Dakar 2006

So, Sainz has won 3 out of 4 stages and is pretty much showing his switch to Raid type rallies isn't a mistake.

I think Ari Vatanen lead the way in showing a World Championship driver can make a transition to endurance rally racing, but Sainz is definitely making the move to even further entrench himself as a legend in rally.

Do you think Colin McRae is feeling a little egg on his face considering he didn't manage to make the switch so seamlessly as Sainz?

Here's hoping King Carlos can keep up his pace and lead the race home!

Go Carlos!

Could it be that Sainz has been also given better equipment than McRae? Colin did manage some good results throughout the event last year, just not the whole of it.

Dammit Robby Gordons hummer messed up on him :(
I fig. he wouldn't win but it was nice to have a american in a american car to cheer for. Espically when the frist few stages went so good.

True it appears Sainz has shown he is more astute than McRae in picking a more competitive team. It is great to see the VWs and Schlesser buggies ahead of the recently dominant Pajeros. Sainz is the just the type of consistent, intelligent and doggedly determined driver to excel in the Dakar, unlike McRae who was always had a comparatively do or die approach.

Robby might be able to win a stage before this is over. I'm cheering for the Schlesser-Fords simply because they're privateers despite how much I dislike the french.

Speaking of those pesky Pajero's......

Yes, as soon as they hit the real desert stages the experience of the Mitsubishi's shone through. Volkswagens are falling apart and the Schlessers, being two wheel drive, struggle on the really loose sand.


But all that asside it has been another tragic day on the Dakar. Australian rider Andy Caldecott has been killed in an accident. 2005 was a bad year, I sincerely hope 2006 does not continue in the same manner.