Now here's something I don't see everyday..

[Ferry_vO]

Rallycars and trucks in my street!

There's a week full of festivities in my hometown, and every year there are bicycle races on Thursday on a short course (Slightly over one kilometer long). Earlier this year I moved to a new home which is located inside this 'circuit'. This year for the first time an organisation called 'Rally for kids' is also using this track to give severely ill or handicapped children a ride in a real rally car.
So this afternoon (And once more this evening) there will be several rallycars screaming through my street, and much to my surprise, also two Dakar trucks!

Some quick photos from the first session this afternoon:

And two more from my bedroom balcony:

 

[Ferry_vO]

Some more from the second session, with slightly better weather. Those trucks really made the whole house shake!

 

[demorier]

With that high centre of gravity those trucks look like they would tip straight over on the rough stuff.....must set that suspension up pretty good I guess.

 

[eddie]

Those are great pic's Ferry!! What a wonderful thing to do for those kids!

I wish I could have gotten a ride like they did,lol

 

[wombat666]

Good stuff Ferry, and a plus for the kids.
Always loved the trucks!!
The highlights (well, for me) of the TV coverage back in the days of the original Dakar were in-cabin shots of the truck crews.
demorier:I remember reading an insight into the truck setups, bearing in mind this was some time ago, the 'body' is/was remotely suspended from the chassis via a hydro-pneumatic system, IIRC mention was made of a similarity to the old British Leyland 'hydro-elastic' suspension being a base line.

 

[smilo]

thanks for the shots, Ferry, very nice.
I especially like the one where you can see the kid.
he looks like he's having a great time.

being a semi tractor trailer driver,
I am very interested in the truck racing.
kinda reminds me of my run up the Hood Canal yesterday.
US Highway 101 is 2 lanes, winding, and very hilly, not to mention very scenic.
I wonder if those guys had RVs and putt putt drivers in the way.
---- ---------
just kidding, but sometimes, one can dream.

 

[Ferry_vO]

the 'body' is/was remotely suspended from the chassis via a hydro-pneumatic system, IIRC mention was made of a similarity to the old British Leyland 'hydro-elastic' suspension being a base line.

On almost all (European) trucks this is standard, and on the Dakar trucks you could see the cabin move seperate from the rear end of the body.

Last weekend there was a rallysprint event on the local industrial area, and after the cars did their thing, one of the Dakar trucks did a lap round the course. One of the tighter turns went left across a roundabout. Note the deformation of the right front tire in this photo!

 

[grunau_baby]

Great shots, that old Ford Escort is in amazing shape!

Alex

 

[Panther_99FS]

Great stuff Ferry - I really like the trucks!

 

[demorier]

Need a good kidney belt in one of things offroad.