March 11, 2009
Team Gordon Offroad, which is responsible for Robby Gordon's Dakar efforts, announced today plans to run a third Hummer in the 2010 Dakar Rally. Eliseo Salazar, a Chilean former Formula One, IndyCar and sports car driver, is scheduled to be the driver of the team's third Hummer entry.
Team Gordon Offroad just completed a challenging two weeks participating in the 2009 Dakar Rally throughout Argentina and Chile. It was the team's fourth and most successful Dakar attempt since its inception in 2006. Gordon finished third overall behind Giniel De Villiers, the 31st Dakar Rally car class winner. Gordon's teammate, Eric Vigouroux drove his identical Hummer to a 13th place finish.
"The 2009 Dakar Rally was very rewarding to everyone on our team. What we were able to accomplish was truly amazing and a testament to the team that we have established. I am excited to announce the addition of Eliseo to our Dakar program.
believe that him joining our team will only strengthen the existing program and make us that much better. We have known each other for over 15 years, and it is a pleasure to have such a talented driver with Dakar experience join our program. Running three race vehicles will not only increase our performance, it will also increase our chance to bring home the coveted Dakar Rally title in 2010. We expect great things in the 2010 Dakar Rally and beyond," commented Robby Gordon, owner of Team Gordon and driver of the Monster Energy Toyo Tires Hummer.
Eliseo Salazar of Cristal Cero Team says, "It's an understatement to say that I'm very excited to drive for Team Gordon in a Rally that covers routes of my native country with in a Hummer that I feel is extremely adequate for the kind of terrains of the Dakar in South America. Robby will not only be a teammate, but a friend and an outstanding off-road driver. Robby has agreed to teach me how to achieve my goal of being a top-ten driver in the 2010 Dakar Rally scheduled to revisit Chile and Argentina."
