Dakar and Rally-Raid discussion...

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Toyotas and Audis are not in the same league. The Qtrons could be classified as advanced vehicules or buggys of tomorrow, while Toys are more conventional. Thus being tougher and maybe easier to maintain in the middle of nowhere.

But I doubt Toyota is pouring the same money into it as Audi.

[justracing]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Stage 9 gives Loeb, Zala and Chicherit (Prodrive Hunter) Al-Attiyah finishing 9th by c 9 minutes. Cool. Now Loeb is third thanks to Lategan troubles, only 18 minutes from Moraes. Fingers crossed.

If Loeb hadn't suffered all those punctures in the earlier stages he could well have been challenging for the lead, sportscar legend, Romain Dumas continues to make good pace as well. Meanwhile the IOM TT rider James Hillier also battles on still, albeit with a collar bone injury, his sole intent is to complete the event in the Malle Moto class.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by justracing

If Loeb hadn't suffered all those punctures in the earlier stages he could well have been challenging for the lead

In spite of a rather poor TV coverage, we had the opportunity to see some focus on wheels and rims. When a rim has a flat spot and that the material is damaged you can expect the tyre has gone too! Fact is they all are at the limit, physical and mechanical, any step beyond will be paid cash.

Only now the Toys damage the shocks, what a wreckage!

[E.B]

Another win for Loeb in stage 10.... 3 in a row now. But Al-Attiya still very much in control with 2nd place Moraes still over 1hour 20 minutes behind him and Loeb 1 hour 37 minutes behind A-A.

New leader in the bikes though as Kevin Benavides has leapfrogged Skyler Howes and Toby Price to take over the lead.... the top 3 split by just over 2 minutes.

[justracing]

Carlos Sainz decided to retire from the event yesterday after a pretty heroic gesture to continue despite shoulder and back injuries. Pleased for him that he made the right decision in the end, as many of us on here will attest it doesn't get any easier with age I have a feeling that the marathon stage over the next 2 days is going to be the crunch point for many.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by justracing

Carlos Sainz decided to retire from the event yesterday after a pretty heroic gesture to continue despite shoulder and back injuries. Pleased for him that he made the right decision in the end, as many of us on here will attest it doesn't get any easier with age I have a feeling that the marathon stage over the next 2 days is going to be the crunch point for many.

I think it was Audi who pulled the plug, not on Carlos or Lucas's behalf but because the car had received structural damage to the carbon fibre monocoque / chassis, thus rendering it impossible to repair in time before heading out to the next stage. Carlos and Lucas had both been declared fit to continue by the medics and physios apparently. (According to the Audi director Rolf Michi)

[justracing]

Originally Posted by E.B

I think it was Audi who pulled the plug, not on Carlos or Lucas's behalf but because the car had received structural damage to the carbon fibre monocoque / chassis, thus rendering it impossible to repair in time before heading out to the next stage. Carlos and Lucas had both been declared fit to continue by the medics and physios apparently. (According to the Audi director Rolf Michi)

Ahh, ok, good decision for Carlos and his co driver anyway. I think both Carlos and Peterhansel possibly foresaw a potential unique win this year to top off their incredible records.

[NaBUru38]

Classification after stage 10:

Bikes

• 1. ARG Kevin Benavides (KTM), + 35:46'
• 2. USA Skyler Howes (Husqvarna), 1'29"
• 3. AUS Toby Price (KTM), + 2'10"
• 4. FRA Andrien Van Beveren (Honda), + 9'
• 5. CHI Pablo Quintanilla (Honda), + 14'
• 6. USA Mason Klein (KTM), + 15'
• 7. CHI Josè Ignacio Cornejo (Honda), + 20'
• 8. ARG Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna), + 21'
• 9. AUS Daniel Sanders (Gas Gas), + 23'
• 10. AUT Mattias Walkner (KTM), + 39'

T1 Cars

• 1. QAT Nasser Al-Attiyah (Toyota), 36:13'
• 2. BRA Lucas Moraes (Toyota), + 1:21'
• 3. FRA Sébastien Loeb (BRX), + 1:35'
• 4. RSA Henk Lategan (Toyota), + 1:48'
• 5. RSA Giniel de Vulliers (Toyota), + 2:10'
• 6. FRA Romain Dumas (Rebellion), + 2:45'
• 7. CZE Martin Prokop (Ford), + 2:50'
• 8. RSA Brian Baragwanath (Century), + 2:56'
• 9. CHN Han Wei (SMG), + 3:43'
• 10. ARG Juan Cruz Yacopini (Toyota), + 4:00'

