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Press Release of the stage

Rallye de Tunisie-Tuesday April 29th . Stage 5 : Idri-Idri Loop (426 km/ES5: 359 km)

Terranova, the sand king

A true test of courage, the Idri loop, drawn out in the Ourabi erg in southern Libya, ( 359 kilometres) was instrumental in disrupting the rakings of the 2008 Rallye de Tunisie. The last competitors stuck in the sand dunes of yesterday’s leg were still making their way back to the bivouac this morning. The formidable sea of sand ,where no rally had ever been held, was closing in on some the competitors in this 5th special, first stage of the marathon leg, as they stay isolated from their assistance in the “closed park”. Orlando Terranova and Lee Palmer (BMW X3) had their first victory today in front of  Krzysztof Holowczyc (Nissan Pickup) and the Spaniard  Monterde  in their Buggy Schlesser. Thus the Argentinean and Australian duo consolidate their pole position in the overall ranking followed closely by Vigouroux (Trophy Truck Chevrolet) and Housieaux (Buggy Schlesser). Spectacular sand dunes over 300 m tall gave the bikes an opportunity to show off their skills in style. It was Mathieu Serradori (BETA) and Alex Antor (KTM 690) who led the way today, but Marchini (Yamaha 450), Pain (Yamaha 450) and Bethys (Honda 450), are still on the podium in the overall.

 

Ludivine Puy, blazing KTM ! The Enduro cup European champion was left to stand aside and watch her bike in flames as her beautiful KTM 690 caught fire a couple of kilometres after the start of the Bike special.

T2 : shambles for Dessoude. Mechanicals problems proved too much for the three Nissan Pathfinders of the Dessoudre team.. In the T2 category for standard construction cars, Laurent Rosso suffered a damaged underbody;  Jean-Pierre Strugo, a radiator and engine failure, and Thomas Lousssier, engine problems. No clear hope of finishing in the top three.

 

Marchini knocked out but OK ! Slightly concussed after falling heavily off his bike at the top of a dune the Frenchman  Michel Marchini will never forget his time in the Ourabi Erg. He wasn’t alone! A few minutes before Thierry Bethys and Oscar Polli, experienced the same thing. He stays in the overall lead.

BETA and Ski. Two new faces in the motorbike category today as victory comes to Mathieu Serradori (BETA).First time BETA took first in this kind of competition. Worth a mention Alex Antor 29 years old, from Andorra made second. This young man once a World cup skier, took part in the winter Olympics, now proving his just as good on two wheels!

Housieaux breaks wood. Yesterdays winners, second overall, Dominique Housieaux and Jean-Michel Polato lost precious time yesterday stuck in a palm tree stump.

That was close… Eric Vigouroux (Trophy Truck Chevrolet), in his impressive machine stopped  just short of  a palm tree yesterday, could have been painful, but he stays comfortably second overall.

« Parc fermé » Closed Park. The Idri bivouac looked like a WRC assistance park today as all vehicles  in the 5th leg of the Rally de Tunisie, had an hour to work on their mechanics before being locked in for the night on this marathon leg..