Mr_Diesel
01-06-2006, 02:41 PM
The TDI Touareg Leads the Dakar Rally -
http://www.dubnetworks.net/images/racetouareg.jpg
After a name change at the top of the leader board, Volkswagen still leads the Dakar Rally: On the sixth of 15 stages, held over 792 kilometres from Tan Tan to Zouerat. Giniel de Villiers took the lead for the first time. In his Race Touareg 2, the South African lies in front of previous leader and team mate Carlos Sainz and Jutta Kleinschmidt, who completes the Wolfsburg trio at the head of the field. Only 34 seconds separate the fastest three after 3,859 kilometres, or 42 per cent of the rally’s entire distance. Until now Volkswagen have lead on five of the six stages and claimed three stage victories. Bruno Saby is sixth and Mark Miller seventh.
Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director): "34 seconds separate the three Volkswagens at the head of the leader board, which is amazing. I wasn’t surprised to see Magnaldi and Schlesser at the front today, since this stage was well suited for the Schlesser-Ford buggies. Two very tough stages with high dunes and tricky navigation now loom before the long awaited rest day on Sunday.”
#301 – Bruno Saby (F), 8th place (leg) / 6th position overall: "Although my Race Touareg 2 is running well, I can still feel my back after driving through the pothole yesterday. I can’t attack because of the pain. We had to change a rear wheel 20 kilometres before the finish. At least we are still sixth.”
#303 – Jutta Kleinschmidt (D), 4th place (leg) / 3rd position overall: "Today’s stage was incredibly quick. The stage from Tan Tan to Zouerat was much easier than last year, possibly too easy. In the closing stages we caught up Luc Alphand, who had also made a few navigational errors like the other cars in front of us."
#305 – Giniel de Villiers (RSA), 3rd place (leg) / 1st position overall: "Although I didn’t take any risks, we are now in the lead. The Race Touareg was excellent in the camel grass; I even left Luc Alphand and Nani Roma behind me in these sections. We can expect very difficult navigation tomorrow.”
#307 – Carlos Sainz (E), 7th place (leg) / 2nd position overall: "Everything started very well. We overtook Jutta Kleinschmidt and caught Nani Roma. A tyre failure that we picked up in Roma’s dust forced us to stop 20 kilometres before the finish. Then we got lost.”
#309 – Mark Miller (USA), 10th place (leg) / 7th position overall: "We’ve lost a little ground, because I drove slower after a dangerous jump. The rear came up very high when we drove too quickly over a dune. Today we saw just how difficult the navigation is when you start second.”
Three questions to Andreas Schulz, co-driver for Carlos Sainz
New navigation rules significantly limiting the use of satellite navigation systems are now valid in the Dakar Rally. How are the new regulations?
"The new regulations make the co-drivers job more difficult. I personally don’t think the new rules are fair, because the team entering the stage first is disadvantaged through the difficult navigation. On the other hand, the following drivers can use the dust clouds and tracks for orientation and can drive faster as a result and do not run such a high risk of making mistakes. So, the drivers in the midfield have an advantage. The best tactics under the new rules are to run in midfield and try not to win any stages.”
How are you getting on with Carlos Sainz, who, as two-time World Champion, competes in his first "Dakar"?
"I’m surprised that Carlos has won three stages and that we actually held the overall lead on a couple of occasions. We are working very well together. Carlos works completely professionally, is very interested, asks lots of questions and learn very quickly.”
The difficult and long stages in the dunes are on the agenda from now on. How do you think you will fair on these tracks?
"Our Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 is just as good as and just as quick as our competitors’ vehicles. However, we don’t know how Carlos will cope in the sand. We are all very intrigued to see just what the next few days bring. We’ll also try to achieve the maximum through perfect team work in the dunes.”
Standings after stage 6, Tan Tan (MA) – Zouerat (MR); 444/792 km stage 6/total
Pos., Team, Vehicle, Stage 6, Total time
1. Giniel de Villiers/Tina Thörner (RSA/S), Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3:26:40 hrs. (3.) 13:04.57 hrs.
2. Carlos Sainz/Andreas Schulz (E/D), Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3:29:23 hrs. (7.) + 22 sec.
3. Jutta Kleinschmidt/Fabrizia Pons (D/I), Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3:28:07 hrs. (4.) + 34 sec.
