Team Kamaz Master return to defend Dakar truck title

Courtesy of Red Bull Desert Wings

© Alberto Lessmann/Red Bull Content Pool Rosario, Argentina Tuesday, December 31, 2013 The mighty machinery of Team Kamaz Master is back at the Dakar Rally aiming to dominate the truck race. The final podium of the previous edition of the Dakar resembled an ocean of blue as Team Kamaz Master claimed a 1-2-3 finish in the truck race. Now the Russian team return to the desert to prove that this remarkable result was no fluke. The pedigree of Kamaz at the Dakar is indisputable with the team achieving 10 wins since the turn of the new millennium. However, what stood out about their most recent win is that it came after the retirement of the greatest trucker to ever grace the Dakar. Vladimir Chagin’s record-breaking rally-raid career saw him win the Dakar on no less than seven occasions. ‘The Tsar of the Desert’ stills holds the record for victories in a single category at the Dakar. Vladimir retired from racing the Dakar after his win in 2011 and so did his lieutenant Firdaus Kabirov, a two-time winner of the desert classic. When Vladimir and Firdaus stepped out of the cab they left the door of opportunity open for the next generation of Kamaz drivers. Leader of the new pack is Eduard Nikolaev who continued the winning tradition of the team with victory last time out. Eduard was joined on the final podium in Santiago de Chile by his team-mates Ayrat Mardeev and Andrey Karginov. First to congratulate the victorious trio was Vladimir Chagin, now performing the role of Kamaz’s Team Leader. Two more Kamaz drivers will join Eduard, Ayrat and Andrey at the 2014 Dakar Rally as Anton Shibalov and Dmitry Sotnikov take the wheel to complete a five-truck line-up . In addition to some fresh faces inside the cab there has also been significant alterations under the hood of the Kamaz 4326 for the upcoming Dakar. Improved brakes have been installed to help bring the 16 tonne blue beast to a halt. Kamaz also have in mind new emission regulations that will be imposed in 2016 so arrive with not only their trusty Yaroslav engine but also a new motor developed with Liebherr. With such meticulous planning and chess-like tactics out on the stage it remains clear that Team Kamaz Master are still the guys to beat at the Dakar. © Alberto Lessmann/Red Bull Content Pool © Alberto Lessmann/Red Bull Content Pool © Alberto Lessmann/Red Bull Content Pool Quotes Vladimir Chagin – Kamaz Team Leader: “We want to prove that the results last time out did not come by accident and that our new generation of drivers can be even more successful than the last. I have great respect for our competitors and I’m fully aware that they will have been working as hard as we have in preparation for the 2014 Dakar. We’re expecting a very interesting race and we will do our best to delight our fans once again.” Eduard Nikolaev #500 – Team Kamaz Master: “Our team is totally focused on the Dakar. This race is not just two weeks in January for us, the work carries on the whole year. We all have massive respect for those who established the Kamaz brand and the tradition of winning the Dakar. The philosophy of the team is passed down from one generation to another. Now the young crews feel responsible for achieving the success that our heritage demands.” Ayrat Mardeev #503 – Team Kamaz Master: “It has been proven for a long time that the most important thing at the Dakar is endurance. It’s essential to keep up the pace until the finish. We have seen some of our rivals gather speed right at the start but then make mistakes that cost them. I try to be as calm as possible. Whatever happens during the race we must remember to keep our eyes on the road.” Andrey Karginov #506 – Team Kamaz Master: “I felt emptiness after the finish of the Dakar 2013. All year we prepare to the Dakar, we count the days and then it’s suddenly all over. After a dramatic final stage last time when we lost a wheel but still held third place it felt so good to get over the line. People congratulated us and only in that moment do you began to understand that all the dramatic twists and turns of the race have entered into history.” © Alberto Lessmann/Red Bull Content Pool

Early start for 2014 X-Trial

Courtesy of FIM NEWS

This coming Saturday 4th January, just a few days into the new year, will see the 2014 FIM X-Trial World Championship get underway as the British city of Sheffield welcomes the opening event of the new campaign. The Motorpoint Arena on the outskirts of what was once the capital to steel production in the UK is a familiar starting place to the series with the venue having been the initial battleground for the indoor title fight on numerous occasions over the last two decades.

