Volkswagen drivers´ duel keeps “Dakar” result open to the finish
January 15, 2010 by
Fish
Filed under
Press Releases, Rally
Wolfsburg (15 January 2010). Two Volkswagen Race Touareg fighting for victory are keeping the 2010 Dakar Rally exciting and the result open up until the last minute: On the desert classic’s thirteenth and penultimate stage Nasser Al-Attiyah/Timo Gottschalk (Q/D) took 2 minutes 32 seconds from their team mates Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (E/E). The Spanish duo’s lead over their team mates in the overall standings shrunk as a result to only 2 minutes 48 seconds. Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/ZA) completes the Volkswagen trio at the head of the leader board.
The two leading drivers and co-drivers have kept the Dakar fans breathless for days: During a remarkable chase Al-Attiyah/Gottschalk reduced their deficit from 10 minutes 6 seconds (stage 10) to 4 minutes 28 seconds the following day (stage 11). The gap then climbed to 5 minutes 20 seconds (stage 12) and following today’s stage between San Rafael and Santa Rosa in Argentina, it is only 168 seconds – so, the tension will rise all the way to the finish in Buenos Aires. Victory on today’s leg of 725 kilometres went to Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (F/F) in an X-raid BMW ahead of Al-Attiyah. Sainz and Miller were fourth and fifth. Peterhansel in fourth position overall is also the closest challenger to the three leading Race Touareg. Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (ZA/D) are a further three positions behind in the fourth Volkswagen Race Touareg within the top seven best teams.
Victory in the world’s hardest rally will be decided on Saturday’s final 206 kilometre long stage, which leads the teams to the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. The victorious crew receive the winners’ spoils on Sunday after having been greeted enthusiastically on the drive across the podium.
Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)
“That was a nerve racking day: The Dakar Rally was exciting and it remains so thanks to Carlos and Nasser. Tomorrow will reveal which Volkswagen duo wins the rally. Everybody in the team and all the fans can look forward to a thrilling finale.”
Note to editors: A complete report with drivers’ quotes will follow shortly.
Volkswagen Motorsport public website: www.volkswagen-motorsport.com
2010 Dakar Rally info: www.dakar.com
Volkswagen “Dakar” iPhone app: www.volkswagen-motorsport.com/dakar_iPhone
