Thanks to TDI power: Volkswagen takes 1-2-3-stage win in Brazil – Volkswagen celebrated another stage victory at the Rallye dos Sertoes: On the fifth leg of the cross-country rally through Brazil Nasser Al-Attiyah/Timo Gottschalk (Q/D) set the fastest time ahead of their team colleagues Mauricio Neves/Eduardo Bampi (BR/BR) and Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz Senra (E/E). The diesel technology of the 280-hp Race Touareg provided a crucial advantage: The 539-kilometer stage from Palmas to Luis Eduardo Magalhães was marked by quick gravel stretches with long flat-out passages as well as by trial-like segments where the high torque of the 2.5-litre TDI engines was advantageous. Al-Attiyah/Gottschalk were 3m 21s faster than Neves/Bampi, Sainz/Cruz Senra lost almost eleven minutes due to two unscheduled stops: A hose clip on the inter cooler was broken and later the Spanish duo had to change a wheel due to a slow puncture.

Nasser Al-Attiyah (Q), 1st place leg / 1st place overall – “This was a really, really fast leg that I liked very much because it reminded me of special stages in the World Rally Championship. It was very fluid and nice to drive. My co-driver Timo Gottschalk and I have meanwhile found a good rhythm – and I’m now really familiar with the Race Touareg and its character.”

On the fifth leg of the Rallye dos Sertoes, the quickest of the ten rally days, the sensors of the Volkswagen engineers logged a full-throttle section of 11.2 kilometers for Mauricio Neves/Eduardo Bampi – in total, Neves was driving flat out 46.1 per cent of the time.

Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director): “Today the three duos in the Race Touareg vehicles demonstrated why Volkswagen won the ‘Dakar’. On this fast leg top speed was equally important as torque since the stage also led through technically demanding sections. All three teams delivered a first-class performance – but special praise goes to our Brazilian crew: Mauricio Neves and Eduardo Bampi have perfectly integrated themselves into our team and thrill the local fans with their strong performances.”

Related posts:

1. Sainz with stage win to overall Dos Sertões lead
2. Al-Attiyah and Carlos Sainz fighting for overall victory
3. Volkswagen celebrates one-two win at “little Dakar” in Brazil
4. Volkswagen continues leading the Dakar Rally
5. Five Race Touareg at 2010 Dakar

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This post was written by Memin