NEWS // TOURATECH SPONSORS STREET FOR 2011 DAKAR RALLY

We are less than a month away from one of the greatest motorsport races in the world, the 2011 Dakar Rally. Entered into this years competition is Ellensburg native, Jonah Street, who hopes to to win the 5,900 mile rally with the help of Touratech-USA. Street, who will race his Yamaha WR540 across South America, will be in Seattle tomorrow night for a send-off party being held at the Touratech headquarters... [read more]

Touratech-USA has provided support for Jonah's race efforts, including motorcycle equipment, fundraising, and a significant financial contribution. Touratech-USA even created a limited edition Jonah Street Dakar Rally shirt with all proceeds going directly to Jonah. This project ended up raising $10,000 for his 2011 Rally effort.

“The idea to create a limited edition shirt was awesome and ended up raising way more money than we expected" said Street. "The guys at Touratech have done a lot of the groundwork which has given me more time to focus on training and preparing for the race.”



Prior to Dakar, Jonah was a dominant force in Baja with 3 consecutive wins in the Baja 500 and four 2nd place finishes in the Baja 1,000. In his first Dakar Rally, he posted multiple top-3 stage finishes and managed 17th overall. In the 2009 Dakar Rally, Jonah won stage 5 before pulling out of the race with an injury. In the 2010 Dakar Rally, Jonah finished 7th overall, and a few months later became the first American to win Rally Mongolia. Many people close to the sport regard Jonah as America’s best chance for a win at Dakar in 2011.

Fans can help Jonah get to Dakar by purchasing a limited edition T-shirt or joining Jonah’s fan club called the Riff Raff.

Images and Info: Touratech-USA
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

STAGE EIGHT HIGHLIGHTS // 2009 DAKAR RALLY

The eighth stage of the 2009 Dakar Rally is in the books, and the VW Motorsports team remains in the lead. Carlos Sainz extended his lead over VW teammates, de Villiers and Miller, while Joan Roma in the Mitsubishi seems to be the only non VW left with a chance for glory. The 2009 Dakar will continue tomorrow with 116 cars, 62 trucks and 137 bikes left in the field. Highlight reel above, top ten after eight stages below:

1. Carlos Sainz - Volkswagen 27h29:59
2. Giniel de Villiers - Volkswagen + 10:57
3. Mark Miller - Volkswagen + 18:05
4. Joan Roma - Mitsubishi + 33:31
5. Robby Gordon - Hummer +1h32:01
6. Krzysztof Holowczyc - Nissan +2h57:05
7. Ivar Erik Tollefsen - Nissan +3h25:32
8. Dieter Depping - Volkswagen +4h51:45
9. Rene Kuipers - BMW +5h33:43
10. Tonnie van Deijne - Mitsubishi +5h57:49

Stay tuned to CTD for more highlights from the 2009 Dakar Rally // 01.13.2009

STAGE 12 HIGHLIGHTS // 2009 DAKAR RALLY

With the cancellation of stage 11 due to excessive fog, the 2009 Dakar Rally continued today with it’s twelfth stage. Carlos Sainz, VW Motorsport driver and the winner of six of the last ten stages, crashed into a ravine just 79km’s into today's stage. Sainz’s co-driver Michael Perin suffered a shoulder injury in the crash, forcing the pair to retire. The unexpected crash put Sainz’s VW teammate Giniel de Villiers into the lead, with Mark Miller a close second and Robby Gordon filling out the top three. With just three stages remaining in the 2009 Daka Rally, barring another accident, it appears the win will go to the VW Motorsport team. Highlight reel above, top ten results below:


1. Giniel de Villiers - Volkswagen 43h46:58
2. Mark Miller - Volkswagen + 2:35
3. Robby Gordon - Hummer + 1h18:52
4. Ivar Erik Tollefsen - Nissan + 5h48:21
5. Krzysztof Holowczyc - Nissan + 6h44:42
6. Nani Roma - Mitsubishi + 7h41:36
7. Dieter Depping - Volkswagen + 8h33:23
8. Miroslav Zapletal - Mitsubishi +10h49:36
9. Leonid Novitskiy - BMW +13h19:06
10.Rene Kuipers - BMW +14h32:16

Stay with CTD for more coverage from the 2009 Dakar Rally // 01.17.2009

STAGE FIVE HIGHLIGHTS // 2009 DAKAR RALLY

The fifth stage of the 2009 Dakar Rally is in the books, highlighted by the death of motorcyclist Pascal Terry. An unfortunate reminder of the dangers that Dakar participants face, especially the motorcycle competitors.

