RallyRAIDio

(Photo credit: benconstanduros.com)

We get an insider's look "behind the curtain" where the ASO produces the video feed for the Dakar Rally with BenConstanduros. If you've ever marveled at the stunning images from the rally, you'll be amazed by the logistics required to get them worldwide from a race day that spans hundreds of kilometers. If you've ever been frustrated by what's been show (or hasn't been shown), insight, too, on that. Thanks, Ben! Hardcore Rallye Tragics, don't miss this one.

You can follow Ben on twitter @BenConsty, or check out his site and blog at http://benconstanduros.com/blog

(Photo of Tim courtesy Ted Johnson)

Ted Johnson chats with us after the Dakar rally, giving us an inside view of the bivouac from the back seat of Rally PanAm's team truck. Even if you don't have the stuff to compete, you can get inside the rally in a way you never dreamed possible by buying in to a team seat. This could be one expensive call in, for the die hard fans listening. You've been warned.

We last heard from Ned with a brief voicemail after the finish. We were finally able to catch up with him for a full interview from the airport in Miami on his way home today. Welcome back to the US of A, Ned. You've done us proud. Very proud. Grab a few beers (or coffee's, if you're at work -- dont' worry, we won't tell the boss) and listen in to get answers to the questions many of you have asked. A few surprising revelations, and more detail than a Dakar Junkie could ever hope to find anywhere else. To get any more involved in the race, you'd have to fork over your own entry fee.  Thanks for letting us Inside the Helmet, Ned. Can't wait to follow you wherever your next adventure may take you.

For those of you who aren't already following along, check out Ned's EXCELLENT thread on ADVrider.com: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=707131

Dakar finisher's medal in hand, Ned calls us with a quick update from the hotel following the podium presentations. Congrats, Ned. Goal met. Can't wait to hear what it feels like once that thought has firmly sunk in.

Ned on the finish podium

Another great interactive chat with Ned from the bivouac after the penultimate stage, stage 13. Tomorrow's stage is a liaison and then largely ceremonial special into the finish in Lima. Almost in, Ned!

(Photo credit: Webventure)

Stan calls in after stage 13, just one more short 29km special and a moderate liaison to go before the finish podium in Lima. Stan's had a solid run in the second half, and is philosophical about the way his first half went. Cheers, Stan!

(Photo Credit: Eurosport)

Neil (Bluebull2007) catches up with Toby Younger at the bivouac in Nasca, Peru, after stage 12. While for many this year "Marathon Stage" is just a fancy way of saying "Motorcycle-only campout", for Toby it's been a true "Marathon Rally", in every sense of the phrase. Made famous to the general audience by his overnight in the dunes prior to the rest day, Toby's managed more midnight km's than any other moto in the race.  And yet in every photo, there's that indomitable smile, shining through.  Thanks for talking with us, Toby, and keep those wheels rolling for another two days!

Ned calls in from the windy (gave the sat phone a few fits, apologies) bivouac in Peru following Stage 12, the conclusion of the "marathon" stage -- which Ned found to be a bit of a farce since the factory teams basically got a full service along the liaison route after the special. A few mechanical gremlins overnight for Ned, his training paid off through the dunes and he made it in to camp where they'll overhaul the clutch on the bike tonight. Last big stage tomorrow, keep your fingers crossed for a clean run. Goooooo! Ned!!

The Birthday Girl wishes everyone out there a happy F5 day!

Having surmounted some unusual challenges on Stage 11, Ned Suesse has his "Dakar Moment" while on the liaison to the moto-only marathon bivouac. Ever-giving of himself, he pulls over to call us "in the moment". The seemingly unflappable Neduro brought to tears, this has to be one of the most heartfelt calls in RallyRAIDio history. Do not miss.

Neil calls in with a man-on-the-scene report from the entrance to the Moto Bivouac after having followed Ned Suesse in on the liaison. Sounds like there are some stories to be told!

ADVrider's own roving reporter, Bluebull2007, meets up with Darryl Curtis at the start of stage 11 for a quick interview and an update on his rally thusfar. Thanks, Neil!

Ned calls in after a fun stage, having navigated his way out of the dunes with a flock of sheep (riders) behind him. Another great Robbie Gordon story along the way, too. Enjoy!

"Great day! Fun on the bike, the hill was AWESOME! Watching my bike float away in the river was not..." Listen in to hear Ned's epic stories from stage 9, including his underwater incident, close call with a mine, and Johnny Campbell's comments on Robby Gordon. Goooooo! Ned!

Ned calls us after what would turn out to be a very controversial stage for the frontrunners. He had his own challenges, including a stage that was very fast and admittedly not his most comfortable zone. A followup call reveals that his steering damper had become disengaged, a sketchy prospect when running 120kph through fesh fesh embedded with hidden rocks!  "This isn't racing, Ned says, it's praying!"  Well-done to bring it home safely, Ned.

Another great 20 minute conversation with Ned, we catch him in the bivouac on the rest day.

Photocredit: webventure.br

Team FrontRowGB rider and front running Brit, Stan Watt, rings in at the rest day to update us on his rally so far. For a team built with ambitious goals, it hasn't all gone perfectly to date. But he's looking forward to taking advantage of the grueling second half to move further up the order.

Observers of the stage will have noted that Ned was off pace today. There's a very good (actually, two very good) reason(s) for that. Tune in to hear how Ned MacGuyvered his way through the stage, and lived to Dakar another day.

After stage six was cancelled, ostensibly due to snow on the route, Ned arrives in Chile after the liaison transit. While he hangs out waiting for  the service truck to arrive, we catch up on many topics including his reaction to the cancellation, how the bike is holding up so far, and if his outlook or approach has changed any heading in to the middle of the rally.