By the time you read this, Robby Gordon and Toyo Tires will have already competed in the legendary Dakar race that takes place every year in January. Having just claimed the overall victory at the 2006 SCORE Baja 1000, Gordon felt more confident than ever about the upcoming Dakar effort. However, just finishing the grueling 16-day race that started in Lisbon, Portugal, and ended more than 5,000 miles away in Dakar, on the west coast of Africa, is no easy task. So we jumped at the opportunity to ride along during one of Gordon's test sessions at Dumont sand dunes located near Baker, California.
Learning from the experience of competing in the 2006 Dakar race, the team made several changes to the vehicle this year, including an upgrade from a five-speed Albins/Weddel transaxle to the faster-shifting sequential six-speed unit. There's also a more aerodynamic body, thanks to wind-tunnel testing in partnership with General Motors, a reworked radiator coolant system, and a new engine package with increased horsepower and torque. We were even lucky enough to hitch a ride with Gordon in the improved H3. We were impressed at how nimble the vehicle felt in the sand dunes. Fast 90-degree turns, like the one shown here, were child's play.
The Hummer shares the same-size 37x13.50R17 Toyo Open Country M/T tires as those used on Gordon's Baja winning Trophy Truck. According to Gordon, "During the Baja 1000, my Toyo Open Country M/T tires were trouble-free and delivered outstanding performance. I look forward to a great run on these tires at Dakar." During 2006, the team logged considerably more test miles on the revised Hummer H3, including using it to prerun a majority of the Baja 1000 race course. On the day we shot this, Gordon's mechanical team was testing out a new CTIS-like tire inflation system. Although somewhat concerned about the vulnerability of the air lines, both the team and Robby were impressed with the system and its ability to change and monitor tire pressure over a variety of terrain.
During the recent Baja 1000, Gordon teamed up with navigator Andy Grider for their victorious drive. The duo would also be paired for the upcoming Dakar marathon with the same goal of winning. | 
The team will have two identically equipped rapid-response Hummer H1 chase vehicles to assist where the larger Mercedes-Benz trucks simply won't fit. Each H1 is loaded with a whole assortment of GPS tracking, extraction tools, and communication equipment. | 
This photo shows three very lucky Four Wheeler freelancers (or should we say freeloaders) posing just before each taking a thrill ride of a lifetime with Gordon in the Dakar-prepped H3. From left to right, Chris Collard, Robby Gordon, Ned Bacon, and Kat Wiechet. |
We gasped out loud while watching Gordon perform this little stunt. It seemed as if he'd practiced it a million times before. Maneuvers like this require lightning-fast reflexes and a profound understanding of the vehicle's handling dynamics. All we can say is, the man can drive! | 
For 2007, Gordon would return to the Dakar with his revised Hummer H3 race truck, along with five other support vehicles. One of which was this Mercedes-Benz behemoth chase truck. Literally a rolling repair shop, this 20-ton monster would track and follow Gordon's every move for more than two weeks, stopping between stages only to help solve problems when needed. |  |
More about Dakar
In Dakar, there are 15 different stages that total a whopping 5,410 miles. Unlike Baja, each stage is followed by a brief period of rest at the end of each day. Assuming you don't have any mechanical problems to solve, each team has a chance to catch up on sleep and strategize about the next day's stage. The stages feature a fast-changing pace; high-speed stretches alternate with technical legs, and intense navigation is critical. Racers must be skilled, on the lookout for the slightest of traps, or else they will not make it to the next stage in time. To learn more about the race, log on to www.dakar.com. For more information about Robby Gordon and Toyo Tires, log on to www.toyo.com.