TOUGH STAGE 2 FOR TEAM HUMMER

Team HUMMER – Stage 2: Cordoba to San Miguel de Tucuman. Image from Maindru Photos

San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina (January 3, 2011) – Last year’s edition of the Dakar Rally sent the teams to La Rioja from Cordoba, but today’s stage was new territory for the competitors of the Dakar Rally as the course headed to San Miguel de Tucuman instead.

Robby Gordon knew that the team would not have a strong showing in today’s stage due to the altitude changes and the varying terrain, but he didn’t think that today would end like it did. The No. 303 SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER had a mechanical issue during today’s stage that required it to be stopped for repairs. As a result, Gordon finished 46th and is now 21st overall, 1 hour, 6 minutes and 55 seconds minutes behind the leaders in the overall standings.

"We were actually pretty good through the first few check points. One corner snuck up on me; I didn't see it and just drove the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER off the road, hitting a large rock. This is very unfortunate for our team. Now that we are an hour behind heading into Chile versus only a few minutes, we definitely got our work cut out for us. I think we will be ok though; there is still plenty of racing left,” commented a very disappointed Robby Gordon. “The HUMMER sustained some damage on today’s stage as when we smashed the front of the race vehicle into the rock, and the transmission doesn't have reverse because it broke when I tried to reverse out of my mistake. I would say that we were broke down for maybe an hour today…a very costly hour."

Tomorrow, the third stage of the Dakar Rally, will traverse San Miguel de Tucuman to San Salvador de Jujuy. The special stage has been split into two parts for a total of 226 km.


About SPEED Energy – SPEED Energy is available in three flavors: Unleaded, Fuel, and Octane, which provides the human machine with the fuel it needs to keep up with the SPEED of life. Each drink contains a potent energy blend of B-vitamins, caffeine, taurine and ginseng. SPEED is packaged in 12 ounce sleek cans that have a stylish black top and sexy body and are available in singles, four-packs, and cases. SPEED Energy is available in the United States in major retailers, convenience stores, grocery stores, bars and nightclubs. For more information, please visit speedenergy.com.


Race Coverage – For fans tracking the Dakar Rally at home, please visit speedenergy.com, planetrobby.com, dakar.com along with Facebook and Twitter for daily updates on the team’s performance including a daily recap, photos and videos. The team will also be doing a preview daily leading up to the Rally that details their Dakar program and what it takes to get the team ready to participate in the 14-stage event. The Versus Channel will provide coverage throughout the United States. A 30-minute daily program featuring highlights from that day’s racing will be aired on Versus daily at 3:30 p.m. with a replay airing later in the day. Check your local listing for exact show times.


NEW for 2011 – The SPEED Energy APP featuring exclusive updates of Robby Gordon and his SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER during the 2011 Dakar Rally. Follow Robby as he competes in the world's toughest race through Argentina and Chile. Be the first to hear updates from the driver himself and get exclusive videos and photos during the team's quest to win the coveted Dakar Rally. You'll be able to keep up with Robby during the rally from your iPhone or iPad!


Robby Gordon and Team HUMMER Dakar Statistics



2005

· First American to win a stage in Dakar Rally while driving for the VW Touareg Factory team

· Two stage victories

· Overall 12th place in a field of more than 460 competitors



2006

· Gordon began his own Dakar effort with the creation of Team HUMMER

· Campaigned a purpose built HUMMER H3 in conjunction with General Motors

· Ran as high as fifth in a field of more than 500 competitors before a h*** in the radiator led to mechanical failure



2007

· Returned to Dakar with new sponsor and greater factory engineering support from General Motors

· Won one stage (longest stage overall)

· Overall 8th place finish



2008

· The Dakar Rally was cancelled due to security threats in Mauritana, but Gordon ran in the replacement Rally, the Central European Rally, which took place through Hungary, Romania and Budapest

· Campaigned as a two-race vehicle team and both vehicles finished in overall top-10 (7th and 10th)



2009

· The Dakar Rally was moved to South American and took place in Argentina and Chile

· Campaigned again as a two-race vehicle team

· Robby Gordon finished 3rd overall and the second team HUMMER finished 13th overall



2010

· Campaigned as a three-race vehicle team throughout Argentina and Chile

· Robby Gordon finished 8th overall, the Vanguard HUMMER finished 20th and the Chile HUMMER ended on Stage 3 after the transmission expired