Volkswagen celebrates hat-trick victory in Dakar Rally

[cawimmer430]

Suck on that, Consumer Reports! 


Volkswagen celebrates hat-trick victory in Dakar Rally



Volkswagen has plenty to celebrate this year in the deserts of South America. The German team claimed its second consecutive podium lock-out and its third consecutive overall victory in the brutal Dakar Rally. But if you think it was business as usual, take a look at who took the winner's trophy ? Qatari national Nasser Al-Attiyah is the first Arab to win the desert rally in its 33-year history.

All four of teams of the new Race Touareg 3 not only finished the race ? which is more than could be said of the new X-Raid Mini Countryman ? but they took four out of the top six spots, with American driver Mark Miller coming in sixth behind two of X-Raid's BMW X3s. The Star-Spangled Banner was held just as high, though, by the team of Sue Mead and Darren Skilton who took the OP class trophy north to the United States behind the wheel of their Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.

Unfortunately, this year's rally wasn't all fun and games, and sadly claimed a life in the process: according to reports, an Argentinean Toyota team struck the vehicle of non-competing motorist, killing the victim and prompting local officials to conduct an inquiry to establish the circumstances. For the full press release on this year's Dakar events, follow the jump.


Link: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/18/volkswagen-celebrates-hat-trick-victory-in-dakar-rally/

[the Teuton]

If only roadgoing Touaregs could be so reliable...

[Nethead]

From www.autoblog.com:

Journalist Sue Mead, racer Darren Skilton become first U.S. team to win a class in Dakar Rally
by Zach Bowman (RSS feed) on Jan 17th 2011 at 5:01 PM

The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is still proving that it can do whatever deed needs done, whenever it needs doing. Sue Mead and Darren Skilton managed to pilot a largely stock version of the desert-raiding pickup through all 12 stages of this year's Dakar rally. The team survived 16 days of some of the most brutal terrain on the South American continent and covered over 11,800 miles in the process. Their effort was enough to net the Raptor a 40th place finish over all and a first place finish in the OP class.

In fact, from what we hear, Mead and Skilton were the only contestants to even finish in the OP class, even with big names like Robbie Gordon gunning for the win.

That marks the first time that an American crew has ever managed to take a class win in the history of the Dakar Rally. The F-150 SVT Raptor that Mead and Skilton campaigned boasted the same 5.4-liter V8 that it rolled off the production line with, though a larger cooling system was fitted to handle the harsh temperatures of the course. Likewise, the pickup was equipped with a host of other race-capable bits including a new locker system for the differentials (ARB Air Lockers ), more robust shocks, springs and tires.

Overall, Volkswagen took the top three spots in the 2011 Dakar Rally. BMW filled out the remaining spots in the top five with its entries...

[Mustangfan2003]

I'd say that the Raptor win is more impressive, since it's a lot closer to the production truck. 

[Nethead]

I'd say that the Raptor win is more impressive, since it's a lot closer to the production truck. 

Evidently--Mead & Skilton were the only team to even finish in the OP class of the Dakar.  'Dunno how many OP class entrants there were (Robbie Gordon was one, in a Hummer of some kind, I think), but the desert claimed them all save one...

[Byteme]

Suck on that, Consumer Reports! 



Volkswagen has plenty to celebrate this year in the deserts of South America. The German team claimed its second consecutive podium lock-out and its third consecutive overall victory in the brutal Dakar Rally. But if you think it was business as usual, take a look at who took the winner's trophy ? Qatari national Nasser Al-Attiyah is the first Arab to win the desert rally in its 33-year history.

Throw enough money in the pot and modify the vehicle enough and a Camaro could come out with a victory in the Rally.   I'm much more impressed with the classes featuring vehicles closer to stock.