Currently the 2014 FIM X-Trial World Championship is scheduled to visit six individual cities and four countries to deliver six separate rounds of action to decide the eventual winner over the next three-month period. From the island of Great Britain the tour is set to then move on to France before then arriving at the famous Olympic facility high on the hill over looking Barcelona. With five Spanish protagonists listed amongst the eight fixed riders their homecoming is sure to be a noisy one, in what is the largest capacity arena of the series.

Although Italy has no representative in the permanent entry list, the fourth round in Milan is still sure to be an important occasion with the potential to add a home grown wildcard or two to the mix to further excite the already passionate Italian fans. Absent from last year’s calendar the re-inclusion of the Italian city is a welcome boost to the series, especially given the rich history of the sport in this country.

Last season Nice played host to the closing round of the championship, but this time around will occupy the last but one stop on the tour. The beautiful city on the southern French coast is no stranger to hosting such big occasions and has a reputation of creating some close and enthralling battles out on the floor of the Palais Nikaia arena over the years. The presence of France’s highest ranked rider on the World stage as one of the permanent entrants, namely Loris Gubian is sure to add flavor to the evening when the action reaches Nice in late March.

The Spanish capital of Madrid has the honour of bringing the 2014 FIM X-Trial World Championship to a close, with a high chance of the home riders featuring at the sharp end of the title race come this stage in the proceedings. The Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid arena is sure to provide a fitting setting for the climax to the 2014 campaign, with the attractions of the city close at hand for the eventual champion to celebrate late into the night. A new and more dynamic format will await the challengers and contenders when the lights come up on the Sheffield stage. Fans will be entertained, as the World’s best riders are pitted head to head in a knockout style process that will eventually determine the winner come the end of the evening. Although reigning and already seven times FIM Indoor / X-Trial World Champion Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa will start the season as the clear favourite to make it a straight eight, his route to the crown maybe a bit tougher this time around.

The chasing pack of permanent riders will include the usual candidates, which will be led by last year’s runner-up Adam Raga – Gas Gas, fellow compatriots Albert Cabestany – Sherco, Jeroni Fajardo – Beta and 2013 FIM Junior Trial World Cup winner Jorge Casales – Gas Gas. Others nations will be represented by Japan’s Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa, James Dabill – Beta, from Great Britain and the previously mentioned Loris Gubian who will be flying the flag for France. This coming Saturday evening, battle will once again commence amongst these motorised gladiators.

The EWC is changing its face!

Courtesy of FIM NEWS

While it’s the end of the year, the teams have nearly finished their market in the free agency… Today, we propose you a large overview of future teams!

KTM redistributes the cards…
It makes at least one month that the KTM Farioli team is complete! But in 2014, everybody will change of classes. Indeed, Antoine MEO (F) has decided to defy Alex SALVINI (I) in Enduro 2 and will be the only rider of the team in this category. Ivan CERVANTES will make his comeback in the E3 class with the 500cc 4 stroke on which he won his last World Title. The Spanish will be associated to the 2013 Junior World Champion Matthew PHILLIPS (AUS) who will compete on the 300cc 2 strokes. Finally, the big surprise remains as Christophe NAMBOTIN (F) who has radically decided to change and will enter the Championship next to Cristobal GUERRERO (E) in the E1 class. On the supported team side, Fabio FARIOLI will keep the former Crossman Rudy MORONI (I), the other GUERRERO… Victor and also Oscar BALLETTI (I). Nicolo MORI (I), from Beta, and Jeremy JOLY (F) will join them and will ride in the E3 class.

Husqvarna… nearly the same!
With the disappearance of Husaberg, it’s now Thomas GUSTAVSSON who will manage the official Husqvarna team in the EWC. And the first change will come from the name as the team is now called “Bel-Ray Husqvarna Factory team”. Otherwise… there are few changes in the team. Thomas OLDRATI (I) in E1, Pierre-Alexandre RENET (F) in E2, Mathias BELLINO (F) in E3 and Loïc LARRIEU (F) and Jamie MCCANNEY (GB) in the Junior class. Exit Oriol MENA (E). But the big question is which class will choose Joakim LJUNGGREN (S). We heard that the Swede is hesitating between the big and the small engine…

