ETAPE DU JOUR
Informations & sum up of the stage
INTERVIEWS
CARS
Dominique Housieaux (Fra/Buggy Schlesser) : “I have been a Rally Raid driver since 1991, and this is my first victory, and moreover in a FIA World Cup series. You can picture my happiness. I’ve been waiting for this for 17 years, I’ve been patient and been lucky enough to collaborate with Jean Louis Schlesser, who won the Rallye de Tunisie five times and his exceptional team. With only 12 seconds in it, we went full throttle, no mistakes possible. I loved it so much that I cant wait for Morocco in September”.
Eric Vigouroux (Fra/Trophy Truck Chevrolet) : ”What a final ! We gave all we’ve got but unfortunately made three navigation mistakes. We were even ahead at assistance! Shame but second place is a great result, we only had two mechanics and the Chevrolet Trophy Truck had no difficulties whatsoever”.
Christian Lavieille (Fra/Proto Dessoude 05) : « A superb rally ! A bit fast for our car, I took some time to get use to the rhythm, by the end we proved we could fight for victory. Such a victory is a team effort and promises good results in future”
BIKES
Olivier Pain (Fra/Yamaha 450) : “I was here to learn, I was aiming for the podium but in all honesty Michel (Marchini) should have been there in front of me. Such a long and testing rally is a unique experience and a first victory for me in such an international event. I feel I am getting better in each race. On the last leg I waited for Mickael Pisano so as to have a double Yahama victory, I’m living a dream”
Mickael Pisano (Fra/Yamaha 450) : “My partner always told me to be patient all the way to the end, it worked : last night I was still fifth in the overall, and now second in the final overall, I still need to work on my navigation, and I hope that this result will push Yahama to help Franck Helbert’s team HFP”.
Stan Watt (G-B/KTM 690) : “3 is my number!, I was already third in Morocco last year. This rally was particularly long and strenuous for men and machine alike, I am so happy to finish on the podium. In Great Britain this Rally is not so well known but hopefully it will take off, the audience would love it!”.
Update
Last stage today which promises to be exciting!
The first motorcycle started at 8 am.
Mechanical problem for Oscar POLLI! He tries to repair.
Vigouroux increases the distance on Housieux, 47 seconds beforehand!
Housieux takes back the head of therace! The pro-truck of Vigouroux runs much less faster...
Housieux on buggy Schlesser crosses the finishing line triumphantly! What a finish!