Stage 12 – San Juan-San Rafael, Thursday, Jan 14th – Done!
Never let it be said that the last few days of the Dakar rally are a doddle. Far from it today with the longest day since the rally began to contend with. The crowds are building as the bikes, trucks, cars and quads get closer to Buenos Aires. Last night Philip arrived back into a huge crowd of fans who surrounded him looking for autographs and photos and unfortunately his wallet was swiped again, the exact same thing happened to him last year, tea leaves or what?! But no harm done, just cards swiped and they can’t do much with cards in the middle of nowhere! Philip finished today’s stage in good time at any rate - 58th position – which was a significant jump from yesterday but he still has 297kms of a liaison to go to get back to the bivouac. No doubt the road section helped with speed but he tells us that his arms and hands are “stiff as pokers”!. Hopefully the man and the machine can endure that final bit of torture at the end of the special test today. It may be quite late by the time he gets in tonight so we may not hear from him but if we do we’ll keep you posted. An unbelievable 48 hours to go to completion but still another 725kms and 707kms to go in those stage so it’s all to play for. Keep the support coming and fingers crossed.
January 14th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Hi Philip, not sure what we are going to do when this is all over! 10 O’Clock every night is Eurosport time when we are only dying to hear all the dakar news while looking out for 104!! Never mind how often we track you on dakar.com during the day! You’ve been amazing, a real inspiration, enjoy every minute of the next 48 hours and stay safe.
Do & Lorraine xxx
January 14th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Hi Philip
Brilliant! genius! legend! Well done, sounds like it was a difficult and very long day today. Mum and Dad would be so proud of you (although Mum would be saying the rosary every day for your safe return) as are all of your family! You are doing your family proud and you are doing Ireland proud!
Can still picture you going round and round the field in Eaton Brae on your scrambler! Who would have believed that it would lead to this!
Take care and stay safe!
Love Katherine, Cariosa, Aidan, Tracy
January 14th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
tremendous performance today we’re thrilled with the unbelievable effort hope the next 2 days go well for you . If you need any help in the D.T D.(Dirty Tricks Department) I’m yer man ,available 24/7 plenty of past experience ,for example going on ahead to the next watering hole and eh… improving the water or eh… sending on an ‘Expert to help the others find their way a little easier ….get the drift ..as I say 24/7 bueno suerte mi hermano!!!
January 14th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
You’re a fantastic ambassador for Ireland! Go like hell!
“Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit”
Pender & Sara
January 14th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
You are doing great – nearly there!!!!!!
Hugh, Amanda & Faye
January 14th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
alright philip, we’ve been following the endeavor religiously on the web up in grange wood, extremely proud and supportive, your trailblazing is setting an unbelievably high standard for the next generation of Noones! just read there that you only have 48 hours left!! as i said extremely proud over here, hope you reach your goal and enjoy the last leg!!!
January 15th, 2010 at 12:40 am
Wow! What a day, fantastic result, keep it steady you’re almost there…
January 15th, 2010 at 1:13 am
‘Fingers Crossed’ for you as requested, and will be crossed for the rest of the race. :)
Best of Good Luck to you and all the Team !
Pure Magic.
Cheers
Harry
January 15th, 2010 at 1:30 am
Well done Philip what an amazing achievement so far. Wishing you the very best for the days ahead! go on you can do it! Clodagh & David x
January 15th, 2010 at 1:46 am
Philip your almost there. Just more of the same and you’ll get to the end and the finishers Medal. Best of luck in the last two days.
Fingers crossed for you.
January 15th, 2010 at 3:58 am
All the very best, Philip, for the last stretch. Keep going. Looking forward to welcoming you back. Irish Embassy, Buenos Aires.
January 15th, 2010 at 4:37 am
hi philip, again a good day ur living the dream..keep it going…..stay safe..mark
January 15th, 2010 at 4:52 am
WOW!!!
Great day today Philip. Well done.
All here in Valley Forge are watching, praying, cheering, shouting, bragging.
Keep up the good work, really, really proud.
Mary, Tom, Michael, Claire and Tommy.
January 15th, 2010 at 4:56 am
Hang in there, Philip.
January 15th, 2010 at 6:03 am
another good pic of phil making friends with the locals on ADV.Such a friendly lad.
January 15th, 2010 at 10:00 am
Well played Big Fella. Keep up the good work & remember, the only difference between Try & Triumph is a little Umph……………
January 15th, 2010 at 11:16 am
I hope that engine change went smoothly for you….COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 15th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Well done again Philip. Not long to go now. Try and keep the focus….dont let complacancy set in . Thoughs of the bikers of Ireland are with you. Your living the dream ….go for it.
Ken Mc G
January 15th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
“When the going gets tough….”- maintain your focus and self-hypnotise with the mantra “Go, Willy, go”. You can sleep for two weeks when you get home. Keep at it.
GO, WILLY, GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 15th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Folks,
Another tough day but you came out the other side, well done to you all. Murph make sure and look after Phil as best you can, I know you’ll be there for him all the way. The support hear is fantastic, positive vibes coming your way fom the Emerald Isle! Phil stay relaxed and focused and like I said before, one section at a time Amigo! Come on the Irish!!!!!!!!!!!
Feargal.
January 15th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Well Philip,
Keep going!! Your nearly there.What an achievement !!! It will be some story to tell!All the best
Take care
Jo-anne and the crew.
January 15th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Amazing race, Philip!! !
Soooo impressive, so exciting….hanging tough AND looking strong – you’re making all of your Irish yank cousins so very proud! We’re thinking positive thoughts, saying prayers…be safe.
Go Irish!!
Terry and all of your American cousins (too many to name here:)
January 15th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Deadly Philip.. Amazing stuff..
Live that dream for us.. Stay Strong, Stay fast, stay Safe and know that we’re all standing behind Ya for the Final Push.. Keep it goin Nooner..
Eires proud and im Proud..
January 15th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Way To Go Cous! Keep up the good work! We are all pulling for you here in PA.
Love from all the PA Noones. Si and Maria, Tom #1, Joanne and Scott and Doc and myself.
January 15th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
I would just like to thank my friend Gearoid for letting me use his computer tonight.
Keep the focus, find the rythym, and believe you are a champion.
Screamin for ya here,
regards,
Valentino Rossi.
January 15th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
Veni,vidi,vici- well nearly with one lap to go!
Buenos Aires here we come and I hope you tango all the way.
Keep the head for the last day Philip.
Down hill from here!
Lots of love and luck,
Imelda,Gerard and Axel.
January 15th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
P.S Katherine wants to know if Pablo is free?
January 15th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Hiya Philip,
Just want to wish my coach the best of luck for the last day.
Its so cool seeing my uncle out there.
c ya soon,
Luke
January 15th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
Philip,
All proud of you here in North Carolina. Way to Go!!! We look forward to having a pint, or two, with you in Dublin in the near future.
Tim, Eilish, Timmy & Liam
January 16th, 2010 at 12:04 am
Philip,
Just wanted to wish you luck on your final day………so sorry I did not catch on until late in your quest………Sending you good thoughts from your USA Cousins : )
Mary Anne (and the entire Keenan Family)