Team Dakar USA Stage 2 Update: Santa Rosa to Puerta Madryn

Buenos Aires, Argentina January 6, 2009: The Monster Energy Toyo Tires Hummer was 17th off the line for the start of stage two. Robby Gordon quickly powered his way through the field, passing several cars very quickly. The day seemed to be in the favor of Team Dakar USA when suddenly a flat tire halted the progress of the Monster Hummer. Upon repair, Gordon and his co-driver Andy Grider continued their charge through the course until they found themselves stuck in the silt.

“The course was very dusty today. In the silt-like area, there was a quad stuck in the middle of the course. I stopped, backed up and got stock,” said Gordon. “Today, we lost some time but as far as I am concerned it was a good special for us. There were no issues with the car, and we are two days in to a 14-day race that will only get tougher,” commented the driver of the No. 309 Monster Energy Toyo Tires Hummer.

Gordon and his co-driver finished the stage in tenth place and are now tenth overall in the rally, 21:32 minutes behind the current leader, Carlos Sainz.

Eric Vigouroux, driver of the Vanguard Hummer, finished 23rd in the special with a time of two hours sixteen minutes and thirty six seconds. The No. 324 now sits in 22nd overall, 42:57 minutes behind the leader.

“It was very dusty today. We drove smart and the car ran great. It was just very difficult to drive fast and pass,” said Vigouroux.

The third stage will start in Puerta Madryn and finish in Jacobacci Argentina. The special will be a tough one, ranging over 600 kilometers. It will be a sign that the competitors have reached the heart of the matter, even though big problems are likely still to come. The entry into Patagonia will be accompanied by a significant change of terrain will need new driving abilities. The Dakar Rally can be seen in the United States on the Versus Network and daily updates will be posted on RobbyGordon.com.