For the supported team, we’ll see again Christophe ROBERT (CH), the actual leader of the SuperEnduro Women Cup Jane DANIELS (GB) and the young guns Albin ELOWSON (S) and Jesper BORJESSON (S) while Jeff GOBLET (B) can join them just like Manuel MONNI (I) and Mario ROMAN (E)…

Honda plays on SALVINI
Good Bye HM Honda, Welcome Red Moto. But on the team side, once again not so many changes. Exit Simone ALBERGONI (I) who gave not so many satisfactions to Franco MAYR last year. Alex SALVINI (I), despite numerous rumors of transfers in autumn, will fight again for the E2 class. Now, we don’t know if one or others riders will team with SALVINI…

Gas Gas…
During the offseason, the Catalan team managed by Sergi DURAN has realized some nice shots! Instead the retirement of Rodrig THAIN (F), the team has recorded the comeback of Oriol MENA (E) who we still don’t know the class and the arrival of former EEAT rider Antoine BASSET (F)… Jonathan MANZI (I), who has signed a contract with Gas Gas Italy, must make some apparitions during the Iberic tour and the Italian Grand Prix… and what about the School of Champions?

Beta signs REDONDI
As last year, Fabrizio DINI was looking for three riders for 2014, and he has made some nice shots in the free agency! Luis CORREIA (P) has signed a new contract to rider in E3 and most of all, the Italian firm has signed the 2 times World Champion Johnny AUBERT (F) to fight for the podium in E2 and more recently, 2013 Junior vice-Champion Giacomo REDONDI (I – Photo). Two faces who have the talent and the desire to fight for the title in their respective classes… Decidedly, the Beta ambitions are getting bigger and bigger!

Beta Boano is getting stronger!
For the other team Beta managed by Jarno BOANO, a nice operation has been done too… Indeed, while Deny PHILLIPAERTS (I) continues his adventure in E3, it’s the 2013 SuperEnduro Junior World Champion Danny MCCANNEY (GB) who joins the team with only one goal, the Junior title for his last year in his category! Davide SORECA (I), on his side, should ride for the title in the FIM Youth Cup 125cc…

Sherco all-round…
But the brand which has made the most of noise in the offseason remains the French/Spanish brand based in Nimes. Indeed, in addition to sign David KNIGHT (GB) for Hard Enduro, SuperEnduro and few EWC races, the firm managed by Marc TEISSIER has benefited of the “Husaberg/Husqvarna changes” to recruit Fabrizio AZZALIN as team manager. A team which must be called Sherco CH Racing team. While Sherco had already signed Lorenzo SANTOLINO (E) in September, “AZZA” should bring in his luggage the Finn Matti SEISTOLA… It is two nice international faces who will team with Fabien PLANET (F – E3), Jérémy TARROUX (F – E1) and Jessica GARDINER (AUS – Women). On the Moto Pulsion team side, the team will remain unchanged with Anthony BOISSIERE (F) in E1 and Julien GAUTHIER (F) in E2. But we’ll see more blue in the paddock this year as Didier VALLADE (Commercial Sherco) has signed the 2013 Women French Champion Geraldine FOURNEL and Frederic BOLLEY son, Theo BAZERQUE in his Sherco Academy team who will participate to three or four Grand Prix in 2014. The multiple German Champion Marcus KEHR (D) has also joined Sherco…

TM in advance
For TM, everything’s ready since more than a month. Luca CHERUBINI hasn’t change nothing from last year with Eero REMES (SF) in E1 and Aigar LEOK (EST) in E3… Dawid CIUCCI (I) will also join the TM team and is a good recruitment for the firm from Pesaro.

Ina TV Racing and Yamaha
The sympathetic Greek team had a nice 2013 season with the title of best private team of the year. But this season, Yannis KOLIGLIATIS (manager) is a wised man. For instance… Indeed, Juliette BERREZ (F) will still represent the team in the Women World Cup while Nicolas DEPARROIS (F) will still ride in E1. The young Portuguese Luis OLIVEIRA (P) should join this nice team which will still ride on Yamaha.

