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Dakar 2006, oh man, those KTM's are kicking butt !!
Is KTM really that good ?

I went here:

http://www.dakar.com/2006/DAK/LIVE/us/-10900/index.html

and clicked on Tracking then typed in Boorman, as in Charley. Couldn't figure out much but the picture there shows a modified F650GS. Hope he does well.


DSKYZD

That Dakar site is the worst...I've been trying to get results or even find my way around the site since day one..sheesh..I can't work it out.

Btw...the local paper said that an Aussie that was in about 12th won the third stage by so much that he's now winning the bikes overall....waa-hoo!

DJ

Here are two other sites for more up to date news and standings for the Dakar:

http://www.eurosport.com/home/pages/v4/ ... c429.shtml

http://tracking.dakar.com/ASO/iritrack_v7_us.html

Charley Boorman's still in the race and seems to be holding up well according to some of the folk at UKGSers who have been in contact with him. He's currently placed ahead of his mates Simon Pavey and Nick Plumb according to the standings. But there seems to be some conflicting info as to whether Nick Plumb's still running or out of the race.

Here's a link with some pics, and some transalation to help you browse (It's Yahoo in french). At the bottom of the pics you will see:

1ère page | Précédente | Suivante | Dernière page
translation: 1st page; Previous; Next and Last page, respectively.

http://fr.sports.yahoo.com/ph/c_rl_dakar_p.html

I just doscovered the slide show:

http://fr.sports.yahoo.com/ph/c_rl_daka ... aslideshow

Enjoy,

Looks like Boorman is 172 or 178, he's about 1 hour 21 minutes off the leader. Out of about 240 bikes thats not bad for a 1st timer.

I'm impressed.

Boorman is out - he biffed it & broke his hand. DOH!

I've heard it said a few times...bet he won't make it past day 6...and what day is it..day 6.. ..bugger!

I hope they have a good look-a-like double so they can keep filming..

Actually Charley has broken both hands..ouch..but Claudio has come to the rescue and will dink him all the way to the finish in Dakar....just kidding..

He will continue with on the ground interviews and stuff...I don't know how he will hold the microphone..

DJ

from what I've read (the US gets f-all coverage of the Rally), Charley will continue in the support vehicles (at least, that's the plan), and be there for the recording. This year, the support crews have to drive the whole course, they don't get to skip (fly) any of the sections. Both hands - OWWWWWWWWWWWWWCH!!

The real is...who will get the job as designated bum whiper?..that's whipe as in clean, not whip as it, well you know

Out there maybe he could get a sand blasting..non touch technique.

who will get the job as designated bum whiper?..

Something only a nurse would think of...nice one boxerboy... ...you're right though...I can't wait to see a pic of both hands bandaged...

and if those bandages are looking the slightest bit brown...sheesh...it might not be the desert sand..

DJ

popgazer wrote:Dakar 2006, oh man, those KTM's are kicking butt !!
Is KTM really that good ?

They had to do something after blowing it with Long Way Round.

But still, no one will really remember the winner.
The 'special interest' DVD will be around a long time.

http://www.racetodakar.com/

DSKYZD wrote: Couldn't figure out much but the picture there shows a modified F650GS.

"Our race bikes are closely modelled and based on the BMW F650 GS Dakar. This standard bike which has been inspired by some of the world's harshest terrain has been modified by our technical partners Touratech who are based in Germany.

Long Way Round had established a good relationship with Touratech when they supported Ewan and Charley on their worldwide expedition. Touratech have continued this relationship by offering to build 4 Rally Raid bikes based on the BMW motorcycle."

RIP Australia's own Andy Caldecott




Dakar takes a high toll every year.


http://www.dakar.com/2006/DAK/LIVE/us/900/index.html

Jeeees!!!...that's just no fair......

check this short vid about his death.. http://www.eurosport.com/home/pages/v4/ ... 1728.shtml ...very sad indeed.

...................

I've been following the Dakar daily...and Andy was one of the main reasons.

He was given a call less than two weeks before the event and asked if he would like to ride a factory KTM....that's huge.

He's so good that he was up with the best in the world..
winning stage 3...and after missing a few checkpoints and getting time penalties he was now in the top ten.

With a bit of luck he could have won the whole thing....but luck was something he obviously didn't have.

It was great when they interviewed him because he was one of the few I could understand..now he's gone...what a bugger!

Here's a pic of Andy in action the day before he died.. http://www.motorsport.com/photos/ccr/20 ... m-1839.jpg

DJ

What a bummer. When you watch the tv you just think how is that possible? This tells you how close to the edge they are.

RIP Andy

On a lighter note...I found this on another site...you gotta smile..

The official press release stated that Charlie blamed the lack of weight on the F650 for the crash.

"If only I'd had a couple of panniers and a top box full of crap I'd have completed this rally with my eyes closed", said Charlie at a press conference organised by his BMW sponsors.

Details of Charlie's attempt at this years race will be available in shops in early June 2006 in the DVD set titled 'The Quick Way Home'. The series catalogues the months of hard training and organisation work completed by his backup crew .... and an in depth view at the 5 Days Charlie was involved in this mamoth undertaking.

Charlie intends to return and complete the event in 2007 on a BMW K1200LT with an assortment of Touratech accessories just to prove the point

now THAT'S funny. Breaking both hands... not so much.

Charley needs to ride a few enduro races & maybe a Rally Raid or two this year to sort-out what riding a 5000+ mile, 15 day ride is all about. It's definitely NOT about interviews, DVDs, and sponsorship.

An LT would be more comfortable, but no multi-cylinder engines over 450cc are allowed. Maybe a Suzuki Burgman would be the best??