4. Jean-L. Schlesser/François Borsotto (F/F), Schlesser-Ford; 3:25:49 hrs. (2.) + 1.02 min.
5. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 3:28:56 hrs. (5.) + 2.02 min.
6. Bruno Saby/Michel Périn (F/F), Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3:30:17 hrs. (8.) + 3.57 min.
7. Mark Miller/Dirk von Zitzewitz (USA/D), Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3:33:59 hrs. (10.) + 7.14 min.
8. Thierry Magnaldi/Arnaud Debron (F/F), Schlesser-Ford; 3:22:54 hrs. (1.) + 8.10 min.
9. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-P. Cottret (F/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 3:29:13 hrs. (6.) + 9.37 min.
10. Nani Roma/Henri Magne (E/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 3:36:42 hrs. (11.) + 11.26 min.
Interview with Carlos Sainz - One of the Drivers
Dakar: Schulz - Volkswagen interview
Racing series CCR
Date 2006-01-05
Three questions to Andreas Schulz, co-driver for Carlos Sainz
New navigation rules significantly limiting the use of satellite navigation systems are now valid in the Dakar Rally. How are the new regulations?
"The new regulations make the co-drivers job more difficult. I personally don't think the new rules are fair, because the team entering the stage first is disadvantaged through the difficult navigation. On the other hand, the following drivers can use the dust clouds and tracks for orientation and can drive faster as a result and do not run such a high risk of making mistakes. So, the drivers in the midfield have an advantage. The best tactics under the new rules are to run in midfield and try not to win any stages."
How are you getting on with Carlos Sainz, who, as two-time World Champion, competes in his first "Dakar"?
"I'm surprised that Carlos has won three stages and that we actually held the overall lead on a couple of occasions. We are working very well together. Carlos works completely professionally, is very interested, asks lots of questions and learn very quickly."
The difficult and long stages in the dunes are on the agenda from now on. How do you think you will fair on these tracks?
"Our Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 is just as good as and just as quick as our competitors' vehicles. However, we don't know how Carlos will cope in the sand. We are all very intrigued to see just what the next few days bring. We'll also try to achieve the maximum through perfect team work in the dunes."
-volkswagen-
http://www.dubnetworks.net/images/racetouareg.jpg
After a name change at the top of the leader board, Volkswagen still leads the Dakar Rally: On the sixth of 15 stages, held over 792 kilometres from Tan Tan to Zouerat. Giniel de Villiers took the lead for the first time. In his Race Touareg 2, the South African lies in front of previous leader and team mate Carlos Sainz and Jutta Kleinschmidt, who completes the Wolfsburg trio at the head of the field. Only 34 seconds separate the fastest three after 3,859 kilometres, or 42 per cent of the rally’s entire distance. Until now Volkswagen have lead on five of the six stages and claimed three stage victories. Bruno Saby is sixth and Mark Miller seventh.
Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director): "34 seconds separate the three Volkswagens at the head of the leader board, which is amazing. I wasn’t surprised to see Magnaldi and Schlesser at the front today, since this stage was well suited for the Schlesser-Ford buggies. Two very tough stages with high dunes and tricky navigation now loom before the long awaited rest day on Sunday.”
#301 – Bruno Saby (F), 8th place (leg) / 6th position overall: "Although my Race Touareg 2 is running well, I can still feel my back after driving through the pothole yesterday. I can’t attack because of the pain. We had to change a rear wheel 20 kilometres before the finish. At least we are still sixth.”
#303 – Jutta Kleinschmidt (D), 4th place (leg) / 3rd position overall: "Today’s stage was incredibly quick. The stage from Tan Tan to Zouerat was much easier than last year, possibly too easy. In the closing stages we caught up Luc Alphand, who had also made a few navigational errors like the other cars in front of us."
#305 – Giniel de Villiers (RSA), 3rd place (leg) / 1st position overall: "Although I didn’t take any risks, we are now in the lead. The Race Touareg was excellent in the camel grass; I even left Luc Alphand and Nani Roma behind me in these sections. We can expect very difficult navigation tomorrow.”
#307 – Carlos Sainz (E), 7th place (leg) / 2nd position overall: "Everything started very well. We overtook Jutta Kleinschmidt and caught Nani Roma. A tyre failure that we picked up in Roma’s dust forced us to stop 20 kilometres before the finish. Then we got lost.”
