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The
late Kurt Caselli; 1983-2013. (Image source: 4.bp.blogspot.com)
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Yeah, it's time to ring in the new year once
again with the sound of four-strokes, quads, "Cars" and Big Rig
diesel semi's all swirling up the dirt in South America... As this year's
annual Dakar Rally kicks off this Sunday in Rosario, Argentina and arguably the world's
toughest rally, some 5,825-miles long finishes thirteen days later on January
18th with this grueling trek providing only one rest day in-between its
duration.
As typical, news upon the event or its
competitors seems fairly minimal, and thus as always, curiosity leads me to
ponder how many 'Yanks (Americans) are taking part in this year's epic event -
having only heard the name of my "Hero" Robby 'Dirtman Gourdoun
(Gordon) being bandied about, albeit I'd also heard BJ Baldwin's name thrown in
the mix somewheres...
Yet naturally you'd have to think that BMW's
Mini multi-car Armada dubbed "A Basketful of Crabs with Golden Claws"
will be the favourites for victory, while you can never count out the wily
"Desert Fox" Stéphane
Peterhansel to claim another Dakar win, he'll definitely
have his "pinchers" full with Nasser Al-Attiyah having been added to the team along with Nani Roma and Krzysztof Holowczyc scurrying
for the win...
thus what little I've gleaned is that Gordon will once again be the underdog while contesting this year's Dakar in a new slimmer smaller version of his terrorizing "Orange Crush" Hummer while apparently Baldwin will be running in a brand new 2WD 'PickEmUp truck as part of Eric Vigouroux Racing's two (truck) car entry.
Meanwhile in the bikes' category, I recalled
that last year rookie Kurt Caselli deputized for the injured KTM leader Mark
Coma and thus naturally was looking for his name once again and obviously was
saddened to discover that Caselli had died this November 15th whilst contesting
the Baja 1000 - leading the event on his factory KTM bike with less than 100-miles
remaining; as one report I've read claims his team discovered traces of small animals contributing to his unexpected
death - which once again goes to show just how dangerous motor racing is,
especially any form of two wheeled competition.
Thus upon seeing the headline of KTM late
entry Jordi
Villadoms, I correctly 'ARSE-sumed he was Caselli'sreplacement, since as always, the show must go on,
although interestingly this year will see KTM's fiercest challenge yet? As
ex-Factory KTM rider and multiple-times DAKAR winner Cyril Despres
has moved over to spearhead rival Yamaha's efforts aboard its potent YZF450.
And another unknown Yank rider who I cannot
find any info upon named "I'm Jeff, NOT Randy Quade," Hya! Is set to
make his debutant Dakar outing this year aboard a privateer KTM450 for El Martillo Racing, a conglomerate of
'Kuhnaidiun's, Mexicans and American's, as rookie Jeff Quade makes up one third
of the teams contestants who'll also field a buggy and Dodge Durango truck.
And as typical, I'm also ARSE-sumin' that NBC
Sports Network will once again be hosting half-hour vignettes of this year's
Dakar in the 'Wee hours of the night? As hey, Yuhs don't wanna gets in duh way
of "Primetime" Stick 'N Ball sports such as NHL Hockey, right? So
check your local listings as always to
see if there's any television coverage of this epic event upon your 'Telie...