EAT and its new guys
Good Bye Alexandre QUEYREYRE (F) and Antoine BASSET (F). The most experienced guys are now Kevin ROHMER (F) still under contract, and Jeremy MIROIR (F). The son of Jean Luc MIROIR will enter the FIM Youth Cup 125cc. Those two riders will be join by Anthony GESLIN (F) and Maelig BRON-FONTANNAZ (F), the two young guns, of the team of Frederic WEILL that is still continuing his partnership with Yamaha Motor France.

Bordone Ferrari is back…
Or at least, that is what we heard on the EWC… Less than a year after the end of a nice adventure, a new team is going to be built on via Emilio COMOTTI. Indeed, COMOTTI has already found a top rider with Simone ALBERGONI (I) who will be help by Mirko GRITTI (I) and the young Guido CONFORTI (I) and Nicolas PELLEGRINELLI (I)… KTM should equip the Italian team. Stay tuned…

Rigo Racing
The Italian team equip with Suzuki bikes and managed by Marco RIGO should present the same face as last year with Maurizio MICHELUZ (I) in Enduro 1 and the young Andrea MANARIN (I) in the FIM Youth Cup 125cc…

Frenchies
On the side of the Frenchies who are not under contract with a team, Romain DUMONTIER and Marc BOURGEOIS must continue their adventure as private rider. After a long injury in 2013, “Dudu” is really looking forward to make a big comeback in the EWC and to show his talent on the handlebar of his Yamaha. BOURGEOIS, on his side, should make more apparitions in the World scene in 2014…

Johansson MPE
In the Swedish private team who took more importance last year, it’s totally a mystery… With the retirement of Marko TARKKALA (SF) and the signature of Jeremy JOLY (F) with KTM France, Joakim JOHANSSON is now without his two best riders… What about Jemma WILSON (AUS) and Jakob MORHED (S)? Some start of answers in few times…

Laïa SANZ
Another big question concerned the situation of Laïa SANZ (E)… Free of any contract since the start of the 2013 season, the 2 times Enduro World Champion will race the Dakar with a Honda. Will she do the same in 2014 in the EWC? Will an official team sign her? So many questions in which will have quickly some answers…

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: Dakar Video Preview

Courtesy of KTM

 

KTM Factory Riders Ready To Race Dakar; the preview video

KTM is excited to share with you this preview video of Marc Coma, Ruben Faria and Francisco Lopez who will begin the notoriously tough Dakar race aboard the newly designed Factory 450cc Rally machine.

The 2014 edition of the world’s most renowned rally is also new era for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team who are well prepared to face the challenges of what organizers say will be one of the longest and most difficult to date.

Starting in Rosario, Argentina on January 5 and ending in Valparaiso, Chile on January 18, riders will travel 8734 km of which a massive 5228 km is to be timed special. They will cover a wide variety of terrain in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.

Robby Gordon Piloting Technologically Improved SPEED Energy/Toyo Tires HST Gordini in 2014 Dakar Rally

Courtesy of Speed Energy Racing

 

Robby Gordon Piloting Technologically Improved   SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires HST Gordini in 2014 Dakar Rally   More than 1 Billion to Witness on Television