T3 Light Prototypes

• 1. BEL Guillaume de Mévius (OT3), 41:45'
• 2. USA Austin Jones (Can-Am), + 7'
• 3. USA Seth Quintero (Can-Am), + 1:03'
• 4. CHI Francisco López (Can-Am), + 2:44'
• 5. ESP Cristina Gutiérrez (Can-Am), + 3:14'

T4 SSV

• 1. LTU Rokas Baciuška (Can-Am), + 43:17'
• 2. POL Eryk Goczal (Can-Am), + 3'
• 3. ESP Gerard Farrés (Can-Am), + 6'
• 4. POL Marek Goczal (Can-Am), + 11'
• 5. ARG Jeremias Gonzlez Ferioli (Can-Am), + 45'
• 6. BRA Cristiano Batoista (Can-Am), + 1:53'

T5 Trucks

• 1. NED Janus Van Kasteren (Iveco), 43:00'
• 2. NED Martin Van Der Brink (Iveco), + 22'
• 4. CZE Martin Macik (Iveco), + 57'
• 5. NED Mitchel Van Der Brink (Iveco), + 2:08'
• 6. CZE Jaroslav Valtr (Tatra), + 2:22'

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Classification after stage 10:
T5 Trucks

• 1. NED Janus Van Kasteren (Iveco), 43:00'
• 2. NED Martin Van Der Brink (Iveco), + 22'
• 4. CZE Martin Macik (Iveco), + 57'
• 5. NED Mitchel Van Der Brink (Iveco), + 2:08'
• 6. CZE Jaroslav Valtr (Tatra), + 2:22'

Leader change in T5 class for a sad reason. During the stage on Tuesday leader Ales Loprais had hit a spectator. The spectator died after heart attack later that day. Loprais had no blame for the accident because the spectator was behind a sand dune but decided to leave the rally.

[Gerard C]

Of course a sad story.
Lets see if the Toy armada can both help Al-Attiyah of needed and prevent Loeb from jumping on th second place of the podium. Till now the japansesmachines demonstrated a high level reliability, but during the last days they had some tranmissiin and shocks alerts.

Raging battles in T3 and T4, I imagine they need less work between two stages.

[E.B]

All change again at the top in the Bikes..... Howes now leads Price by 28 seconds with Kevin Benavides dropping to 3rd, 2mins 44secs behind.

Plus 4 in a row for Loeb, from Chicherit Ekstrom and Moraes with A-A 5th but only 6:42 behind Loeb so he still leads Moraes by 1hr 21 and Loeb by 1hr 30.

[justracing]

Originally Posted by E.B

All change again at the top in the Bikes..... Howes now leads Price by 28 seconds with Kevin Benavides dropping to 3rd, 2mins 44secs behind.

Plus 4 in a row for Loeb, from Chicherit Ekstrom and Moraes with A-A 5th but only 6:42 behind Loeb so he still leads Moraes by 1hr 21 and Loeb by 1hr 30.

Yep, the biker competitors are really sooo close alomost anything could happen in the closing stages. The Toyotas are trying to squeeze Loeb in submission but he's having none of it, great drive from Seb - what may have been?

[E.B]

5 in a row for Loeb....from Ekstrom and Al-Attiyay who were both within 3.mins 30.
A-A still leads overall by 1hr 27, but Seb has moved to 2nd overall.... by a second, from Moraes! Loeb the only non Toyota in the top 5

Another lead change in the bikes as Price moves into 1st, 28 seconds clear of Howes with Kevin Benavides 2mins 40 secs behind Price in 3rd.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by E.B

5 in a row for Loeb....

Loeb taking 5 stage wins consecutively as he has now done this year, is a feat that has only previously been achieved in the history of Dkar by Ari Vatanen, way back in 1989.
Seb will be happy to join such an elite club.

[justracing]

Originally Posted by E.B

Loeb taking 5 stage wins consecutively as he has now done this year, is a feat that has only previously been achieved in the history of Dkar by Ari Vatanen, way back in 1989.
Seb will be happy to join such an elite club.

Yep, another great stage from Loeb

[justracing]

Seb sets a new record with 6 in a row, c'est magnifique! and what a scrap in the bikes with the top 3 separated by a 1 minute!

[E.B]

Originally Posted by justracing

Seb sets a new record with 6 in a row, c'est magnifique! and what a scrap in the bikes with the top 3 separated by a 1 minute!

Yeah clearly the car honours for the win are settled barring some sort of fail on the Toyota, but can Loeb make it 7 in a row? Im sure A-A will be risking nothing to challenge him for that chance.

With the bikes and the lead split by only 12 seconds in Price's favour after Benavides (rightful) post stage time credit for when he stopped to help the injured Matthias Walkner, who crashed heavily 55km in it is all on the line.

Benavides and Price are the final 2 to start their final run, which I guess gives Price a bit of an edge with him being the chaser rather than the leader and may be able to 'go to school' on Benavides route.

