2006 Dakar Rally Updates - Stage 6
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The barren landscape of Zouerat, Mauritania |
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Magnaldi Wins Dakar Rally Stage 6 sponsored by Fox Racing Shox/Mastercraft Race Products – So Cal Manufacturers Spotlighted in Dakar Rally
- USA’s Mark Miller Pressures Top Drivers With American Talent
- Blais – Grider – Street Rally In Africa
- Flash Gordon Pumps Up The Volume
1-5-2006
Zouerat , Mauritania– Total: 792km/ 475miles:
In the face of the ultimate off road challenge – the Dakar Rally, Thierry Magnaldi, a veteran French off road pilot, drove his Team Schlesser-Ford buggy to an impressive stage win on Thursday. This stage featured an extremely fast first section that American driver, Mark Miller, commented in his daily audio report, “We were going 170-180 kph and never lifted.”
Magnaldi battled with the top drivers including his team owner, Jean-Louis Schlesser, driving a similar Schlesser-Ford buggy, 2005 Dakar Rally Champion - Stephane Peterhansel driving the Mitsubishi Pajero / Montero Evolution and Stage 4 winner Volkswagen’s Carlos Sainz.
Stage 6 is the beginning of several very long stages across the most difficult terrain in Africa. Difficult navigation and the beginning of the Mauritania sand dunes challenged the world’s top off road racers as they embarked on this stage under the cover of darkness.
Thierry Magnaldi and Jean-Louis Schlesser both race a Schlesser-Ford buggy that features Fox Racing Shox, both bypass and coilover versions, as well as a full array of Mastercraft Race Products including seats, limiting straps, window nets and restraints.
Fox Racing Shox Manager Todd Tenbrok commented, “We are following the race very closely here at Fox. I’m glad to see that both of the Schlesser buggies are performing well. The race has entered the most complex terrain and now teams will see the performance of their equipment either force them to slow down and save the equipment, or run hard and fast towards the finish line. I think we’ve just seen what the Schlesser boys are going to do with their Fox Racing Shox and we hope they are victorious.”
Mastercraft Race Products is a sponsor of not only today’s stage winner, Thierry Magnaldi, and Jean-Louis Schlesser, driving the twin Schlesser-Ford buggies, but Mastercraft is also an associate sponsor to the Robby Gordon Motorsports Dakar Rally program. Mastercraft CEO – Robby Pierce explained, “The performance of Jean-Louis and his teammate is tremendous, as well is the opportunity for our company to be part of the Robby Gordon Motorsports Dakar Rally program. We’re very proud to be associated with Team Schlesser and congratulate them on a fantastic one-two finish in today’s stage.”
Southern California is home to one of the largest contingent of off road racing manufacturers with many companies being located in the San Diego area only a stones throw from one of the world’s best testing grounds, the Baja Peninsula.
The Stage 6 victory is important for the Frenchman Magnaldi, as it is his first Dakar stage victory in the Team Schlesser-Ford buggy. In fact, Magnaldi bested Schlesser’s time by 2 minutes and 55 seconds. Magnaldi commented, "At the very beginning of the rally, I was afraid it would take too much time to get used to the car. But I soon realized that I had the car to win a stage. We could even have won a stage earlier in the rally. Actually, it was about time since things might change with the first big dune stages. I am very happy about this win, since it is my first victory with a car at the Dakar."
Volkswagen Motorsports driver and multi-SCORE Baja 1000 Champion, Mark Miller, continued to run his own pace after reaching the tricky camel grass section and experiencing a couple situations that forced him to slow a bit to run his own safe pace. Miller explained in his audio update that he understands this is a long race with much racing left and making a mistake is not an option.
Jim Beam/Hummer/Toyo Tires sponsored – Robby Gordon, known worldwide as a fierce competitor who will never say never, made yet another “Gordon-esque” performance on Thursday. Gordon and his co-driver, Darren Skilton moved through the field of Dakar Rally competitors as if they were racing in Class 1450 against So-Cal's flatbillers with the #83 Chevy Trophy Truck of Robby Gordon Motorsports.
