Volkswagen drivers run away at Rally dos Sertões
On the third leg of the Rally dos Sertões in Brazil Volkswagen further extended its one-two lead. The South African Giniel de Villiers and his German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz in the Race Touareg clinched victory on the rally’s third leg as well. The American Mark Miller and his South African co-driver Ralph Pitchford in the second Race Touareg finished the 415-kilometre stage from Aruanã to Niquelandia in the north of the country in second place. Since the spectators stage on Tuesday, de Villiers/von Zitzewitz have had the overall lead, twelve minutes ahead of their team-mates Miller/Pitchford. The third-placed Mitsubishi driver Reinaldo Varela is already running behind them with a 45-minute gap.
The third leg featured picturesque passages through remote regions of the state of Goias. For the first time in the history of the Rally dos Sertões, the contenders crossed this part of Brazil. In addition to flat and fast sections, the route also went through hilly areas. With the numerous jumps on the stony, rough terrain, a perfect suspension setup was the key to success.The Dakar-seasoned factory team of the automobile manufacturer from Wolfsburg opted for a softer damper setting compared to the previous day and came up with an ideal compromise between ride, traction and precise handling.
On Saturday, the Volkswagen drivers have to tackle another 482 kilometres from Niquelandia to Paranã. For the first time at the Sertões Rally, a cross-country leg without night-time team service is on the agenda then.
The rally, which will end on 27 June in Natal in the north-east of Brazil on the Atlantic coast, has ten legs covering a total of 4,500 kilometres, making it the longest rally contested by Volkswagen so far besides the Dakar Rally.