In the automobiles, it appeared to be Al Attiyahs day, as he took the lead from Sainz who suffered from power steering failure early in the stage. VW Motorsport driver, Mark Miller, also picked up a spot, now running in fifth overall. Results after five stages are as follows:

1. Al Attiyah - BMW 18h44:37
2. De Villiers - Volkswagen + 02.24
3. Sainz - Volkswagen + 06.33
4. Peterhansel - Mitsubishi + 13.44
5. Miller - Volkswagen + 19.55
6. Roma - Mitsubishi + 24.29
7. Gordon - Hummer + 41.48
8. Alphand - Mitsubishi + 42.04
9. Depping - Volkswagen + 1h16.40
10. Spinelli - Mitsubishi + 1h39.26

Nothing is certain at Dakar, so be sure and stay with CTD as we continue to bring you coverage from the 2009 Dakar Rally // 01.09.2009

FINAL STAGE HIGHLIGHTS // 2009 DAKAR RALLY

With yet another stage win for the Volkswagen Motorsport team, Giniel de Villiers claimed overall victory in the 2009 Dakar Rally. The first time a diesel powered car has won the Dakar, de Villiers and teammate Miller finished up the Dakar in one-two fashion, sealing the deal for VW. NASCAR star Robbie Gordon took third place overall, finishing with a strong four hour lead over Tollefsen in the Nissan. Highlight reel above, overall results after 14 stages below:

1. Giniel de Villiers - Volkswagen 48h10:57
2. Mark Miller - Volkswagen + 8:59
3. Robby Gordon - Hummer + 1h46:15
4. Ivar Erik Tollefsen - Nissan + 6h04:34
5. Krzysztof Holowczyc - Nissan + 6h37:49
6. Dieter Depping - Volkswagen + 8h43:29
7. Miroslav Zapletal - Mitsubishi +11h03:08
8. Leonid Novitskiy - BMW +13h15:13
9. Guerlain Chicherit - BMW +14h49:49
10. Joan Roma - Mitsubishi +17h27:46

To see all of CTD’s coverage from the 2009 Dakar Rally, click here // 01.20.2009

STAGE 13 HIGHLIGHTS // 2009 DAKAR RALLY

The VW Motorsport team played it safe this afternoon, with both de Villiers and Miller stopping early in the stage so that teammate Dieter Depping could catch up and the VW Motorsport team could cross the finish line three abreast. This allowed the Mitsubishi Lancer of Joan Roma to take his first (and only) stage win of the 2009 Dakar Rally and gave the American Robbie Gordon (though suffering from throttle issues) a comfortable lead in third. Highlight reel above, overall results after thirteen stages below:

1. Giniel de Villiers - Volkswagen 46h35:14
2. Mark Miller - Volkswagen + 2:20
3. Robby Gordon - Hummer + 1h27:13
4. Ivar Erik Tollefsen - Nissan + 5h55:01
5. Krzysztof Holowczyc - Nissan + 6h37:32
6. Joan Roma - Mitsubishi + 7h27:08
7. Dieter Depping - Volkswagen + 8h28:55
8. Miroslav Zapletal - Mitsubishi +10h52:26
9. Leonid Novitskiy - BMW +13h15:11
10. Rene Kuipers - BMW +14h40:17

Stay with CTD for coverage from the final stage of the 2009 Dakar Rally // 01.20.2009

INTERVIEW // 2010 DAKAR RALLY WINNER: CARLOS SAINZ

Two time World Rally Champion and 2010 Dakar Rally Winner, Carlos Sainz, talks candidly about his latest sporting victory, as well as the future and the emergence of the next generation El Matador... [read more]

What do you consider to be your greatest victory in your motorsport career?

