World-renowned driver to pilot H3 in world's most challenging off-road race
DETROIT -- HUMMER is proud to once again sponsor Robby Gordon Motorsports' Team Dakar USA effort to take on the Dakar Rally, widely considered to be the most grueling off-road race in the world due to its brutal terrain and extreme environmental conditions. HUMMER first sponsored Team Dakar USA's inaugural Dakar Rally entry in 2006Gordon will pilot his own vehicle, a purpose-built HUMMER H3, in the 16-stage event operating under the banner of Team Dakar USA. During last year's Rally, Gordon was forced to make an early exit from competition when an encounter with the devilish terrain during the seventh stage punctured the radiator and sidelined the team for the remainder of the race.
"Team Dakar USA's main objective will be to prove that American innovation and determination can compete on the world stage," said Gordon. "We learned a lot about the vehicle and logistical challenges at last year's Rally, and I know we are prepared and ready to take on the Dakar in 2007."
Gordon's H3 consists of an H3-shaped body paired with a specially developed chassis featuring a suspension designed by him and his Off-Road team. The H3 will be a tube-chassis vehicle similar to Trophy Trucks races in the famed Baja 1000, except that it will have a fully enclosed air-conditioned cockpit, including windshield and side windows. It will be powered by a production-based General Motors V8 engine.
According to Martin Walsh, HUMMER general manager, HUMMER's involvement at this international race is a natural fit. "With the recent launch of H3 production in South Africa, we now sell HUMMERs in 34 countries around the globe," said Walsh. "The extreme nature of the Dakar Rally, as well as global exposure of the race provides a natural environment in which to promote the HUMMER brand's DNA."
The 16-stage Dakar race covers more than 6,000 miles (nearly 10,000 km) in just over two weeks. While the event is gaining popularity in the United States, it has a broad following around the globe. The 2007 Dakar begins on January 6, 2007, in Lisbon, Portugal and runs through Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, and Guinea before finishing in the capital city of Dakar, in Senegal. The race covers all types of terrain, from mountains to sea level and farmland to desert. Competitors can encounter snow and sub-zero temperatures as well as sandstorms and searing heat in the desert. More information on the Dakar race is available at www.teamdakarusa.com or www.dakar.com.
Robby Gordon was named by Off-Road retailer magazine in 2004 as one of the five most influential people in the off-road industry. He has successfully owned and operated teams in the NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series, CART, IRL and SCORE.
About HUMMER
HUMMER is a division of General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, which employs about 321,000 people globally. HUMMER is one of the fastest growing truck brands with sales in 34 countries and a product line-up that consists of the H2, H2 SUT, H3 and the H3x. Information on HUMMER products is available at www.hummer.com.
Robby Gordon Motorsports is based in Huntersville, N.C., and owned by Gordon. In addition to its Dakar effort, the team focuses its attention on competing in America's biggest racing series - the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. The team has run numerous seasons in various racing series, including CART, the Score International Off-Road Series, the NASCAR Busch Series, the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and several one-off efforts in the famed Indianapolis 500, with Gordon enjoying success at every level of his storied career as an owner and driver. He prides himself on his meticulous nature, which includes building cars, trucks and other racing machines that are among the best in their respective disciplines. For more information visit www.robbygordon.com.
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