The American team finished in 11th position in today’s stage placing Gordon 13 minutes and 41 seconds off the pace of winner, Magnaldi. This performance positions the Hummer Team in 27th overall, but over four hours out of the lead.
USA Dakar Team Leader – Mark Miller drove his Volkswagen Touareg across the finish line in 3 hours 33 minutes and 59 seconds, which was 11 minutes and five seconds off the French stage winner. Miller noted that he is sticking to his race strategy and that notion was seconded by USA Dakar Co-Team Leader and SCORE Baja 1000 Champion – Ryan Arciero. Ryan is stateside monitoring the Dakar Rally and has spoken with Miller several times commenting, “Mark and I talked before and during the rally about the pace he should run and I told him to only listen to himself. I told him not to let anyone tell him what pace he should run, but do what he thinks is right. Mark knows the right pace to win and as long as he keeps to that, only good things will happen. At this point he needs to trust himself and Dirk and they will be successful.”
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KTM's Cyril Despres will continue despite a dislocated collar bone suffered after a crash in Stage 6 |
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Leading the motorcycles in victory in this long difficult stage was Carlo De Gavardo. Australian Andy Caldecott riding for the Red Bull KTM team finished in 6 th position, which moved him into 5th position overall. However, the big news of the day was all about the 2005 Dakar Rally Motorcycle Champion, Cyril Despres, who crashed hard on his KTM 660. Despres was reportedly knocked unconscious and fellow competitors Marc Coma and Esteve Pujol rode up on Despres whose KTM motorcycle and equipment was strewn out in the African desert floor. Despres reported that he dislocated his collar bone, which was verified by Dakar Rally medical staff later in the day. Despres stated that he will press on in search of another Dakar Rally championship.
Despres explained, "Isidre and Marc arrived and helped me. I don't have the feeling that I made a big mistake. I do hope that I will be fine tomorrow morning. I couldn't go home without at least trying to ride. My feelings are very mixed. On the one hand, it is 11 months training down the drain and that is obviously very frustrating. On the other hand, it could have been a lot worse."
Forging the American contingent of off road motorcycle racers towards the finish line was All-American SCORE Baja Champion – Andy Grider who completed Thursday’s journey in 4 hours and 12 minutes flat, which was 11 minutes and 28 seconds behind the winner, De Gavardo. This 11th place finish was followed by fellow All-American SCORE Baja Champion – Chris Blais, who placed 13th behind Grider with a time of 4 hours 13 minutes and three seconds.
By finishing in the top fifteen in stage six, both Grider and Blais move up positions in the overall standings. Grider moved his #23 KTM Red Bull 660 LC4 into 20 th position overall while Blais moved his #9 KTM Red Bull 660 Rallye into 11 th position. Blais is only out of the top ten by mere seconds behind Frenchman, David Casteu, riding a KTM 660 Rallye for the French motorcycle team – Gauloises KTM France.
