Mitsubishi and Volkswagen Battling for Dakar Win
At Dakar, the Volkswagen Touaregs were still running strong as the event reached the halfway point, with Volkswagen occupying
third, fourth and fifth places following the Dakar Rally's extremely tough seventh stage, and remained in a promising position.
But after 283 kilometres of stage 10 on Tuesday, between Kiffa, Mauritania and Kayes, Mali, highest marks had to go to defending champions Stéphane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret, in their Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team car.
"It was not a straightforward stage at all," said Peterhansel, third quickest today. "Between the trees and the rocks it was very slow and twisty, with many tight turns. It was not easy to open
the road, even though it was a short stage, although we had no problems with the car at all."
Mitsubishi also holds second place, despite driver Luc Alphand and co-driver Gilles Picard hitting a tree.
Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team Director Dominique Serieys commented on the day's events by saying, "Uncertainty is the nature of this race; it is never over until you see Dakar. Luc has lost 30 minutes today, so maybe any thoughts of team orders have now been extinguished by Africa! Now I will stress to our drivers to keep their concentration and make no mistakes."
Quickest in the segment was WRC champion Carlos Sainz in his Volkswagen, although he remains 13th overall.
Motorsport Quick Hits...
I hear Canada is about to get its first 'Red Bull' driver in Robert Wickens. Wickens is said to have impressed all recently at the Formula BMW World Finals, and that, along with a win at the Race of Champions in France, seems to have Wickens on the fast track...
.....and the big news... NEXTEL CUP cars will hit Daytona this week, so look for a full report next week.
At Dakar, the Volkswagen Touaregs were still running strong as the event reached the halfway point, with Volkswagen occupying
 |
| After 283 km of stage 10 on Tuesday, between Kiffa, Mauritania and Kayes, Mali, highest marks had to go to defending champions Stéphane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret, in their Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team car. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North American) |
But after 283 kilometres of stage 10 on Tuesday, between Kiffa, Mauritania and Kayes, Mali, highest marks had to go to defending champions Stéphane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret, in their Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team car.
"It was not a straightforward stage at all," said Peterhansel, third quickest today. "Between the trees and the rocks it was very slow and twisty, with many tight turns. It was not easy to open
 |
| Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team Director Dominique Serieys commented on the day's events by saying, "Uncertainty is the nature of this race; it is never over until you see Dakar. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North American) |
Mitsubishi also holds second place, despite driver Luc Alphand and co-driver Gilles Picard hitting a tree.
Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team Director Dominique Serieys commented on the day's events by saying, "Uncertainty is the nature of this race; it is never over until you see Dakar. Luc has lost 30 minutes today, so maybe any thoughts of team orders have now been extinguished by Africa! Now I will stress to our drivers to keep their concentration and make no mistakes."
Quickest in the segment was WRC champion Carlos Sainz in his Volkswagen, although he remains 13th overall.
Motorsport Quick Hits...
I hear Canada is about to get its first 'Red Bull' driver in Robert Wickens. Wickens is said to have impressed all recently at the Formula BMW World Finals, and that, along with a win at the Race of Champions in France, seems to have Wickens on the fast track...
.....and the big news... NEXTEL CUP cars will hit Daytona this week, so look for a full report next week.
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