i wont miss a stage.
I love my Foxtel iq

Aussies placing in the Dakar after three stages.

Garland in the cars is in 20th outright, 2hrs26min38 sec behind the leader. He's in a Isuzu ute, last year he finished 11th in the race.

On the bikes there are three Aussies having a go.

Pollard (No 122) in 58th outright on a KTM 3hrs24min3sec behind the leader of the bikes. I'm fairly sure this is his first attempt at a Dakar.

Barriere Varju (No 121) a French guy who now calls Australia home also on a KTM. He's currently in 66th outright 4hrs36min19sec.

Connell (No 117) who looks to be out of the race. He started stage three and got to check point 1 but didn't make it to check point 2. He rides a Husaberg ::) and I think it was the only one in the Dakar.
     

More reading;

http://www.sbs.com.au/sport/blog/single/115397/The-Fiambala-dunes-%E2%80%93-Hell-on-earth (http://www.sbs.com.au/sport/blog/single/115397/The-Fiambala-dunes-%E2%80%93-Hell-on-earth)

Don't miss the footage of the bikes today, it's great.

I can supply cheap tyres !!!!!

Hey Pete, PLEASE try to better Tim's avatar !!! :o :o :o

I have used that one before but got told to take it off, lets see  what happens.
PS: Don't worry , i've got heaps of better ones than that ripper.
This is a preview of one of the best ones i have. I won't make them move , cos it will just stuff you up in the head forever.

Word of advice. If you want to ride the course - Skip day 4.

The Aussie Berg team headed by Garry Connell and spannered by Ritchie Nyhouse (workshop manager @ Valley Force Berg) had good go until GC missed too many checkpoints.

http://rallybackstage.wordpress.com/ (http://rallybackstage.wordpress.com/)

Hey Paul..That avatar is um...mesmerising.

January has been designated AMTRA cleavage month. Feel free to display an avatar that might bring some joy to the world (or at least the dirty old me out there).

I'm shocked and sadened that this is amtra's cleavage month :o :o............It should be all year ;D ;D ;D
Evo

So when our female members use some avatar of a male stripper we wont get upset will we ?

..................should have bought a Yamaha!!!

As long as they've got better figures than you or I !

If you want to change your avatar to a schlong - go for it. (Just don't be surprised if people stand an extra couple of feet away from you at the next meeting)  :-*

 

Back to the topic.

Some interesting numbers from the race;

Numbers of bikes that started by brand compared to finished.

151 Starters         88 Finishers       Percentage Failed
   
   

KTM        78     KTM        46         41%
YAMAHA     27     YAMAHA     18         33%
HONDA      23     HONDA      15         35%
BMW         6     BMW         2         66%
APRILIA     5     APRILIA     3         40%
SHERCO      5     SHERCO      1         80%
BETA        2     BETA        0        100%
JINCHENG    2     JINCHENG    2          0%
HUSABERG    1     HUSABERG    0        100%
HUSQVARNA   1     HUSQVARNA   1          0%
PKL         1     PKL         0        100%

Still looks like if you want a reliable bike buy Japanese or maybe Chinese!

Nee how!

 ;D