Carlos Sainz: "That's not so easy to answer. I've won two rally world championships and now the ‘Dakar'. In principle both are similar disciplines, however, at the same time completely different. And they are difficult to win. One thing is sure: the Dakar Rally is a great race of enormous importance in the sporting world. To have won this makes me extremely proud, particularly as I won it my way, and according to my understanding of this sport.”

How much experience is required to win a "Dakar”?

"The first thing you need is a car capable of winning. This I had this year with the Race Touareg, and I also had this last year. However, at that time unfortunate circumstances prevented victory. This year we did the job. After starting in cross country rallying in 2005 I first had to learn how to drive quickly and without making mistakes in deep desert sand. That I didn't get bogged down in either 2009 or 2010 during the ‘Dakar' shows that I've mastered this. For this experience counts.”

How much patience is required for a "Dakar” victory?

"When I switched to this discipline I had to work at staying patient. This is one of the big differences to sprint rallies. Throughout the entire rally, during the stages, even in the bivouac – you have to stay patient all the time. Particularly during the ‘Dakar' it's just not possible to ride your luck, the sport is way too complex for this. I think I've understood more and more each year.”

For tactical reasons this year it appears as if you deliberately refrained from winning stages, so as not to open the stage so often on the following day – what is actually a real disadvantage. Pure rationale?

"Indeed, it's possible to have the impression that I wasn't so focussed on taking victory on the day. Even so, to be honest I constantly gave my all, but on the odd occasion was unlucky with dust and punctures. In the second week this impression was justified: With the lead in our pocket we paid more attention to looking after the material, although my team mate Nasser Al-Attiyah got closer and closer by taking more risks. However, Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen offered excellent tactical advice all the time.”

You are unbeaten up to now with your new co-driver Lucas Cruz. What makes the difference?

"Things went well from the beginning and we won the test rallies in Brazil and in the Orient. We have a good relationship with each other and Lucas does an excellent job. From the strategic point of view each victory was well driven. I think, if you take these statistics into consideration, we did our job very well.”

How would you describe your relationship to Lucas Cruz in and outside the cockpit?

"First and foremost Lucas is a first class co-driver and navigator. On top of this, he is rather a quiet person and always relaxed. With these character traits he complements me perfectly. He is highly professional and takes his job very seriously.”

The "Dakar” is also a team sport. Just how important is it to have a good team behind you?

"We discussed earlier that unless you have a car capable of winning it is impossible to win the ‘Dakar'. For me, this also includes the team that prepares the car. So, a real winning team. Being part of a fabulous team like Volkswagen makes me proud. The squad has developed continuously since I was signed five year ago. Every team member knows exactly what they have to do and are extremely professional in doing it. Even on smaller rallies everybody is focussed on winning. The result of this is the one-two-three in the ‘Dakar' for which the team worked extremely hard and deserved.”

As a driver how do you keep your motivation?

"I always tell myself: you have to win for your guys. Winning is the best motivation. The team is fully and entirely devoted to winning, and you can only reward this incredible performance by permanetly doing your utmost. It is a good feeling to repay the crew on my car, my engineer Gerard Zyzik and the management team under Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen and Team manager Peter Utoft with a ‘Dakar' win for their efforts.”

It was a great dream of yours to win the Dakar Rally. Have you now achieved everything in motorsport?

"In life you always need goals which are worth living for, which you have to work towards. If you achieve one of these goals, fulfil a dream, the relief is enormous at first. However, then you set yourself new goals again.”

What goals do you have for the future?

"With the ‘Dakar' only just behind me I haven't given this very much thought. However, I will certainly be getting together with Kris Nissen soon.” (laughs) "Perhaps Volkswagen will move into Formula 1 – that would be just at the right time for me ...”

For this there will shortly be other Sainz candidates. How important to you is the career of your son Carlos Jr., who will start automobile racing this coming season?

