After the first two stages of the 2014 running of the Dakar, Stage 3 was on tap today, with racers traveling up into the mountains for this section. The race will continue on for a total of 13 race days.

So far, the Americans have not faired well in the Car category, with both Robby Gordon and BJ Baldwin having their share of issues in the first two stages. Gordon improved on the third stage and looks to regain his success in past years after a tough start.

MORE 2014 DAKAR:
2014 Dakar Rally Photos

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Challenging Second Day for Despres in 2014 Dakar
 
The official Dakar website describes the Stage 3 section as such:
“The competitors of the 2014 Dakar will experience their first taste of the mountains by passing through the Pre-Andes. The Aconcagua Volcano stands 6,962m high and will observe the progress of the vehicles, of which a part will rehearse their high mountain driving techniques. The motorcyclists will climb up 4,300 metres during their special stage, on a ridgeline where they will have the impression of towering over the whole of America! The descent will bring them back to the tough reality of the drivers of the Dakar, as they will only have finished the first part of this marathon stage. They will have to ensure the mechanics for their own vehicles at the isolated bivouac which has been set up for them.”

For 2014, Dakar organizers have taken advantage of the open spaces and run the bikes and cars in separate areas for five special stages of the race. This puts the bikes and quads into more technical trails in some areas, and it also allows for greater safety for the first part of the rally when many vehicles are on the course at the same time. With SCORE International’s Roger Norman on hand for the race, with SCORE’s focus on rider safety at the 2013 races by separating the cars and bikes, one has to wonder if something similar will be implemented at future SCORE races.

For those unfamiliar with the Dakar, Thierry Sabine provided the inspiration for this race after getting lost in the Libyan Desert during the Abidjan-Nice Rally back in 1977. He plotted a route starting in Europe that continued to Algiers and crossing Agadez and then finishing in Dakar – and hence the Paris-Dakar rally was born. After security issues threatened the long history of this brutal off-road test, after having to cancel the 2008 running of the event the 31st edition of the Dakar was moved to Latin America in 2009 traveling through Argentina and Chile.

MORE 2014 DAKAR: 2014 Dakar Rally Photos

Be sure to check back with Off-Road.com for more updates on the race. Toyo Tires is also offering updates on its team racers Robby Gordon, BJ Baldwin and Guerlain Chicherit on its blog at www.toyotires.com/dakar/2014.

Overall Results After Stage 3
Cars
1. ROMA (ESP) - MINI - Overall: 09:20:13
2. TERRANOVA (ARG) - MINI - Overall: 09:29:19, Back 09:06
3. AL-ATTIYAH (QAT) - MINI - Overall: 09:30:13, Back 10:00
4. SAINZ (ESP) - SMG - Overall: 09:32:15, Back: 12:02
5. PETERHANSEL (FRA) - MINI - Overall: 09:44:21, Back: 24:08
6. DE VILLIERS (ZAF) - TOYOTA - Overall: 9:46:36, Back: 26:23
7. LAVIEILLE (FRA) - HAVAL - Overall: 9:51:36, Back: 31:23
8. HOLOWCZYC (POL) - MINI - Overall: 09:54:09, Back: 33:56
9. WEVERS (NLD) - HRX - Overall: 10:04:54, Back: 44:39
10. POULTER (ZAF) - TOYOTA - Overall: 10:05:23, Back: 45:10
41. GORDON (USA) - HUMMER - Overall: 13:06:22, Back: 3:46:09
52. BALDWIN (USA) - CHEVROLET - Overall: 15:28:21, Back: 6:08:08

Bikes
1. BARREDA BORT (ESP) HONDA - Overall: 09:56:44
2. DESPRES (FRA) YAMAHA - Overall: 10:09:48, Back: 13:04
3. COMA (ESP) KTM - Overall: 10:10:40, Back: 13:56
4. DUCLOS (FRA) SHERCO - Overall: 10:13:22, Back: 16:38
5. LOPEZ CONTARDO (CHL) KTM - Overall: 10:15:23, Back: 18:39
6. CASTEU (FRA) KTM - Overall: 10:19:00, Back: 22:16
7. VILADOMS (ESP) KTM - Overall: 10:31:17, Back: 34:33
8. PAIN (FRA) YAMAHA - Overall: 10:33:17, Back: 36:33
9. PRZYGONSKI (POL) KTM - Overall: 10:34:38, Back: 37:54
10. SVITKO (SVK) KTM - Overall: 10:36:53, Back: 40:09