Bruised and Battered

January 8, 2010 - 4:35pm - by Ramses Perez
The special between Iquique and Antofagasta was the longest special in the rally. With over 600 kilometers of total driving including short liaisons, this special promised to be one for Robby to gain some time on the leaders.

Robby started the special flying through the slower competitors and quickly found he was leading the special. Robby led the special for about 180 kilometers when all of a sudden the alternator started to fail. The Hummer has two batteries it can use for this type of situation. They can switch from one to the other and keep going. Grider said that they ran almost 130 kilometers switching back and forth until it finally gave out.

The Vanguard Hummer started off the line before Robby but as soon as it started it pulled over to be behind Robby in case help was needed. This was just the case; the Vanguard Hummer carries a spare alternator that would later be used. Robby waited for the Vanguard Hummer to arrive losing almost 3 hours for the day. The alternator was changed and Robby got on the throttle again to finish the special.

On his way to the finish, Robby encountered more setbacks. Flying through the desert he hit a rock bending a wheel then eventually flattening the tire. After that tire was changed the inflation system went out flattening another tire right at the end.

The special dealt a huge blow to Team Hummer. It would take a miracle or very big mechanical issues to the front-runner for Robby to get a podium this year. There will be some time made up no doubt, but the grand prize that we all came to win is fading on the horizon. The special was finished in 8 hours 22 minutes and 35 seconds. Robby sits 10th overall, trailing the Rally leader by 4 hours 25 minutes and 10 seconds. I know Robby well enough to say that we should be ready for some win celebrations to come. Winning specials will probably be the name of the game.