"First of all the career is important for him. He must want to do this sport for himself and not because I or somebody else must convince him. I can only support him to the best of my abilities, and this is by not supporting him too little, but also by not supporting him too much. Carlos switches from karting to automobile racing now within the Red Bull scheme. Racing is a completely different discipline to rallying. Luckily my advice can therefore only be general. He must learn the rest himself. It certainly won't be easy for him, but at the moment he's doing a great job.”

Images and Info: VW Motorsport
Editorial: Neil Tozer

STAGE NINE HIGHLIGHTS // 2009 DAKAR RALLy

With yet another stage win, VW Motorsports Carlos Sainz will remain atop the leader board heading into the tenth day of rally competition. Teammate Mark Miller finished second in the stage and subsequently moved himself to second overall. Robbie Gordon, the only other American (besides Miller) still in the hunt for a Dakar victory, managed a third place finish after he was slowed due to repairs. Stage nine highlight reel is available above, top ten results below:

1. Sainz - Volkswagen 33h26:07
2. Miller - Volkswagen + 19:52
3. De Villiers - Volkswagen + 22:58
4. Roma - Mitsubishi + 58:12
5. Gordon - Hummer + 1h34:17
6. Holowczyc - Nissan + 3h23:53
7. Tollefsen - Nissan + 4h05:19
8. Terranova - BMW + 6h04:47
9. Kuipers - BMW + 6h37:23
10. Van Deijne - Mitsubishi + 7h04:42

More coverage from the 2009 Dakar Rally is on the way, stay tuned // 01.14.2009

DAKAR 2009 // AFTER FOUR DAYS...

It's now four days into the 2009 Dakar Rally, and VW Motorsport driver Mark Miller has landed himself in sixth place overall. We received an email from Miller a few weeks before the start of the 2009 Dakar with images and info on his Dakar prepped VW Touareg and have been anxiously awaiting television coverage from the South American rally. After a few days of searching through scattered television coverage, we came across this ‘Stage 4’ summary on YouTube. A truly grueling test of both man and machine, 6000km remain before a Dakar champion can be crowned. Results after four days are listed below:

1. Sainz - Volkswagen - 12h47:45
2. Al Attiyah - BMW + 3:46
3. De Villiers - Volkswagen + 11:33
4. Peterhansel - Mitsubishi + 15:41
5. Roma - Mitsubishi + 20:00
6. Miller - Volkswagen + 20:05
7. Terranova - BMW + 24:30
8. Alphand - Mitsubishi + 41:11
9. Gordon - Hummer + 46:45
10. Holowczyc - Nissan + 47:39

Stay tuned to CTD for additional Dakar coverage // 01.08.2009

NEWS // VOLKSWAGEN UNVEILS RACE TOUAREG 3

Volkswagen has just unveiled the latest iteration of their Dakar dominating Race Touareg, what they are calling the Race Touareg 3. Following in the footsteps of the Race Touareg 2, which won both the 2009 and 2010 Dakar Rally, the new truck feature a handful of aesthetic changes, such as new LED running lights up front, a new grill and a different set of 16-inch wheels wrapped in 235/85 BF Goodrich tires.

Power will come from a twin-turbocharged 2.5-liter TDI motor that produces 296 hp and 442 lb/ft of tourque. According the VW, the Race Touareg 3’s TDI powerplant will be more efficent than its predecessor without sacraficing power and is capable of pushing the Race Touareg 3 to 62 mph in just 6.1 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 117 mph.

Follow the link for the official press release... [read more]

VOLKSWAGEN UNVEILS ITS NEW DAKAR CHALLENGER

Volkswagen has unveiled its new Dakar challenger, the Race Touareg 3.

Replacing the Race Touareg 2, twice winner in 2009 and 2010 of the gruelling Dakar Rally and the first diesel-powered vehicle ever to win the event, the new Race Touareg 3 promises to be faster and more efficient while retaining the immense strength and durability of the outgoing car.

Wind tunnel testing has led to changes being made to the carbon fibre and Kevlar bodywork with particular attention to improving the cooling systems around the roof of the vehicle while minimising disruption to the airflow at high speeds. At the same time the changes have meant the Touareg has adopted a fresh look with new LED lights, a new grille, window line, rear clamshell and wheels.