Dakar Overall Results – Car
Pos |
Num |
Drivers |
Nat |
Make/Model |
Team |
Time |
Gap to 1st |
Penalties |
1. |
305 |
De Villiers, Thorner |
ZA |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
16:33:58 |
0:00:00 |
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2. |
307 |
Sainz, Schulz |
E |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
16:34:20 |
0:00:22 |
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3. |
303 |
Kleinschmidt, Pons |
D |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
16:34:32 |
0:00:34 |
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4. |
314 |
Schlesser, Borsotto |
F |
Schlesser-Ford Raid |
Schlesser - Ford |
16:35:00 |
0:01:02 |
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5. |
302 |
Alphand, Picard |
F |
Mitsubishi Pajero |
Mitsubishi Ralliart |
16:36:00 |
0:02:02 |
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6. |
301 |
Saby, Perin |
F |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
16:37:55 |
0:03:57 |
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7. |
309 |
Miller, Von Zitzewitz |
USA |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
16:41:12 |
0:07:14 |
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8. |
315 |
Magnaldi, Debron |
F |
Schlesser-Ford Raid |
Schlesser - Ford |
16:42:08 |
0:08:10 |
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9. |
300 |
Peterhansel, Cottret |
F |
Mitsubishi Pajero |
Mitsubishi Ralliart |
16:43:35 |
0:09:37 |
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10. |
304 |
Roma, Magne |
E |
Mitsubishi Pajero |
Mitsubishi Ralliart |
16:45:24 |
0:11:26 |
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11. |
322 |
Chicherit, Baumel |
F |
BMW X3 CC |
X-Raid |
17:14:27 |
0:40:29 |
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12. |
313 |
Cox, Pitchford |
ZA |
BMW X3 CC |
X-Raid |
17:34:35 |
1:00:37 |
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13. |
311 |
Sousa, Lurquin |
P |
Nissan Navarra |
Team Galp Energia |
17:49:48 |
1:15:50 |
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14. |
316 |
Servia, Alcaraz |
E |
Schlesser-Ford Raid D |
Schlesser - Ford |
17:52:31 |
1:18:33 |
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15. |
317 |
Gache, Garcin |
F |
SMG Buggy |
Vanguard/Racing |
18:12:48 |
1:38:50 |
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16. |
345 |
Pescarolo, Le Gal |
F |
SMG Buggy |
S.M.G |
18:40:27 |
2:06:29 |
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17. |
415 |
Kahle, Schuenemann |
D |
Honda Buggy |
Fast & Speed |
18:45:24 |
2:11:26 |
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18. |
386 |
Blazquez Roura, Salvador |
E |
Nissan Pick-up |
Nissan Motor Espana |
18:45:52 |
2:11:54 |
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19. |
334 |
Guinot, Kroiss |
F |
Volkswagen Tarek |
Henrard Racing Team |
19:25:03 |
2:51:05 |
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20. |
310 |
Henrard, De Roissard |
B |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Henrard Racing Team |
19:31:51 |
2:57:53 |
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21. |
342 |
Kolberg, Bampi |
BR |
Mitsubishi L200 |
Petrobras - Lubrax |
19:38:35 |
3:04:37 |
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22. |
340 |
Lavergne, Sanchez |
F |
Renault Megane |
S.R.T Competition |
19:41:47 |
3:07:49 |
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23. |
420 |
Saukans, Dambis |
LV |
OSC OSCar |
Rallye Raid Riga |
20:13:07 |
3:39:09 |
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24. |
362 |
Berkut, Nikolaev |
RUS |
Mitsubishi L200 Evo F |
Tibau Team / Russian Te |