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (December 30, 2013) – Robby Gordon will begin his tenth Dakar Rally in Rosario, Argentina Jan. 5 as one of 149 international competitors as he again competes to become the first American in history to win the most extreme and demanding motorsports event in the world. Widely regarded as one of the world’s best off-road racers, Gordon’s previous attempts at overall Dakar Rally victory have resulted in an amazing nine stage victories, however, the overall title has eluded him. In 2005, his initial Dakar Rally effort, he become the first American to win a stage in the race which began in 1979. Entering its 35th edition, Frenchmen have dominated the Rally, taking 19 overall victories. Finland has produced five race winners, Japan three, Germany two and one each from South Africa, Belgium, Qatar, Spain and Sweden. “I feel more prepared than in any of our previous trips to the Dakar Rally,” Gordon said. “Since our first race in 2005, where we accomplished our goal of becoming the first American to win a stage, our focus has been on winning the overall title. I believe with the experience we have, and the new car we have built, this year could be our time.” Known for building the fastest and most innovative off-road vehicles in the world, in 2014 Gordon is introducing a brand-new race car for his Dakar effort, the lightest and most technologically advanced machine he has ever built. The car was built in North Carolina and draws off of designs and experience that have propelled him to three Baja 1000 victories, four Baja 500 victories and seven Score-International Off-Road Championships in addition to his Dakar stage victories. The SPEED Energy/Toyo Tires sponsored HST Gordini is an FIA-chassis truck built on top of 37-inch Toyo Tires and around a V-8 engine. Finding speed should not be a challenge for Gordon and navigator Kellon Walch. “Since our first trip to Dakar with our own car in 2006 (Gordon drove for Volkswagen in 2005), Toyo Tires has been there with me. In last year’s Rally we had no tire failures in the entire race – truly amazing. With that same kind of performance and the fact that we have had the fastest car for several years, we will just need to eliminate mistakes to try to capture the overall title in the world’s toughest race.” Gordon’s top overall finish in the Dakar Rally came in 2009 when he registered a third-place finish. His 2013 race proved to be particularly frustrating for the former IndyCar and NASCAR star, when he overcame a transmission issue in the first stage of the Rally only to crash in stage four after slowly rolling over a large sand dune and damaging the car’s radiators which were mounted on the front of the vehicle. Despite winning two of the Rally’s final 10 stages and finishing top 5 in 10 of 14 stages, Gordon could not overcome the significant deficit he built for himself following his mechanical issues and finished 14th in the field of 153 cars. “Racing is full of ‘what-ifs,’” Gordon said. “Like anything else in life you learn from your mistakes and move on to the next challenge. We learned a lot about ourselves over the last 10 stages last year and it gives our team tremendous confidence returning to Argentina.” The 2014 Dakar Rally will wind its way through three countries. Starting in Argentina the race will take a short route through Bolivia before finishing on Jan. 18 in Valparaiso, Chile. The Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), which sanctions the Dakar Rally as well other marquee events including the Tour De France, reports that more than one billion fans in 190 countries tuned into the 2013 edition of the race on television, making it the most watched motorsports event in the world – surpassing Formula 1, the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 combined.   To follow Gordon and the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires team as they try to rise above the competition at the legendary Dakar Rally, log onto www.speedenergy.com and www.toyotires.com for race team updates. Fans can also participate in the Dakar Rally experience by connecting on http://www.planetrobby.com and follow along with the team on Facebook and Twitter at: www.facebook.com/thespeedenergydrink, and www.facebook.com/toyotires, http://twitter.com/SPEED_ENERGY, http://twitter.com/ToyoTires. Daily highlights from each stage can be viewed on the NBC Sports Network (DIRECTV Channel 220 / Dish Network Channel 159 / AT&T U-Verse Channel 1640 / Verizon FiOS Channel 590) January 5th-18th. Please check your local listings for times & schedules for NBC Sports Network.

About SPEED Energy – SPEED Energy is available in four flavors: Unleaded, Fuel, Ethanol 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 16 ounce 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 www.speedenergy.com or connect with SPEED Energy on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thespeedenergydrink and by following on Twitter at http://twitter.com/SPEED_ENERGY. About Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. – Toyo Tires manufactures and distributes a complete line of premium replacement tires for nearly every make and model including high performance cars, luxury vehicles, light trucks and SUVs as well as tires for commercial trucks. For more information log onto http://www.toyotires.com and connect with the community on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ToyoTires and follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ToyoTires.

Hibbert On Track to Become Winningest Snocross Racer of All-Time

Courtesy of ISOC Racing

December 30, 2013 – Monster Energy/Arctic Cat’s Tucker Hibbert will attempt to break the all-time Pro National snocross win record this weekend at his home state race in Shakopee, Minn. Canterbury Park Racetrack will host rounds five and six of the ISOC National Snocross tour Friday and Saturday.

Hibbert, the defending ISOC Pro Open Champion, has been on a tear this season winning all four contested main events, boosting his win record to 84 and tying Blair Morgan for all-time premier class victories. The on track battles between Hibbert and Morgan are known as the most intense and electrifying races in the history of snocross. With Morgan no longer competing, Hibbert has continued to dominate the sport. At the season opener Thanksgiving weekend in Duluth, the 29-year-old lapped the entire 15-rider field, setting the stage for another record-breaking season.

With Pro Open finals Friday and Saturday night at Canterbury Park, Hibbert has two shots at Morgan’s record. Pro racing action kicks off at six o’clock both nights. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online. Visit www.isocracing.com for more information.

