2006 Dakar photo goldmine

[RL Lemke]

I have finally stumbled onto a site which sells photos to the participants of this years Dakar Rally. Below are some links to the photos of the guys driving the Toyota Landcruiser, which is essentially the same as our 4Runners.

For those of you which don't know the Dakar Rally is the most difficult off-road event in the world. Held each year starting on New Years day, the start is in Europe and ends in Africa. Typically in Dakar. Participating in Dakar is like competing in the Baja 500 or 1000 every day for two weeks. For 2006 the rally was a 9043km event thru seven countries.

http://www.dakar.com/indexus.html

What I did was to look-up the participant number for entries which indicated a Toyota Landcruiser on the Dakar site. Then, I copied the number on the photo search location on this photo site: http://www.maindruphoto.com/

There were a number of Americans at this years rally. Some did quite well. Too darn bad that we get such poor coverage on OLN, and none elsewhere. In Europe it gets the best coverage, better than any oother motorized event.

http://www.maindruphoto.com/maindruweb/2048/viewImageList.asp?ref=intro

http://www.maindruphoto.com/maindruweb/2048/viewImageList.asp?ref=intro

http://www.maindruphoto.com/maindruweb/2048/viewImageList.asp?ref=intro

http://www.maindruphoto.com/maindruweb/2048/viewImageList.asp?ref=intro

http://www.maindruphoto.com/maindruweb/2048/viewImageList.asp?ref=intro

http://www.dakarteam.com/es/dakarteam.htm

http://www.maindruphoto.com/maindruweb/2048/viewImageList.asp?ref=intro

 

[RL Lemke]

I'm not sure whether this is a 2005 or 2006 photo.

 

[AlexJet]

I'm not sure whether this is a 2005 or 2006 photo.

#332 in 2006 was Mercedes ML

 

[RL Lemke]

Here are the participant numbers which indicate Landcruiser:
352
373
389
400
401
402
440
441
449
471

In deed, the creek crossing photo appears to be from last year. Good one all the same. I found it on a site from Japan.

 

[teotwaki]

#332 in 2006 was Mercedes ML

I was trolling through the race photos and in 2005 the vehicle was a Toyota.

That website is fun. :zoom:

 

[RL Lemke]

Mitsubishi brings their purpose built cars to the African rallies. I did notice that BFG supplied the tires to most of the cars at this years Dakar.

 

[RL Lemke]

How would you like to be on a motorcycle or in even a 4Runner, and one of these trucks appears over the crest of a dune - right above you?

The capabilities of these trucks is down right amazing.

 

[RL Lemke]

Of the 747 participants in this years rally, only 193 finished. This year two children spectators and one participant died. Last year there were far too many participant deaths, which caused numerous rule changes for 2006.

Here is the quote: "Sunday's final stage was a somber affair. It took place as an untimed section as a mark of respect for the 10-year-old and 14-year-old boys who perished as well as Andy Caldecott, the Australian motorcyclist killed after a fall in Mauritania."

 

[RL Lemke]

Robby Gordon's website photos for the 2006 Dakar.

While many consider Robby to have a HUGE ego, and difficult to endure, he does bring American sponsors to the Dakar. For that I am very appreciative.

http://www.robbygordon.com/cgi-bin/... Try the portion getting you to Robby's site.

 

[AlexJet]

Robby Gordon's website photos for the 2006 Dakar.

While many consider Robby to have a HUGE ego, and difficult to endure, he does bring American sponsors to the Dakar. For that I am very appreciative.

http://www.robbygordon.com/cgi-bin/...AD/05_RALLY_RACING/DAKAR_2006]RobbyGordon.com

 

[AlexJet]

Hammer for Dakar H1 probably can make it to the end, but H3...it's a toy for children. My stock 4Runner will perform better then H3 and it's proven on trails. With a lift 4Runner can bit H2 and with some severe modifications H1. From another point of view they are T3 (sport prototype) and there is nothing left from H3 except grille, lights and "the look". Just my personal opinion.

 

[OUTRNNR]

Hammer for Dakar H1 probably can make it to the end, but H3...it's a toy for children. My stock 4Runner will perform better then H3 and it's proven on trails. With a lift 4Runner can bit H2 and with some severe modifications H1. From another point of view they are T3 (sport prototype) and there is nothing left from H3 except grille, lights and "the look". Just my personal opinion.

I'm not so sure about a stock 4Runner being able to out-wheel an H3...Save for the less powerful engine (which doesn't matter wheeling if you have a low range) the H3 is a very respectable 4x4. Read about it here...

http://trucktrend.com/roadtests/suv/163_0510_4x4challenge/index.html

 

[RL Lemke]

Truck Trend? Isn't that a magazine by the same folks at Motor Trend? The same folks that selected the Aspen and Pacer as cars of the year?

Setting that aside, there are some significant differences between the H3 (aka Canyon & Colorado) and the 4Runner (aka latest generation of the Tacoma & now FJ). If the H3 follows in the proud tradition of the H1 (which a friend of mine could not depend on enough to drive out of town) and the H2 (aka Tahoe) (which all of us have seen breaks under carriage parts when off roading - too darn fat for its parts) I would be vary afraid to be out in the middle of a National Forest or BLM lands alone. I know that my Toyota will always get me home.

Another component which bothers me about these pick-ups, turned into SUVs, is the leaf spring rear suspension. While the leaf may have been fine for 1800's wagons, it is not for me. I can see why huge trucks go for the leaf as it is cheap and can take tremendous abuse without failing. I would never call a metal leaf spring compliant.

If you want to compare the off road abilities of the Toyota & H3, just have a look at the many articles about how each have fared on the Rubicon.

Not that it matters though as nearly every H3, and 4Runner for that matter, will only have to survive the curbs at the local mall.