Valparaiso, Chile—Team Dakar USA had a great day, both Hummers finished in the top ten. The route was again shortened today due to thunderstorms that hit the region days before. It was so bad that the Truck class was not allowed to start the special because of the trouble they had with the terrain the prior stage. The media H1 traveled through the mountainous roads of the Andes to make our way to the beautiful town of Valparaiso Chile. The scenery was amazing going up the Cordillera Mountains. We reached the boarder and whisked right through customs. There were beautiful little villages at the peak of the mountains. We had an amazing glimpse of the Aconcagua Mountain, the highest peak in the Andes with an altitude of 6959 Meters. We started our descent down the mountains and started seeing lift chairs everywhere. I bet the skiing and snow boarding here is the best. I stop and think that here is the peak of summer and back home is the peak of winter. On a good note, I will go back home with a great tan!
Robby was the eighth car to start stage 7. He quickly gained a few spots; the dunes are prime terrain for the Hummer. He was second overall at one point only seconds behind the current leader. The later part of the stage took the race vehicles through fast zigzag muddy terrain that favors the four-wheel drive cars. They are dropping like flies, 3 Mitsubishis are out of the race! The latest Mitsubishi to drop out of the race was last Dakar winner Peterhansel. He caught fire on the engine bay and had to pull out of the race. Only Roma remains from the Mitsubishi fleet, might I add that Nani Roma is a very nice guy. Robby finished the stage 7 in 3rd place with a time of 2 hours 39 minutes and 40 seconds, 4:13 behind the stage winner Sainz.
Eric Vigouroux has made a great comeback! From being 143 a couple of days ago, he now sits 26th overall. He finished the stage in 7th place with a time of 2 hours 46 minutes and 57 seconds. He said he had some navigational problems that cost him to loose a few minutes.
Tomorrow will be the only rest day of the Dakar Rally. This will be a day to do a full overhaul on the Hummers. The guys will get a much-needed full night of sleep tonight, and with that said so do I. Cheers and enjoy the pictures!
