VW trio remains at Dakar Rally’s front of the field
After a successful beginning in Argentina, Volkswagen has proved the qualities of the Race Touareg on the first Chilean leg of the 2010 Dakar Rally as well. Nasser Al-Attiyah/Timo Gottschalk (Q/D) achieved third place at the demanding crossing of the Andes on the fourth leg from Fiambalá to Copiapó with a gap of 2m 26s behind the stage winners Robby Gordon/Andy Grider (USA/USA) in the Hummer and Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (F/F) from the X-raid team. In the following places, Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (E/E), Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (ZA/D) and Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/ZA) in the Race Touareg with TDI power completed Volkswagen’s successful stage. Maurício Neves/Clécio Maestrelli (BR/BR) reached the stage destination for Volkswagen in eighth place. At an average speed of 95.15 km/h Al-Attiyah as the best Volkswagen driver was clearly faster than on the previous day’s stage, which featured lots of dunes and was run at a speed that, on average, was 35 km/h slower.
After four of the 14 stages Stéphane Peterhansel continues ranking in front of the Volkswagen trio Carlos Sainz, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mark Miller while Maurício Neves is in tenth place.
In view of the high level of difficulty of yesterday’s stage and the fact that various participants had not even arrived at the previous leg’s finish during the night the organiser decided to shorten today’s stage. As a result, the fourth special stage only encompassed the first 163 of the planned 203 kilometres.
Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)
“It was a thrilling day which Robby Gordon finished as the surprise winner. All five Volkswagen vehicles reached the finish among the top eight cars. The five Race Touareg vehicles were running without the slightest technical problems. This means we’re fully on schedule. And we’re pleased to see that the Dakar Rally is such an exciting and open race.”
Press Release Volkswagen Motorsport – Puro Off Road is registered news user with Volkswagen Motorsport and Volkswagen of America
Related posts:
- VW maintaining its hold in front runners group
- Volkswagen continues leading the Dakar Rally
- Al-Attiyah takes lead at Dakar Rally
- Dakar Rally remains in South America for 2011
- Team X-raid field 4 BMW X3 CC for Dakar
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This post was compiled by Memin Pinguin