Beneath the bodywork the twin-turbocharged 2.5-litre TDI engine has been optimised to allow greater economy while still producing 300 PS and 442 lbs ft of torque. It has also been revised to cope with the severe altitude changes incurred on the Dakar with the vehicle climbing to heights of over 15,000 feet above sea level. The Race Touareg 3 can now adapt to these conditions, meaning the performance doesn't suffer despite the thinner air encountered at such altitudes.

The 2.5-litre engine channels its drive through three limited slip differentials via a newly upgraded five-speed sequential gearbox and a ZF-Sachs three-plate ceramic clutch.

The result is the ability to accelerate to 62 mph in 6.1 seconds before reaching a top speed of 117 mph in nearly any conditions.

In order to maintain these speeds in extreme off-road conditions the Race Touareg 3 needs to be able to withstand the rigours passing over sand dunes, through deep mud, and across gravel and broken tarmac roads. As a result the Race Touareg 3 is based on a high-strength steel spaceframe chassis with a pair of springs and damper units fitted to every corner in order to protect the vehicle against severe impacts. A set of specially developed BF Goodrich 235/85 R16 tyres provide the grip while a pair of wheels and tyres are carried by the vehicle at all times.

The new Race Touareg 3 has already undergone shakedown tests comprising 10,000 kilometres of simulated special stages ahead of the 2011 Dakar Rally. This equates to twice the length of the Rally itself and a greater distance than Formula 1 cars cover in an entire season.

Image and Info: Autoblog
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

STAGE SEVEN HIGHLIGHTS // 2009 DAKAR RALLY

The VW Motorsport team maintained their one, two, three standings at the end of stage seven, due largely in part to Carlos Sainz scoring his third stage victory of the 2009 Dakar Rally. A much needed day of rest lies ahead. Highlight reel above, top ten results below:
 
1. Sainz - Volkswagen 23h42:40
2. De Villiers - Volkswagen + 00:09
3. Miller - Volkswagen + 13:53
4. Roma - Mitsubishi + 29:16
5. Gordon - Hummer + 1h08:21
6. Holowczyc - Nissan + 2h39:32
7. Tollefsen - Nissan + 2h59:21
8. Van Deijne - Mitsubishi + 5h30:18
9. Zapletal - Mitsubishi + 6h25:46
10. De Azevedo - Mitsubishi + 9h31:20

Stay tuned to CTD for more coverage from Dakar // 01.11.2009

STAGE TEN HIGHLIGHTS // 2009 DAKAR RALLY

With yet another stage win for Carlos Sainz and the VW Motorsport team, it beginning to look like the German automaker will take the 2009 Dakar Rally. But don’t count Robbie Gordon out. After a fifth place finish in the ninth stage, Gordon put pedal to metal and managed a second place finish in stage ten, finishing just 21 seconds off the leader Sainz. Highlight reel above, top ten results below:

1. Sainz - Volkswagen 38h59:027
2. Miller - Volkswagen + 27:31
3. De Villiers - Volkswagen + 41:13
4. Roma - Mitsubishi + 1h13:13
5. Gordon - Hummer + 1h34:38
6. Tollefsen - Nissan + 5h14:18
7. Kuipers - BMW + 8h01:51
8. Palik - Nissan + 9h50:29
9. Holowczyc - Nissan + 13h04:54
10. Chicherit - BMW + 13h32:04

Stay tuned to CTD for more Dakar coverage after the weekend // 01.16.2009

STAGE SIX HIGHLIGHTS // 2009 DAKAR RALLY

Word has it, Nasser Al-Attiyah has been DQ’d from the 2009 Dakar Rally after missing a marker at some point during the sixth stage. The disqualification gives the VW team the top three spots with CTD supporter, Mark Miller, making his way to third overall. Highlight reel above, top ten results after six stages below:

