Sainz has taken the lead of the Dakar Rally
The Spaniard and his French co-driver Michel Périn took second place in the Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 on the third stage in Morocco from Nador to Er Rachidia. The Race Touareg was gifted its third stage victory by the South African Giniel de Villiers and his German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz, who led the Sainz/Périn duo by 25 seconds across the line and Stéphane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi) by 3:18 minutes to vault to second place in the overall standings. Yesterday’s leader Carlos Sousa and his German co-driver Andy Schulz round off the one-two-three lead for Volkswagen in the overall classification.
The Volkswagen duo Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford improved from seventh to fifth overall. The Finn Ari Vatanen recorded the eleventh best time with his Italian co-driver Fabrizia Pons on the 648 kilometer stage. The Race Touareg remains unbeaten in this year’s running of the desert classic with three stage victories and as many days at the head of the leader board.
Snippets from Volkswagen bivouac
РWarning radar traps: The Volkswagen factory drivers and accompanying armada of support vehicles had to pay particular attention to their speeds on the near 1,150 kilometer journey from Portiṃo in Portugal to the first African bivouac in Er Rachidia in Morocco, because strict speed limits are imposed for safety reasons along the liaison stages and in built up areas during the Dakar Rally. To ensure that the stipulated speeds are maintained the organizers monitor speeds by GPS signal and the local police with radar guns. The organizers are merciless if speeds are exceeded; speeders in the support armada face harsh penalties including confiscation of the service vehicle in question. Registered competitors can even be given time penalties.
– Race Touareg 2 ready for Africa: After the two European stages finish the Volkswagen technicians prepare the four Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 prototypes for the African tracks and trails. The majority of the work centers on modifying the suspension set-up and adjusting the rally cars’ ground clearance to suit conditions.
– Home stage for factory team: The region around the Er Rachidia bivouac is not unknown to the big team competing in the Dakar Rally. Volkswagen and competitors Mitsubishi and BMW regularly undertake test sessions near Erfoud, which is about an hours drive south of Er Rachidia.
– Volkswagen factory drivers well rested: The Volkswagen factory drivers start the Dakar Rally’s first African stage relaxed and well prepared. "For the first time in years I was able to spend Christmas and New Year at home", said co-driver Ralph Pitchford happily. Fabrizia Pons, Giniel de Villiers, Dirk von Zitzewitz and Carlos Sainz also spent Christmas at home with their families. In contrast, Mark Miller and Ari Vatanen and their wives celebrated New Year together in Portugal, where there met a rally fan who promptly invited the quartet to his wedding. "We just joined in the fun", reports Vatanen.
Three questions to co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz
How would you describe the two Portuguese stages that opened the rally?
"The tracks were very physical for us, but also much tougher for the Race Touareg 2 than we had expected. We were well shaken in the deep sand and pot-holes. I actually thought that the start would be a little gentler on us."
What specific tasks does the co-driver have on the Dakar Rally’s European stages?
"We attempted to help the drivers more as you would in a typical rally. Although arrows marked the turns and junctions, we read the information from the road book. Particularly as the signs were often placed just over a blind crest where the driver couldn’t see them, which is why the drivers needed urgent instructions. On the other hand, from today on we carry out classic navigation and send the driver the right way down the routes in Africa."
How did you actually prepare for the rally?
"For a co-driver I undertook a very intensive fitness program, which included time on a cross-trainer in the fitness studio and improved my stamina by jogging. I lost nine kilos to get down to my ‘fighting weight’. On the opening stages I noticed that it was well worth the effort, since the additional physical stress and strain didn’t affect me."
Standings after stage 3, Nador (MA) – Er Rachidia (MA); 252/648 km stage 3/total
Pos. Team Vehicle Stage 3 Total time
1. Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn (E/F) Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 2h46m37s (2nd) 5h09m19s
2. Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (RSA/D) Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 2h46m12s (1st) + 1m02s
3. Carlos Sousa/Andreas Schulz (P/D) Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 2h51m48s (6th) + 4m26s
4. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-P. Cottret (F/F) Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution 2h49m30s (3rd) + 6m03s
5. Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/RSA) Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 2h50m07s (5th) + 9m12s
6. Hiroshi Masuoka/Pascal Maimon (J/F) Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution 2h51m52s (7th) + 11m17s
7. Nani Roma/Lucas Cruz Senra (E/E) Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution 2h55m30s (8th) + 11m37s
8. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F) Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution 2h49m54s (4th) + 11m59s
9. Guerlain Chicherit/Matthieu Baumel (F/F) BMW X3 2h55m32s (9th) + 12m59s
10. Nasser Al-Attiyah/Alain Guehennec (QT/F) BMW X3 2h58m28s (10th) + 22m39s
57. Ari Vatanen/Fabrizia Pons (FIN/I) Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 2h59m03s (11th) + 1h48m55s
Coming up…
Tuesday, 9 January: Stage 4, Er Rachidia (MR) – Ouarzazate (MR): 405 km stage /679 km total. At 405 kilometres, the second stage in Morocco is genuine test of stamina. The route is varied – in part very fast, but also extremely tight and stony in other areas.