I havent listened to this one yet, but it was recommended to me:

Here is the link to the call:2012 Dakar 05 — Bivouac chat with Ned

Here is a link that will get you to the most recent rallyraidio call, whichever that may be:

Edit: Hmm. It didnt like that bit of code. here is the relevant bit: http://player.wizzard.tv/player/o/i/x/132548150646/config/k-db73a94bf51fd515/uuid/root.m4v/episode/

Looking forward to posting Bill’s call, when we can get one. Bill! I have the number to call into- just let me know if you can when you might be able!

News from the bivouac is Bill is at km 261 on the stage and not moving. Theoretically he has a bike with no oil or gas. I’m sure he’s fine, and just digging into the side of a dune, popping a cliff bar and enjoying the stars. There’s an outside chance that somebody will be able to bring him in, but most likely he’ll get picked up in the morning. This Race is relentless.

This info came from a competitor, James Embro, via Ted (Deadly99) who’s helping support.

James Embro just came by our camp……

“At km 174 Bill slide his bike going threw a gate, his skid plate came off and cracked his case and tank. There was oil and gas spewing out, he tried to use some putty on it but it did want to stick “

That was a long time ago, Bill has been moving since then. I hope he got through the dunes before it got dark. Just for reference he has now been on his bike for 16 hours.

Go Bill 

Not the best news ever, but really glad he’s moving. Provided the bike holds together (and this was his main concern about the event all along) then he begins to “fight the snowball” as they say. When he does get in, they’re going to have to use the spare engine, already. 8-0

It was well over 100F in the desert all day long. A lot of competitors have dropped out, even today. One poor Frenchman hit a cow! Even Jonah Street was forced to retire, with a bike that failed to proceed.

Cmon Bill!

OH, and here is the Stage 2 summary!

The bikes start today at 10:30 local time (8:30 EST).  If you like to refresh pages, like I do, you can follow along by visiting the official Dakar Tracker.

By clicking the circled numbers (waypoints) or A (the end) on the map you can see when Bill reaches each point and how he fares against his competitors.

Remember to click the little motorcycle icon next to the magnifying glass!

This is a cool link- Its a phone call from Ned Suesse, a fellow competitor alongside Our Hero.  RallyRaidio is a place where rally competitors and event people in general can call in and leave a message. Its almost a live feed only slightly pre-recorded. Our friend Nate (Packmule at ADV) is responsible for its idea, inception and upkeep.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/rallyraidio/12D04.mp3

I include it for two reasons, A) you can get a better idea of what its like for the guys on the trail right now! and B) I’m hoping maybe Bill can call in, and then everybody can hear how he’s doing. Its basically a 1-800 number he can call from his Sat phone…

Check out http://www.rallyraidio.net

In an attempt to narrow down the motorcycle competitors to Bill and others that are known to the ADVrider community I have created a little Standings Summary table at the bottom of our Dakar 2012 page (you can click on it up top).  I will update this after each days stage.  Hopefully this will be easier to understand and navigate than the one on the official Dakar website.  Not everyone wants to spend all day on these websites

With only 3 minutes to sum up an entire day of events involving bikes, quads, cars and trucks its no surprise that if you’re not Marc Coma you don’t get your name mentioned.  Still a good video!

The bikes begin at 10:30am local time tomorrow (Jan 2nd) on special stage 2.  (Hint to Rally newbies: Special Stage, or SS, means its timed.  Its not a liaison or transit.)  Hopefully I will be able to update Bill’s approximate start time as new information becomes available.  All competitors are re-seeded after every stage according to their new position (this makes for some fairly difficult logistics, especially when penalties, etc are involved).

Check out the details for SS2 below:

Before leaving for Argentina Bill signed up for someone from web venture.com.br to take pictures of him during the event!  Here’s our first picture from SS1!

This is a press release from team Husqvarna/Speedbrain:

Dakar 2012, Stage 1
Mar del Plata – Santa Rosa de la Pampa
763 km in total, 57 km special test

Husqvarna Rallye Team by Speedbrain takes no chances

Avoiding unnecessary risks and finding one´s feet in the race – that has been the motto for the Husqvarna Rallye Team by Speedbrain in the opening stage of the Dakar 2012. The first special test proved to be fast, dusty and littered with holes. Because of the sometimes dangerous conditions it was important to ride cautiously.

The time differences after 57 km were small. Joan Barreda headed the five-man team, placing sixth on the day.
The 28-year-old Spaniard came from 23th position early on. Teammate Paulo Goncalves rode defensively.
“I wanted to avoid any risk and rather warm myself up for the following days,” the Portuguese said. This smart approach was also taken by Zé Hélio, Ike Klaumann and Jose Manuel Pellicer, who all completed the inaugural stage not far behind the leaders.

Tomorrow marks the first real endurance test. The riders have to cover a distance of almost 800 km. The special stage alone offers 295 km. The course is expected to be fast at first, then leading through the dunes of El Nihuil and a spectacular volcano area.