1. De Villers - Volkswagen 20.59.34
2. Sainz  - Volkswagen + 07:39
3. Miller - Volkswagen + 17:51
4. Roma - Mitsubishi + 31:18
5. Peterhansel - Mitsubishi + 34:27
6. Gordon - Hummer + 1:11:47
7. Holowczyc - Nissan + 2:33:15
8. Tollefsen - Nissan +  2:45:57
9. Terranova - BMW + 2:50:35
10. Kuppers - BMW +  4:19:39

Stay with CTD for continued Dakar coverage after the weekend // 01.10.2009

TOUAREG 2 // PREPPING FOR THE 2009 DAKAR

Prepping for the 2009 Paris-Dakar Rally, the guys at VW Motorsport have been working round the clock to finish up their Touareg 2 entry. Powered by a 2.5-liter five cylinder, good for 280bhp, VW has until November 15th to complete their rig and ship it to France for a pre-race evaluation. The 2009 Paris-Dakar will see the green flag on January 3rd, cover 5,600 miles and countless country’s. ColdTrackDays editor, Justin Coffey, had a chance to ride with VW Team driver Mark Miller at this years Mazda Grand Prix of Portland, allowing him a bit of insight into what a true off-road champion is all about. Stay with ColdTrackDays, as we continue to cover VW’s efforts at a Dakar win // 10.28.2008

GEAR // OFFICIAL TIMEPIECE OF THE '09 DAKAR

With the 2009 Dakar Rally just a few months away (Jan.3), we thought it appropriate to feature a bit of 'Dakar Gear' for all you early Xmas shoppers. The Wyler Geneve chronograph, Limited to 182 pieces, is the official watch of the 6,000 mile rally. Using a shock absorbing case, movement sealed within a titanium container affixed to a carbon-fibre resin frame, with sprung titanium springs to keep things in place, the result is an independently suspended movement, no easy task. The chronograph's also features a material known as tantalum (apparently rarer than gold), which gives the watch its blue-grey sheen, as well as sand color detailing, Arabic numerals and a black rubber strap, you are not likely to see yourself coming or going. Price is undetermined, but more info is available here // 11.17.2008

MEDIA RIDES AND DAKAR // VW MOTORSPORTS MARK MILLER

When we met Mark Miller at the Mazda Grand Prix of Portland this past summer, CTD editor Justin Coffey managed to sort out a 'media ride' in one of the Jetta TDI Cup cars, seemingly unaware of Miller's motorsport background. It wasn't until later that he realized just who had taken him around PIR and he quickly dispatched an email thanking Miller for the ride and wishing him luck in the '09 Dakar.

Well a lot has happened since our first encounter with Mark Miller and though it was not his Volkswagen Touareg TDI that won the 2009 Dakar Rally, he did manage a second place finish overall, falling just 8:59 behind teammate and overall winner, Giniel de Villiers.

For a few more shots of Mark Miller and his weapons of choice, click through here // 01.29.2009

AUDI LMP1 + GROCERY GETTER // TOUAREG TROPHY TRUCK

When looking into the 2009 Baja 1000, we came across a few stock photos of the VW Motorsport Touareg TDI Trophy Truck. Powered by the same 5.5L V12 turbodiesel that can be found in Audi's R10 Le Mans prototype, the TDI Touareg produces 550 bhp and 627 lb/ft of torque, and managed to finish 13th overall (18:58:12) in last years SCORE Baja 1000.

For 2009, Mark Miller and Ryan Arciero will again pilot VW's TDI Trophy Truck, and with Miller fresh off a second place finish at this years Dakar Rally, the team looks to do well come November // 02.14.2009

WTCC // Back to Morocco

The World Touring Car Championship is a bit braver than I am. Terrorists or not, they are headed back to Morocco. Home to Grand Prix's and touring car races until 1958, Morocco has been absent of road racing for some time. With the Paris-Dakar rally being canceled due to an increase in terrorist threats and general unrule in much of Africa, it is a bit of shocker than the WTCC is willing to race in Morocco. The courses once used by touring and formula cars are long since gone, so the FIA is working on a street course through the Moroccan city of Marrakech. Expecting to draw over 100,000 spectators, the WTCC will begin running in the North African country on May 1, 2009 // 07.09.2008