AMTRA.com.au

 The 2013 Dakar is due to start on the 5 of Jan; we'll see it on the 6th given where it is run.

 There are 8 riders from Australia taking part this year, the biggest name amongst them being Ben Grabham on a KTM 450.

There are also 2 Aussie cars entered, Isuzu 4X4's.

SBS 1 will show highlights of each day at 5:30 from the 6th of Jan. 

 I didn't check the Quads start list but there is an Aussie there also, a bloke by the name of Paul Smith from Victoria.

This is my favourite tv for the year apart from Bathurst of course. The guy on the quad is he "The Paul Smith?".

No totally different Paul Smith

Spoke to him the other day and he didn't mention competing in Dakar, although it wouldn't surprise me as he's a dam good rider!

Can"t imagine Pauli riding a 4 weeler unless hes put on a bit of pud  ;D

Here's some good videos of Simon Pavey's privateer attempt at Dakar on his 449
http://www.simonpavey.com/videos/

Below is the preview edition that was not on SBS last night at 5:30  >:(

SBS's Dakar coverage does not look like it's going to be as comprehensive as it has been in years past; they use to have a webpage just for Dakar.

http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/543/Dakar-Rally-2013?utm_source=Featured-Programs (http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/543/Dakar-Rally-2013?utm_source=Featured-Programs)

You can find the 1st stage results here

http://www.dakar.com/index_DAKus.html (http://www.dakar.com/index_DAKus.html)

SBS show the 1st stage package at 5:30 this afternoon on SBS1.
 

 Those Husky's look great Nath, will we see one of those tanks on your 449 for next years deeret ride? :P

They look pretty sweet don't they. Ben at firstclass was trying to get the aluminium rear tank last year but unfortunately he wasn't able to make it happen.
The next desert ride i might do on the 640 Adventure!

 Husky's in positions 1 and 3 today, the one that finished 3rd was piloted by Aussie Matt Fish. :)

did ya's see the bloke on the old Bultaco ?? ,  almost jerked a tear watching,  am watching this guy with interest ;D

He attempted the ride last year, on the same bike.  But lack of support (and fitness), saw him retire early.

Hopefully he has a better campaign this year!

 Seven Aussies left on bikes after one didn't finish today and the guy on the old Bultaco... out didn't finisn stage two ??? Why

I see Robbie Gordon's made a messs of it again!!
I bet the Mini teams are pissing themselves after what he's said about them!!
Americans don't do Humility do they.

The American guy Robbie Gordon in the hummer comes across as a wanker, so I enjoyed seeing him on his roof today.

How are all the mini's doing so well? Hilux with a mini shell bolted on?

Hows the size of those dunes, always blows me away especially when they make em look easy.

 Robbie in his Hummer came third today, Go Robbie Go, pitty he's had a bit of bad luck over the last few days.

 Someone sticking it to a frog is doing good in my book.

The Aussies on the bikes are still doing okay, around 20th - 30th positions for a few of them.

As long as someone sticks it to the most despicable frog of all Cyril Despres, then i'll be happy. His display in last years Dakar showed the true quality of this arrogant @#$%!!
Hopefully his bike blows up and he's stuck in the desert for days

 They have been going for seven days now, still six Aussies going on bikes. The best at the moment in 17th overall is Faggettor 42 min and 53 sec behind the leader. Ben Grabham is in 21st 1:11:24 behind. Next of the Aussies is Strange in 35th 2:15:36 behind the leader.

That Paul Smith on the Quad is 13th in class 4:00:09 behind the leader.

In the cars there are still three Aussies going.


Robbie Gordon came third again today, Go Robbie Go.

You can watch todays SBS show, stage 7, here:-

http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/543/Dakar-Rally-2013      (http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/543/Dakar-Rally-2013)

 Nath, it looks like your support of Cyril Despres is paying off.

 Looks like you didn't support Cyril enough today Nath!

I know, not happy  >:( >:( >:(

Looks like the Desert Dugong spoke to soon!! Where are the Yamahas now?? Oh that's right behind a Husky!!! ;D ;D

 Some footage from Robbie's car yesterday after the rain.

 Reminds me of some Central Australia trips :o

http://www.planetrobby.com/video/2013-team-speed-dakar-stage-8 (http://www.planetrobby.com/video/2013-team-speed-dakar-stage-8)

Something else to have a look at, from stage 6, some great photos ;)

http://www.youtube.com/embed/wn59408z05I?feature=player_embedded

Great photos Tim, good to see Ben Grabham in 18th spot, he's the highest placed Aussie!!

Nathan, what are you doing? Despres has had a good day and is in the lead and Grbham has had a bad day and fallen back a way!

Maybe i'd better build a better voodoo doll!! Bad luck for Grabbo, but on the plus side Joan Barreda made up fifteen spots in one day after winning the stage!!! One more day like that and he will be in contention!

 Well done Nath, Despres has had a bad day ;D

 And that Aussie, Paul Smith, has won a stage on his Quad 8)

 Nathan, bad news by almost 11 minutes :(

 Two Aussies in the top 15, herringter, 14th, 2 hours 30:36 min behind the winner and then Ben Grabham, 15th, 2 hours 45:14 min behind the winner.

KTM top five finishers then Yam Hon Hon Yam and a Husky in 10th.

Smith on the Quad was 7th in class 5:46:09 behind the winner.

Robbie finished 14th in the cars, next year will be better, just a bit more luck needed.