#309 – Mark Miller (USA), 10th place (leg) / 7th position overall: "We’ve lost a little ground, because I drove slower after a dangerous jump. The rear came up very high when we drove too quickly over a dune. Today we saw just how difficult the navigation is when you start second.”
Three questions to Andreas Schulz, co-driver for Carlos Sainz
New navigation rules significantly limiting the use of satellite navigation systems are now valid in the Dakar Rally. How are the new regulations?
"The new regulations make the co-drivers job more difficult. I personally don’t think the new rules are fair, because the team entering the stage first is disadvantaged through the difficult navigation. On the other hand, the following drivers can use the dust clouds and tracks for orientation and can drive faster as a result and do not run such a high risk of making mistakes. So, the drivers in the midfield have an advantage. The best tactics under the new rules are to run in midfield and try not to win any stages.”
How are you getting on with Carlos Sainz, who, as two-time World Champion, competes in his first "Dakar"?
"I’m surprised that Carlos has won three stages and that we actually held the overall lead on a couple of occasions. We are working very well together. Carlos works completely professionally, is very interested, asks lots of questions and learn very quickly.”
The difficult and long stages in the dunes are on the agenda from now on. How do you think you will fair on these tracks?
"Our Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 is just as good as and just as quick as our competitors’ vehicles. However, we don’t know how Carlos will cope in the sand. We are all very intrigued to see just what the next few days bring. We’ll also try to achieve the maximum through perfect team work in the dunes.”
Standings after stage 6, Tan Tan (MA) – Zouerat (MR); 444/792 km stage 6/total
Pos., Team, Vehicle, Stage 6, Total time
1. Giniel de Villiers/Tina Thörner (RSA/S), Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3:26:40 hrs. (3.) 13:04.57 hrs.
2. Carlos Sainz/Andreas Schulz (E/D), Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3:29:23 hrs. (7.) + 22 sec.
3. Jutta Kleinschmidt/Fabrizia Pons (D/I), Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3:28:07 hrs. (4.) + 34 sec.
4. Jean-L. Schlesser/François Borsotto (F/F), Schlesser-Ford; 3:25:49 hrs. (2.) + 1.02 min.
5. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 3:28:56 hrs. (5.) + 2.02 min.
6. Bruno Saby/Michel Périn (F/F), Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3:30:17 hrs. (8.) + 3.57 min.
7. Mark Miller/Dirk von Zitzewitz (USA/D), Volkswagen Race Touareg 2; 3:33:59 hrs. (10.) + 7.14 min.
8. Thierry Magnaldi/Arnaud Debron (F/F), Schlesser-Ford; 3:22:54 hrs. (1.) + 8.10 min.
9. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-P. Cottret (F/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 3:29:13 hrs. (6.) + 9.37 min.
10. Nani Roma/Henri Magne (E/F), Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution; 3:36:42 hrs. (11.) + 11.26 min.
Interview with Carlos Sainz - One of the Drivers
Dakar: Schulz - Volkswagen interview
Racing series CCR
Date 2006-01-05
Three questions to Andreas Schulz, co-driver for Carlos Sainz
New navigation rules significantly limiting the use of satellite navigation systems are now valid in the Dakar Rally. How are the new regulations?
"The new regulations make the co-drivers job more difficult. I personally don't think the new rules are fair, because the team entering the stage first is disadvantaged through the difficult navigation. On the other hand, the following drivers can use the dust clouds and tracks for orientation and can drive faster as a result and do not run such a high risk of making mistakes. So, the drivers in the midfield have an advantage. The best tactics under the new rules are to run in midfield and try not to win any stages."
How are you getting on with Carlos Sainz, who, as two-time World Champion, competes in his first "Dakar"?
"I'm surprised that Carlos has won three stages and that we actually held the overall lead on a couple of occasions. We are working very well together. Carlos works completely professionally, is very interested, asks lots of questions and learn very quickly."
The difficult and long stages in the dunes are on the agenda from now on. How do you think you will fair on these tracks?
"Our Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 is just as good as and just as quick as our competitors' vehicles. However, we don't know how Carlos will cope in the sand. We are all very intrigued to see just what the next few days bring. We'll also try to achieve the maximum through perfect team work in the dunes."
-volkswagen-