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Press Release of the stage

Rallye de Tunisie – Wednesday April 30th – Stage 6 : Idri-Sinawin (635 km)

The Longest day of all

Drawn out between Idri and Sinawin, 502 kilometres long, the ultimate Libyan stage of the Rallye de Tunisie 2008 was going to be the longest one yet. But as some competitors had not rejoined the Idri bivouac before dawn, the organisers Stephane Clair and Cyril Neveu decided to send the helicopters to the rescue. Then, for obvious safety reasons the 6th leg of the race was neutralised. So it’s in a relaxed mode of a liaison, instead of the usual high speed special that the competitors, still in the race, rejoined the Sinawin bivouac, where the convoy will stay the night before attempting the last three stages of the race.

Out of sight… Surprise amongst bikers at the bivouac last night as, an as yet unidentified Libyan biker showed up riding an Africa Twin Honda, 20 years of age. Still in good shape if slightly beaten up, it had last been seen close to Agadez in Nigeria during the 88 Paris Dakar as veteran pilot Eric Piroud, forced to abandon had left it, keys in contact, somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Incredible but true you could still read the previous’ owners name on it.

Stéphane Clair search and rescue ... In the organisation helicopter, Stephane Clair flew to the rescue of stranded British biker Culum McKenzie. He’d fallen off his bike in the Ourabi erg and lay at the bottom of a huge sand dune. Concussed but not unconscious,  he was surprised to see the Rally organiser land close by. As he was gently transferred by helicopter back to base camp, Stephane, himself a confirmed biker, drove the KTM 525 back to the sweeper truck.

Holowczyc : Dangerous liaison. They hesitated but finally decided to take the special track to Sinawin this morning. Krzysztof Holowczyc and Jean-Marc Fortin (Nissan Pickup), were seen opening their bonnet  just 30 km from the start,  it turned out they were just giving their engine a bit of freshener. The Duo from Belgium and Poland then continued their way.

De Korsak all alone. Veteran pilot of many an Andros Trophy, Philippe de Korsak set out alone on this African adventure. Piloting his single seat SMG buggy he has done more than just defend his reputation. 11th in the previous’ days placing he made 8th in he formidable Idri loop.

 

INTERVIEW

Stéphane Clair (organisator) : « We witnessed an incredible, almost historical stage yesterday: Idri/Idri, Including some marvellous scenery and very technical difficulties in the race. As all great stages it had its mechanical failures and some competitors were still stuck in the dunes late last night. The sweeper truck picked all six up, then unfortunately got stuck himself and overturned, nobody was hurt but it all happened quite far from the bivouac so we had to wait till dawn to send the choppers out. So as to continue with the rally, but also to keep the level of safety we decided to neutralise today’s special .All this as medical repatriation was going on for other pilots. All competitors fully understood our decision, and went through with the special in a relaxed mode. The race continues tomorrow in what should be a decisive stage. Suspense as anything can still happen in the tree last stages”.