Happy Race Day!!

And Happy New Years!

I just got off the phone with Steve. He is winding down for the night getting ready for the Rally to start! Today was scrutineering for the competitors, which is the Rally's version of technical inspection. Both other times Steve has participated in Dakar this day has been 8+ hours long filled with being told what you did wrong and how many hours you have to fix it. There are normally a lot of last minute changes to bikes, gear, or anything else you can think of. Well, apparently things are a little different when you are not a privateer, because Steve was through scruntineering in two hours today!

On the way to the inspection Steve and Eliseo drove in the Hummer for the first time. He said everything went great, and is looking forward to learning the ins and outs of the Hummer. Lucky for him, he has about 6,000 miles to be able to do this!

Tomorrow he and Eliseo will leave the podium at about 5pm their time, which is noon on the west coast. They will drive through a HUGE sea of people and go through the first day with no special (timed section). He is hoping to be done with the day at about 10pm, get a good night's rest, and then start day 2 around noon. On day four, Steve and Eliseo are scheduled to meet the president of Chile! One of the bonuses of having a Chilean teammate :) Steve said that the Chilean fans are going crazy whenever they see Eliseo or the Hummer! He can't imagine how much more intense it will get when they are actually in Chile!

There are recent pictures and videos on www.planetrobby.com. Also, check out www.toyotires.com to read a blog from one of the support crew, and see pictures! Well, that's all for tonight! I will report back with how Steve's first day went tomorrow.

Happy New Year!
Alison

Driving to tech inspection...

Steve recorded a little video of driving to tech inspection. Robby and Kellon are in the hummer in front of them, and that is Eliseo driving.

Video from the hotel pits...

Hello!

Check out this link for a video from the "pits" in the hotel parking lot. Pretty good footage of the support trucks and hummers!

http://www.planetrobby.com/video/team-hummer-dakar-prep-day-2

The Hummer is ready to go!

The mechanics finished everything up today, and the Hummer is ready for the rally!

Here are Steve and Eliseo in front of their hummer.

Cool pictures!

Check out this link for some cool pictures from day one and two!

http://www.planetrobby.com/group/planetdakarracecentral/forum/topic/show?id=2181693%3ATopic%3A372436&xg_source=msg

All jacked up!

The hummer on it's jack! Just push a button and its up!

2 Days To Go!!

Hello Everyone!

There was not too much to report about yesterday. I talked to Steve at about 930pm my time yesterday, which was 530 his time, which (if my calculations serve me correctly) was 1230pm in California, and he said he was working on the Hummers in the parking lot of their hotel. Naturally, I questioned this, because I’m pretty sure there is a whole team of mechanics getting paid to do that. He said I was right, and by working on the Hummers he meant he was hanging out with some of the team while others were actually working. It reminded me of how many hours he and Bret Leef spent working on his bike in the heat before the 2009 Dakar started. I bet he likes his current situation a little better! I am glad to hear that it seems like he wont have to worry about anything other than his job of navigating before the rally starts; that should relieve quite a bit of stress!  

I just got off the phone with Steve today, and he said he is really tired. Since he had to stay in Miami for an extra night and take a day flight, he has been all thrown off of his sleeping schedule. It doesn’t help that the norm in South America is to eat dinner very late; most times you’re not done until after midnight. Steve said that he is going to make sure to eat dinner early tonight so he can finally get a full night’s sleep and be ready for tomorrow when Robby and Eliseo arrive. He might be emailing pictures to me tonight so I will make sure to post them if he does, but he warned me that they might look the same as yesterday since they are pretty much doing the same thing.

Steve wanted to add that he greatly appreciates all of the support that you all are giving him! I have shared with him every time someone sends positive thoughts and wishes along. Thank you for all of the kind words!

Talk to you all soon!

Alison

A Little video...

Here is a little video Steve sent of the Hummer running.

Prepping for the Rally!

Steve has made it to Buenos Aires!! Here are some pictures he sent me a little while ago...

The Hummers in front of the chase truck

The side of the chase truck going up in the parking lot of their hotel!

Hummer #327

Hummer #327 getting off of the boat in Buenos Aires! Check www.planetrobby.com for more pictures!

Dakar here they come!

Hello Dakar Fans!!

There is not too much to report as of now. Steve was originally supposed to be in Buenos Aires already, but because his flight to Miami had two mechanical failures, he missed his flight with the rest of the team to Argentina. American Airlines put him in a hotel last night (room #327, the same as his Hummer!) and he took a different flight to Buenos Aires this morning. He should land there tonight, get settled in and ready for the 2011 Dakar Rally!! After I talk to him I will update you all! Talk to you soon,

Alison