As the curtains close on the 31st Dakar Rally, Team Dakar USA put on quite a performance. Despite neither Robby Gordon or Eric Vigouroux not winning the event, both drivers finished inside the top-15.

“Team Dakar USA did what we had to do today – we raced conservative enough to preserve our overall position at the end," stated Gordon. "All we needed to do today was run a smart, cautious race and cross the finish line at the end. I think that I ended up 23rd, and Eric was 37th, which ensured that both race vehicles finished safely inside the top-15.”

After crossing the finish line in Buenos Aires, Gordon earned his highest finish in five Dakar Rally attempts. Sitting behind event winner Giniel De Villiers and fellow American Mark Miller, Gordon drove his No. 309 Monster Energy Toyo Tires Hummer to a podium finish in the 2009 Dakar Rally.

In his first attempt in the Dakar Rally, Eric Vigouroux came in with little experience driving a Team Dakar USA Hummer. Struggling at the beginning, Vigouroux put feathers on the No. 324 Vanguard Hummer and began to fly by the competition. With his late string of timely performances, Vigouroux reeled in a 13th place overall finish in the Dakar Rally.

“We may not be the overall winner in this year’s Dakar Rally, but I can tell you that we are our own winners," exclaimed Gordon. "What we did here this year is really amazing. Not only is this my highest finish in a Dakar Rally, but Eric Vigouroux finished 13th in a Hummer that he had virtually no seat time in before the race commenced. This is a testament to the Team Dakar USA program; the more we race the better we get.”

With the first race out of the way, Vigouroux is grateful to everyone that was involved with his success.

“I just want to thank the Team Dakar USA partners, sponsors, and fans," stated Vigouroux. "It has been an incredible experience being part of this team and something that I will never forget. Finishing 13th is an incredible feat, and I just want everyone to know how much this has meant to me.”

With the 2009 Dakar Rally in the rearview mirror, Gordon is already beginning to look ahead to the next event. With rumors stating that the rally will return to Argentina in 2010, Gordon is convinced that the team can take the win.

“I want to thank all our sponsors, our partners, and everyone that helped in the success of this year’s Rally," said Gordon. "We couldn’t have done it alone, so I want you each to know how much we appreciate everything. We are already starting to plan for next year’s Dakar Rally while this year’s is fresh in our minds. The rumor is that we may be back in Argentina, so I feel confident that we can come back and win next year.”