20:38:48 |
4:04:50 |
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25. |
319 |
Kis, Czegledi |
HON |
Nissan Pick Up |
RTL Motorsport Klub |
20:51:22 |
4:17:24 |
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26. |
333 |
Loix, Verhoef |
B |
Bowler Wildcat |
Bowler Off Road Ltd |
20:52:41 |
4:18:43 |
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27. |
335 |
Gordon, Skilton |
USA |
Hummer H3 |
Team Gordon |
21:02:34 |
4:28:36 |
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28. |
320 |
Lohr, Ruf |
D |
Mercedes ML350 |
Kwikpower Mercedes Benz |
21:17:34 |
4:43:36 |
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29. |
408 |
Gibon, Gibon |
F |
Bowler Wildcat 200 |
Gibon |
21:20:41 |
4:46:43 |
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30. |
308 |
Al-Attiyah, Guehennec |
QA |
BMW X3 CC |
X-Raid |
21:26:13 |
4:52:15 |
30:00 |
Dakar stage 6 results – Cars
1. |
315 |
Magnaldi, Debron |
F |
Schlesser-Ford Raid |
Schlesser - Ford |
3:22:54 |
0:00:00 |
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2. |
314 |
Schlesser, Borsotto |
F |
Schlesser-Ford Raid |
Schlesser - Ford |
3:25:49 |
0:02:55 |
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3. |
305 |
De Villiers, Thorner |
ZA |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
3:26:40 |
0:03:46 |
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4. |
303 |
Kleinschmidt, Pons |
D |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
3:28:07 |
0:05:13 |
|
5. |
302 |
Alphand, Picard |
F |
Mitsubishi Pajero |
Mitsubishi Ralliart |
3:28:56 |
0:06:02 |
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6. |
300 |
Peterhansel, Cottret |
F |
Mitsubishi Pajero |
Mitsubishi Ralliart |
3:29:13 |
0:06:19 |
|
7. |
307 |
Sainz, Schulz |
E |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
3:29:23 |
0:06:29 |
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8. |
301 |
Saby, Perin |
F |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
3:30:17 |
0:07:23 |
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9. |
322 |
Chicherit, Baumel |
F |
BMW X3 CC |
X-Raid |
3:32:47 |
0:09:53 |
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10. |
309 |
Miller, Von Zitzewitz |
USA |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
3:33:59 |
0:11:05 |
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11. |
335 |
Gordon, Skilton |
USA |
Hummer H3 |
Team Gordon |
3:36:35 |
0:13:41 |
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12. |
304 |
Roma, Magne |
E |
Mitsubishi Pajero |
Mitsubishi Ralliart |
3:36:42 |
0:13:48 |
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13. |
345 |
Pescarolo, Le Gal |
F |
SMG Buggy |
S.M.G |
3:39:58 |
0:17:04 |
|
14. |
308 |
Al-Attiyah, Guehennec |
QA |
BMW X3 CC |
X-Raid |
3:40:39 |
0:17:45 |
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15. |
317 |
Gache, Garcin |
F |
SMG Buggy |
Vanguard/Racing |
3:41:52 |
0:18:58 |
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Dakar stage 6 results – Motorcycles
Pos |
Num |
Drivers |
Nat |
Make/Model |
Team |
Time |
Gap to 1st |
Penalties |
1. |
4 |
Carlo De Gavardo |
RCH |
KTM 660 |
KTM Repsol - Red Bull |
4:00:32 |
0:00:00 |
|
2. |
6 |
Giovanni Sala |
I |
KTM 660 Rallye |
KTM Repsol - Red Bull |
4:03:55 |
0:03:23 |
|
3. |
3 |
Isidre Esteve Pujol |
E |
KTM 660 Rallye |
Gauloises KTM France |
4:04:24 |
0:03:52 |
|
4. |
5 |
Pal Anders Ullevalseter |
N |
KTM 660 Rallye |
Scandinavia |
4:06:03 |
0:05:31 |
|
5. |
2 |
Marc Coma |
E |
KTM 660 Rallye |
KTM Repsol - Red Bull |
4:06:27 |
0:05:55 |
|
6. |
10 |
Andy Caldecott |
AUS |
KTM 661 Rallye |
Red Bull KTM |
4:07:16 |
0:06:44 |
|
7. |
1 |
