The Rally Dakar will take place in Argentina and Chile from January 1st to 16th. Winner during the last two years, Volkswagen's target is a third win in-a-row. But is the BMW X-Raid strong enough to defeat the VW team?
The VW Touareg remains unbeaten on South American soil. Since the cancellation of the 2008 event and the event's move from Africa to South America, Volkswagen has won twice with Giniel De Villiers (2009) and Carlos Sainz (2010). Both men will again fight for victory in 2011, with Nasser Al Attiyah and Mark Miller completing the squad. But Volkswagen will have to face a strong BMW X-Raid team, which will run several X3-CC. Stephane Peterhansel will be once again the n°1 driver. The Frenchman, six-time winner in motorcycle and three-time winner in car, had taken the lead of the race last year, before being forced to stop due to a transmission failure. He will be looking for revenge in 2011. X-Raid will also run a Mini All4 Racing for Guerlain Chicherit, which will be a major attraction of the race. Robby Gordon will take part to the race with a Hummer. There will also be a Canadian duo in Buenos Aires, as Conor Malone and Frank Thomas will take the start aboard their Team Hankook’s Chevrolet. There are 160 cars, but also 200 motorcycles, 40 quads and 70 trucks expected to leave Buenos Aires for a two weeks race on Argentinian and Chilian soils in just a few weeks.
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