Its all on the line and should be a nailbiter between Toby and Kevin. Just one mistake from either could or will settle the outcome. They will be off the start in about an hour. May the best man win etc.

[E.B]

Just had a look at the live comments on the Dakar website and the first bikes are well on their way.... apparently reports of heavy mud 29klms in and causing many bikes problems getting stuck.

Could liven things up with one last hurdle before the finish.... when Benavides and Price get there!

[E.B]

Nothing official yet but looks like Benavides got the job done and seems to be the unofficial winner by less than a minute from Price.

[NaBUru38]

2023 Dakar Rally - Final classification

Bikes

• 1. ARG Kevin Benavides (KTM), + 44:27'
• 2. AUS Toby Price (KTM), + 0'43"
• 3. USA Skyler Howes (Husqvarna), 5'
• 4. CHI Pablo Quintanilla (Honda), + 19'
• 5. FRA Andrien Van Beveren (Honda), + 20'
• 6. ARG Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna), + 22'
• 7. AUS Daniel Sanders (Gas Gas), + 14'
• 8. CHI Josè Ignacio Cornejo (Honda), + 51'
• 9. ESP Lorenzo Santolino (Sherco), + 1:17'
• 10. ARG Franco Caimi (Hero), + 1:38'

T1 Cars

• 1. QAT Nasser Al-Attiyah (Toyota), 45:03'
• 2. FRA Sébastien Loeb (BRX), + 1:20'
• 3. BRA Lucas Moraes (Toyota), + 1:38'
• 4. RSA Giniel de Villiers (Toyota), + 2:31'
• 5. RSA Henk Lategan (Toyota), + 2:36'
• 6. CZE Martin Prokop (Ford), + 3:40'
• 7. ARG Juan Cruz Yacopini (Toyota), + 4:27'
• 8. CHN Han Wei (SMG), + 4:29'
• 9. ARG Sebastián Halpern (Mini), + 4:42'
• 10. FRA Guerlain Chicherit (Prodrive), + 5:22'

T3 Light Prototypes

• 1. USA Austin Jones (Can-Am), + 51:55'
• 2. USA Seth Quintero (Can-Am), + 52'
• 3. BEL Guillaume de Mévius (OT3), + 1:35'
• 4. ESP Cristina Gutiérrez (Can-Am), + 2:56'
• 5. CHI Francisco López (Can-Am), + 2:59'

T4 SSV

• 1. POL Eryk Goczal (Can-Am), + 52:10'
• 2. LTU Rokas Baciuška (Can-Am), + 16'
• 3. POL Marek Goczal (Can-Am), + 18'
• 4. ARG Jeremias Gonzlez Ferioli (Can-Am), + 1:07'
• 5. ESP Gerard Farrés (Can-Am), + 1:49'

T5 Trucks

• 1. NED Janus Van Kasteren (Iveco), 54:03'
• 2. CZE Martin Macik (Iveco), + 1:14'
• 3. NED Martin Van Der Brink (Iveco), + 2:40'
• 4. NED Mitchel Van Der Brink (Iveco), + 4:02'
• 4. CZE Jaroslav Valtr (Tatra), + 5:06'

Quads

• 1. FRA Alexandre Giroud (Yamaha), 56:44'
• 2. ARG Francisco Moreno (Yamaha), + 43'
• 3. USA Pablo Copetti (Yamaha), + 1:52'
• 4. SVK Juraj Varga (Yamaha), + 2:51'
• 5. CHI Giovanni Enrico (Yamaha), + 4:57'

Classics

• 1. ESP Juan Morera (Toyota), 428 pts
• 2. ESP Carlos Santaolalla (Toyota), 529 pts
• 3. ITA Paolo Bedeschi (Toyota), 631 pts
• 4. ITA Riccardo Garosci (Nissan), 813 pts
• 5. FRA Serge Mogno (Toyota), 889 pts

[NaBUru38]

KTM factory rider Kevin Benavides had a hard crash during practice before Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. He had a femur fracture, which required surgery.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

KTM factory rider Kevin Benavides had a hard crash during practice before Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. He had a femur fracture, which required surgery.

How is he doing now? On the road to recovery?

[NaBUru38]

Yes, he is in recovery.

[NaBUru38]

Ford will have a factory team at the 2024 Dakar Rally, in partnership with M-Sport and Neil Woolridge Motorsport.

https://www.crash.net/dakar/news/102...ally-programme

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Ford will have a factory team at the 2024 Dakar Rally, in partnership with M-Sport and Neil Woolridge Motorsport.

https://www.crash.net/dakar/news/102...ally-programme

And Nasser Al-Attiyah at the wheel.