Between the layover day in Africa, and the weekend we’ve missed a day’s Dakar news, so today we get a double dose of Dakar from Team Dakar USA.

Press releases for stage 12 & 13 and stage 13 video after the break

Stage 11 Report:
There was no timed section for Stage 11.

Stage 12 Report Ayoun – Kayes

Leading through the first checkpoint, the navigational aspects showed on stage 12 of the 2007 Dakar Rally. A split second decision to follow another cars dust sent Team Dakar USA astray and into a rock garden that ultimately cost the Monster Hummer a strong finish. Gordon and his Monster Hummer were the 23rd car to start the special and despite the navigation challenges managed to finish 13th for the day. The team managed to hang on to it’s eighth place in the overall classification - 07:02:57 back of leader Stephane Peterhansel.

Robby Gordon’s Quotes on Stage 12
“One more stage gone and one more stage we could have one. We were on it, leading through CP 1 and CP 2 and about 60 km from the end we got lost and we got ourselves stuck in a rock garden. We gave up about 20 minutes which is very disappointing since we have had no mechanical issues so far. Tomorrow we’ll start closer to the front so hopefully we can make up some ground and try to win another stage.”

The Dakar Rally can be seen on the Versus Network in the United States. In addition Team Dakar USA has teamed up with Micron to provide daily video updates that can be seen on RobbyGordon.com. To see all the videos from the 2007 Dakar Rally visit youtube.com/rgm7

STAGE 13 - Kayes – Tambacounda

A day in single track and dust made for slow going for Team Dakar USA. Robby Gordon and his American built Hummer managed an 11th place finish for the stage and maintained their 8th place position in the overall classification.

Robby Gordon’s quotes following stage 13

“It was definitely a day of follow the leader. The track was narrow and dusty and we had very little room to pass. We never really got to open up the Hummer and show its strength. The Dakar is winding down and I’m satisfied with what we have accomplished. We certainly have quite a few pages of notes that we will apply to our program next year. The best thing that has come out of this year Dakar Rally is the experience our team has gained. My guys are already looking forward to coming back next year and hitting the ground running right away. Of course we are proud to be the first American team and manufacture to win a stage in the Dakar, but truthfully there is unfinished business for us here. Even though it looks like we are going to win the open category for this year’s race I think when we return our main objective is to give the factory teams a run for their money.”

The Dakar Rally can be seen on the Versus Network in the United States. In addition Team Dakar USA has teamed up with Micron to provide daily video updates that can be seen on RobbyGordon.com. To see all the videos from the 2007 Dakar Rally visit youtube.com/rgm7. Also search youtube.com for “Eurosport Dakar” to see the international programming.