Tucker Hibbert – #68 Monster Energy/Arctic Cat

“Canterbury is one of the best events of the season. There’s always a big crowd and with all this cold weather, we should have a really nice track. I’m pumped that we’re racing under the lights. It creates a really exciting atmosphere to race in.

Having the chance to beat Blair’s win record is awesome. I’m going to approach this race just like every race and do my best to win.”

Media Opportunity

What: Press Conference and Riding Display

When: Thursday, January 2 – 1 p.m.

Where: Canterbury Park Racetrack -1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, MN

Noteworthy

From Shakopee, Hibbert and his crew will travel to Colorado for Winter X Games training and testing. On January 26 in Aspen, Hibbert will attempt to become the first athlete in history to win seven consecutive X Games gold medals.

Fast Facts

• Hometown: Pelican Rapids, Minnesota

• Seven-Time National Snocross Champion

• 84 National Pro Wins – Tied with Blair Morgan

• 11-Time X Games Snocross Medalist

• 2012 and 2010 FIM Snowcross World Champion

Resources: tucker-hibbert.com • monsterenergy.com • arcticcat.com • isocracing.com

###

Images by John Hanson

2013 MCE BSB: The final statistics

Courtesy of BSB British Superbike

As 2013 draws to a close and we look ahead to the 2014 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship season, here is a review of some of the statistics of an incredible year.

 

Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne reached an incredible 50th MCE BSB race win at Oulton Park, extending the benchmark of the most victories in the championship to end the season on 51 race wins. He now holds eight more than Ryuichi Kiyonari on 43.

 

Halsall Racing Kawasaki scored their first podium finish in their debut season with Tommy Bridewell at Cadwell Park with an emotional second place. The team then went on to fight for the win at the season finale at Brands Hatch, with Lee Costello scoring his first MCE BSB podium finish in second place when Josh Brookes narrowly edged him to the line.

 

Josh Brookes scored his first triple win at the season finale at Brands Hatch with Tyco Suzuki; the Australian became only the fifth rider to achieve the feat after Leon Camier (2009), Ryuichi Kiyonari (2010), Tommy Hill (2012) and Shane Byrne (2012).

 

BMW claimed their first pole position in MCE BSB at Donington Park with James Westmoreland. The team set the pace as the German manufacturer made championship history. The team also celebrated making the Showdown for the first time with Westmoreland.

 

The closest race finish of the season was at Silverstone when a photo finish and just 0.012 seconds separated Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Alex Lowes for the race two victory.

 

Five manufacturers were part of the 2013 Showdown six for the second consecutive season (Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and BMW) which is the same as in 2012.

 

The sixth place in the Showdown was decided for the first time on results count back as Buildbase BMW team-mates James Westmoreland and Jon Kirkham ended the Main Season equal on points. Westmoreland had scored one more fourth place compared to his team-mate to secure his position.

 

The one point margin between Shane Byrne and Alex Lowes ahead of the final round was the closest gap in the standings since the Showdown was introduced. Previously the closest difference in points going into the final round of the season was eight points between John Hopkins and Tommy Hill in 2011.

 

Alex Lowes became the youngest title winner of the championship; previously it had been held by 2009 champion Leon Camier.

 

