Video. Robby Gordon, an explosive driver on the Dakar

A show in the desert…
The specialists of rally-raid will tell you, the Dakar requires wisdom and foresight as a priority. Two qualities that don't sit well with Robby Gordon. The African spectators, then the American ones, quickly understood this when they saw his sense of attack. And the crazy thing is that it can pay off big! The Rican won two of the first three stages for his debut in 2005 with an official Volkswagen Touareg.

Robby Gordon likes to go fast. This is in a way his main tactic, according to the numerous videos posted on the Internet. And given the fiery reactions from fans, it must be devilishly impressive... and dusty:

…and on the podium
Robby Gordon also stands out from his cohorts during the protocol ceremonies. After greeting the audience, he usually backs up, then jumps onto the welcome ramp, before offering a series of donuts. A treat, against the backdrop of a big US V8!

Cascading accidents
The American has a sense of spectacle. But sometimes things go a little too far! After starting the event at full throttle in 2005, he took off in a series of rolls in Mauritania (12th):

A few years later, he delighted the crowd with a Hummer. Excellent third in 2009 for the first visit to South America, he confused speed and haste in 2012 and ended up on the side:

Rebelote from the fourth day in 2013, passing a dune a little too quickly (14th):

Cavalier behavior
Sometimes the nerves of the American bon vivant can give out. The pilot therefore adopts behavior worthy of a pilot of Nascar (which he was in the 90s and 2000s) and does not hesitate to rush other cars in the desert. His Hummer H3 crashed into the rear bumper of some competitors who were reluctant to let him pass in 2005.

In 2012, he fishtailed Krzysztof Hołowczyc. Some will say that he preferred to fall back as quickly as possible:

Monumental blunders
The same year, Robby Gordon was simply excluded from the rally raid by the organizers, for having abused the regulations. His Hummer buggy had a tire inflation-deflation system (authorized), but the air compressor was turned towards the engine in order to increase the power of the V8 !

Another professional error, much more serious, during the last stage of the 2016 Dakar. During the route to the final finish in Rosario (Argentina), Robby Gordon refueled with a vehicle from his assistance on the open road. The problem is that the two cars are driving at a high speed, while a passenger in the Hummer gives bottles of water to the co-driver.

This could only end badly. A collision sends the Gordini onto its side, while passengers in the Hummer are slightly injured. Let's hope our friend Robby is wiser in 2019, date of his comeback on the Dakar !

his Gordini (no relation with the French brand)