ETAPE DU JOUR
Press Release of the stage
Friday 25th of april - stage 1 : Tunis-Matmata (437 km/ES1 : 25 km)
Novitskiy, Tsar of the desert
Ready !set! go!…Arriving mid morning in the port of la goulette, the competitors of the Rallye de Tunisie 2008, started their African Adventure with a timed 25 KM special before making their way to Base camp located on the flanks of a mountain not far from the ancient village of Matmara.
A short but nevertheless technical track amongst beautiful landscapes, covered in pine woods, cacti and eucalyptus.
The Russian Léonid Novitskiy (Mitsubishi),proved his excellent handling, arriving in good position and will open tomorrows leg to Libya.
Pain does a special….Second in Marseilles’ Super special, the young Olivier Pain in his Yahama lost a few seconds stalling at the start of the race as the official clerk was finishing his countdown. A beginners mistake!
Giroud has a heart…As promised Alexandre Giroud waited for his team member Christophe martin, handicapped, even though he had finished fifth in the Super Special, this young French hopeful stood by his friend and team member who started a bit latter.
Amiral does a roller…The Amaral brothers fist amongst the bowlers (14 in all, in the rallye de Tunisie 2008), gave themselves a fright as their car rolled over just meters from the finish line, luckily more dust than damage as they slowly passed the line with a few added bumps to their car.
HANS off !…..Orlando Terranova (BMW X3), second in last years Chilli race, confirms his skills, by achieving second best time, a small minute behind the Russian Novistskiy, and this after having to stop in order to tighten his HANS system, compulsory to maintain a comfortable driving position.
Wrong Way for Philippe….Christophe Meillat (Kawasaki), was surprised to find Philippe Dasse, who had left a couple of seconds in front of him, coming back on his steps after a navigation error.