DAKAR 2014: DAKAR DIGITAL, CITA EN TODAS LAS PANTALLAS / LIVE THE RALLY ON ANY SCREEN

Courtesy of A.S.O./Dakar Media

Issy-les-Moulineaux, el 30 diciembre 2013

DAKAR DIGITAL: CITA EN TODAS LAS PANTALLAS     El éxito mediático del Dakar es extensivo a todos los soportes desde su creación y el entorno digital no es ninguna excepción, atrayendo a millones de internautas y congregando a una comunidad nada desdeñable en las redes sociales. En 2014, invitamos a los aficionados y seguidores a sumergirse de lleno en el corazón del rally.   Dakar.com: nueva aplicación móvil   Permitir a los internautas seguir el Dakar en tiempo real, esa es la misión de la web dakar.com, que proporciona información en directo desde la salida de cada especial hasta la llegada de los primeros camiones a través de un goteo constante de noticias. Los apasionados del rally podrán acceder también a las clasificaciones y a entrevistas de los principales protagonistas de cada etapa y descubrir las peripecias de los pilotos amateur o información “entre bastidores” de la organización en la sección Dakar Mag. Todos los videos oficiales del rally se encontrarán disponibles a diario en la web oficial, así como en las cadenas especializadas creadas en la plataformas You Tube y Daily Motion. En 2013, los videos publicados recibieron en torno a 5 millones de vistas. Asimismo, también podrá accederse al contenido publicado en dakar.com (clasificaciones, posiciones, recorridos, imágenes, videos, etc.) a través de la aplicación móvil, que presenta este año un nuevo diseño, sigue siendo gratuita y ha sido adaptada a las distintas generaciones de iPhones y smartphones Android.     Facebook y Twitter: en el corazón del vivac   Más de 850.000 amigos en Facebook y de 100.000 seguidores en Twitter han optado ya por participar en el Dakar a su manera. En Facebook, los momentos clave de la carrera serán retransmitidos desde el terreno y se seleccionará a diario la “foto del día” (“pic of the day”) entre las imágenes tomadas por los espectadores al borde de la pista. Este año, la cuenta oficial de Twitter, que difunde información de interés durante toda la jornada, se verá reforzada por tres hilos, uno por cada idioma (francés, inglés, español), en los que se cargarán todas las noticias del día, entrevistas y demás información de actualidad publicada en la web. Asimismo, los seguidores tendrán citas diarias exclusivas para conocer, por ejemplo, el vivac al final de la jornada (#insidedakar), acceder a entrevistas a los pilotos en directo (#askdakar) o informarse sobre las llegadas por la noche (#dakarnight). Toda la información sobre la carrera disponible en Twitter se recogerá bajo el hashtag oficial #dakar2014. Otra novedad es que los contenidos publicados en #dakar2014 de forma simultánea en Twitter, Instagram y Facebook serán agregados a la plataforma digital My Dakar, accesible en la dirección www.dakar.com/mydakar. Además, se ha creado una cuenta oficial en la red social BBM, en inglés y español, y una versión china en la red social Weibo, que reúne a 500 millones de usuarios.         Más información en www.dakar.com   ***** Issy-les-Moulineaux, the 30th December 2013     DAKAR DIGITAL: LIVE THE RALLY ON ANY SCREEN     The media success of the Dakar has been evident in all formats since it started. This success now continues in the digital domain, which attracts web surfers in their millions and creates an enormous community on social networks in the process. In 2014, fans and followers will be able to get right into the heart of the rally.     Dakar.com: a new mobile app   Allowing web surfers to follow the Dakar as it unravels is the mission of the dakar.com website. It provides live information from the start of each special stage until the arrival of the first trucks through a series of dispatches that is updated daily. Fans of the rally will be able to simultaneously see the classification, interviews with key drivers/riders in each stage, the experiences of amateur competitors or behind-the-scenes shots of the event’s organisation in the ‘Dakar Mag’ section. All the official videos of the rally will be available every day on the official rally website, and also on the dedicated channels set up on YouTube and Daily Motion. In 2013, there were 5 million hits on video clips of the rally. The content published on dakar.com (classification, positions, stage maps, photos, videos, etc.) is also available on the mobile app, which has been redesigned this year. It is still free of charge and can be used on any iPhone or Android smartphone.     Facebook and Twitter: right inside the bivouac   Almost 850,000 fans on Facebook and over 100,000 subscribers to Twitter have already decided how they are going to participate in the Dakar. On Facebook, the key moments of the race will be relayed from the stage and a ‘Pic of the Day’ will be selected from among the photos taken by spectators along the way. This year the official Twitter account will relay key information throughout the day, and bulletins, interviews and other updates will be published on the website in three languages (French, English, Spanish). Exclusive daily bulletins will also be sent to followers so that they can see what is happening in the bivouac at the end of the day (#insidedakar), ask the competitors questions directly (#askdakar) or follow night-time arrivals (#dakarnight). All the information on Twitter will be included under the official hashtag #dakar2014. Another new feature is that the content simultaneously published on #dakar2014 and Twitter, Instagram and Facebook will be added to the My Dakar digital platform at www.dakar.com/mydakar. An official account has also been created on the social network BBM (in English and Spanish). A Chinese version will also be adapted for Weibo, a social network with 500 million users!     More information on www.dakar.com