Looks like being a very interesting race this year, doesnt seem to be any big teams apart from lots of Minis PETERHANSEL is in one and last years winner is in a Hummer.
Bikes looks like the usual suspects but Jonny Aubert is in it so expect him to win a few stages.
Never figured out why Dakar has never really taken off in the UK, maybe if John Deacon hadn't died so tragicaly he would of sparked lots of interest. Cowan came second years ago but that is about it.
maybe if John Deacon hadn't died so tragicaly he would of sparked lots of interest.
That made no difference whatsoever to UK interest in Rally Raids.
The simple fact is that most people just aren't interested and never will be. 
BTW he died doing the Masters Rally not the Dakar. 
Yes Stu I know exactly where he died thanks 
Tbh id be more interested in it if it was possible to watch it on tv - go on is there a weblink i can watch highlights on ?
I stopped watching it when it went to south America
will have to have watch it again and re-kindle my love for Big Rally bikes (although they're not as big as they used to be).
EDIT: Apologies Stu
You might know where he died but he was a friend of mine so lets not get all pissy about it please.
I love the Dakar. I must say though, its not he same since the shift from Africa.
Looking forward to Eurosports coverage, (not watched it since the tour of Lombardy) been full of Nordic skiing since. 
Stu not getting pissy bit I met him a load of times at events. He was a really good lad.
whatever.
sc-xc.
No problem you weren't to know.
This is probably why there is no interest...instead of discussing the races and stories we have 2 folk arguing who knew someone best...
It looked good but it was never on a tv channel I could access so never saw it.
All about the trucks for me!
All about the trucks for me!
To be fair the trucks are the most impressive thing for my too.
Some of their times are very close to the cars on the more open stages. 
There's quite a few british lads that have been members of the truck crews too.
Mainly as mechanics for some of the bike teams.
I thought Derek Edmondson was in one of the trucks this year but can't find him in the entry list.
I tried following JD in the last check in the Beacon's back in the late 80's, I was a clubman he was championship............boy he was quick!!
You don't get into the championship class by hanging around you know. 
Alfie Cox out already, guess the Volvo wasnt up to it.
I reckon the town of Dakar should sue, Apple would.
any way to watch it free? Got sky but no subscription so will check some of the obscure channels.
There's a round up on British Eurosport - 2200hrs, unfortunately the commentator is Carlton Kirby
Watched it last night, try to catch it every year. Love the bikes and would love to take part one day, but more likely to be a weekend warrior in a fully tooled up bike supping a mocha in a little chef
nice bikes though:
On a serious note, I see the Dakar has already claimed a life this year
I love the adventure of it all- i find it inspiring, and Eurosport does have some great footage.
The Trucks are epic- id love to have a go in one 
Bikes- i think is Coma V Despres although id love to see the Chilean bloke win it!
Cars- Peterhansel, but i do love the Hummers!
It's early days anyway so anyone can do well.....
Alfie Cox out already, guess the Volvo wasnt up to it.
'Trying to extinguish burning carbon fibre is tricky' - my favourite quote already
have great memories of watching the Dakar go through home town in france .
one year they got stuck in traffic and those 405 mi16 were amazing .
lost interest when moved to south america .
Jonah Street out and Peterhansel loses the lead in the cars.
De Rooy leading the trucks but the Russians are coming.
Now it comes down to a race between a Mini and a Hummer
Anyone else see the speed of the Hummer when it could really stretch its legs amazing and the suspension
Fingers crossed for Peterhansel. Looks like De Rooy has got the trucks and the bikes are still wide open. Top race.
Coma... Mr Angry (and quite right too)
So did Peterhansel get penalised for hitting that motorcyclist yesterday?
Quad bikes are like, totally gay.
I love it, wish it was on TV, not a pay to view version.
Ive got a selection of off road motorbikes (KTM 990 & 525, Honda XR 400, Montessa, Bultaco) and have done several races and some stuff in Morrocco - I did a few of the stages about 10 years ago and they took me days, not the hours the pros could do it in.
"Cars- Peterhansel, but i do love the Hummers!"
I do wonder why they call them cars though. They are in no way like any road going car. Basically they have built a chassis and stook a carbon fibre mini body on top.
I found the Eurosport shows very tedious to the point I just fast forward through them, there actually appears to be very little footage of the race itself...
Still love the Dakar. I've a number of nice coffee table books of the Dakar, as sign by the late great John Deacon (may sell if anyones interested). Shame big twins got outlawed and bikes now down to 450cc. Would love manufactuers to build a proper rallye-rep big single.....
Damn, no Eurosport here. Start posting pics people, feel like im missing out!
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