Cyril Despres |
F |
KTM 660 Rallye |
Gauloises KTM France |
4:08:45 |
0:08:13 |
|
8. |
12 |
David Fretigne |
F |
Yamaha WR450F 2-Trac |
Yamaha Motor France/Ipo |
4:08:51 |
0:08:19 |
|
9. |
21 |
Jordi Viladoms |
E |
KTM 660 Rallye |
Red Bull KTM |
4:10:46 |
0:10:14 |
|
10. |
128 |
Rodrigo Amaral |
P |
KTM 660 Rallye |
Sical Adventure Team |
4:11:44 |
0:11:12 |
|
11. |
23 |
Andy Grider |
USA |
KTM 660 LC4 |
Red Bull KTM |
4:12:00 |
0:11:28 |
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12. |
7 |
Jean De Azevedo |
BR |
KTM 700 |
Petrobras - Lubrax |
4:12:32 |
0:12:00 |
|
13. |
9 |
Chris Blais |
USA |
KTM 660 Rallye |
Red Bull KTM |
4:13:03 |
0:12:31 |
|
14. |
60 |
Jaroslav Katrinak |
SLO |
KTM |
MOL Dakar Team |
4:13:16 |
0:12:44 |
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15. |
39 |
Victor Rivera |
E |
KTM 660 Rallye |
-- |
4:14:53 |
0:14:21 |
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16. |
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Dakar Overall Results - Motorcycles
Pos |
Num |
Drivers |
Nat |
Make/Model |
Team |
Time |
Gap to 1st |
Penalties |
1. |
2 |
Marc Coma |
E |
KTM 660 Rallye |
KTM Repsol - Red Bull |
18:15:45 |
0:00:00 |
|
2. |
1 |
Cyril Despres |
F |
KTM 660 Rallye |
Gauloises KTM France |
18:19:28 |
0:03:43 |
|
3. |
3 |
Isidre Esteve Pujol |
E |
KTM 660 Rallye |
Gauloises KTM France |
18:20:10 |
0:04:25 |
|
4. |
4 |
Carlo De Gavardo |
RCH |
KTM 660 |
KTM Repsol - Red Bull |
18:21:42 |
0:05:57 |
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5. |
10 |
Andy Caldecott |
AUS |
KTM 661 Rallye |
Red Bull KTM |
18:43:28 |
0:27:43 |
2:00 |
6. |
12 |
David Fretigne |
F |
Yamaha WR450F 2-Trac |
Yamaha Motor France/Ipo |
18:50:13 |
0:34:28 |
|
7. |
6 |
Giovanni Sala |
I |
KTM 660 Rallye |
KTM Repsol - Red Bull |
18:53:35 |
0:37:50 |
|
8. |
5 |
Pal Anders Ullevalseter |
N |
KTM 660 Rallye |
Scandinavia |
18:57:53 |
0:42:08 |
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9. |
60 |
Jaroslav Katrinak |
SLO |
KTM |
MOL Dakar Team |
19:13:05 |
0:57:20 |
|
10. |
8 |
David Casteu |
F |
KTM 660 Rallye |
Gauloises KTM France |
19:13:56 |
0:58:11 |
|
11. |
9 |
Chris Blais |
USA |
KTM 660 Rallye |
Red Bull KTM |
19:17:56 |
1:02:11 |
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12. |
7 |
Jean De Azevedo |
BR |
KTM 700 |
Petrobras - Lubrax |
19:22:17 |
1:06:32 |
|
13. |
97 |
Gerard Farres Guell |
E |
Yamaha |
Yamaha Espana |
19:42:26 |
1:26:41 |
|
14. |
95 |
Xacob Agra Carrera |
E |
Yamaha |
Yamaha Espana |
19:43:38 |
1:27:53 |
|
15. |
128 |
Rodrigo Amaral |
P |
KTM 660 Rallye |
Sical Adventure Team |
19:44:05 |
1:28:20 |
|
16. |
11 |
Michel Gau |
F |
KTM 660 Rallye |
Gauloises KTM France |
19:44:26 |
1:28:41 |
|
17. |
14 |
Alain Duclos |
F |
KTM |
KTM - Toni - Togo |
19:50:47 |
1:35:02 |
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18. |
160 |
Ruben Faria |
P |
KTM 660 |
Spedakar |
19:52:07 |
1:36:22 |
12:00 |
19. |
39 |
Victor Rivera |
E |
KTM 660 Rallye |
-- |
19:59:40 |
1:43:55 |
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20. |
23 |
Andy Grider |
USA |
KTM 660 LC4 |
Red Bull KTM |
20:05:59 |
1:50:14 |
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21. |
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9 Chris Blais – blaisracing.com
23 Andy Grider - griderracing.com
42 Jonah Street - rallypanam.com
98 Mike Krynock - rallypanam.com
99 Charlie Rauseo - rallypanam.com
180 Kevin Heath - KevinsMidLifeCrisis.com
242 Scott Whitney / Duane McDowell - HogWildRacing.com
309 Mark Miller - Mark Miller – USADakar.com
335 Robby Gordon / Darren Skilton - robbygordon.com
354 Ronn Bailey / Herve Cotel - vanguardracing.com
