General
Tire and
Baja Automotive are sponsoring three
entries in the Dakar Rally that began Dec.
29 and is scheduled to finish on Jan.
15.
Darren Skilton is piloting an Unlimited car
in the Open Production 1 (OP1) class while
Joaquin De Uriarte and Mark McMillin are
racing a Raptor and JeepSpeed in the Open
Production 2 (OP2) class.
“General’s Grabber tire was born from
competition and we feel the arduous terrain
of the Dakar Rally is a perfect testament
to what this tire is capable of,” says
marketing director Travis Roffler.
“Darren drove a Ford Raptor outfitted with
General Grabbers to the Class win in OP2
last year and the tire performed superbly,
so we look forward to adding to our win
record in 2012. We wish Darren, Joaquin and
Mark the best of luck as they embark on the
ultimate adventure,” he adds.
At the event’s special starting stage,
Skilton finished just one second behind
2010 champion Nasser Al-Attiyah and 9:51
behind the lead car.
“To be honest the size of the dunes took me
by surprise,” says Skilton, who is being
accompanied by navigator Skyler
Gambrell.
PAGE 2
“Skyler and I just aired down the General
Grabbers and had no problems staying on top
of the sand,” he reports.
“Volkswagen’s departure from the rally
really opens up the field to privateers
like myself,” Skilton points out. “I have a
competitive car that has just been sitting
and waiting for the right opportunity. That
opportunity has arrived.”
The vehicle is equipped with a full
independent suspension, King Racing Shocks
and Method Race Wheels in addition to the
35-inch tires.
