TEAM HUMMER - Stage 6 Recap

Iquique, Chile January 8, 2010: Stage 6 was a very disheartening outing for Robby Gordon in his Monster Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER as he experienced what the world’s toughest race can do to a driver. Robby Gordon would end up stuck in the sand, costing him valuable time against the leaders. By the time that Gordon was able to free his HUMMER, it was too late in the stage to make up any more time. The Monster Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER finished the stage in 17th place, more than 49 minutes after stage winner, Stephane Peterhansel. Dropping to sixth place in the overall standings, Gordon is roughly 1 hour and 48 minutes down to the leader, Carlos Sainz.

As disappointing as it may be, Robby Gordon knows that it’s still not over. “Unfortunately, today was a big setback for Team HUMMER. Andy and I got stuck and lost a bunch of time – both in today’s special and overall. This resulted in us dropping in the overall standings; we went from fourth to sixth. We still have a long way to go before the race is over. As disappointed as we are with today’s finish, tomorrow’s special is 600 km and will be the toughest day of the entire Rally. We hope to regain some of today’s lost time.”

For the Vanguard HUMMER, it was a turnaround from what the earlier stages had show for the driver. The Vanguard HUMMER’s driver would take the early lead in the stage. A brake line issue late in the special caused the Vanguard HUMMER to lose his earlier advantage. Regardless, it was a good showing for the Vanguard HUMMER who would end up in the 15th position.

Tomorrow the competitors will enter Stage 7, the longest stages of the entire rally. It will take teams back to Antofagasta from Iquique. Team HUMMER looks to rebound and make up as much time as possible to the leader.

Race Coverage – For fans tracking the Dakar Rally at home, please visit robbygordon.com, planetrobby.com, and Robby Gordon’s twitter page for daily updates on the team’s performance including a daily recap, photos and videos. Versus will provide coverage throughout the United States. A 30-minute daily program featuring highlights from that day’s racing will be aired on Versus daily at 3:30 p.m. with a replay airing later in the day. The show is set to air daily from January 3rd through January 18th, check your local listing for exact show times. A 60-minute recap show featuring all fourteen stages will air on Versus on Sunday, January 24th at 3:00 p.m.