V.Žala, returning to the bivouac “Hope dies at the end”

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia hosted the first stage of the Dakar Rally, which is probably the toughest race in the world. Vaidoto lesions and Paulo Fuiza the crew (Agrorodeo, Mini John Cooper Works Rally) stopped just 20 km before the finish due to clutch problems.

V. Damage to the finish line Benedict Vanagas. Although the Mini was initially thought to have only clutch problems, later V. Žala also heard disturbing noises from the engine, which could spell the end of the Dakar.

“When we stopped, we waited for the first car for half an hour, I thought maybe we were not going somewhere, quiet, quiet …”, said V.Žala. “It’s a shame, but I realized that we can keep up. Everything looked really good, I wasn’t risking my mind, but that pace was quite different from what we had been driving before so I took a bush, well it’s smooth. It is like. God forbid it is my imagination, technically illiterate, but what I heard about the engine … ”.

We remind you that the engine cannot be replaced in Dakar and repairs are unlikely to be carried out.

V.Žala also approached B.Vanags and commented on the 20 km that were being towed.

“The worst kilometers I have driven in Dakar. I couldn’t even buckle up, I didn’t see anything. It was cruel, I thought we would use it together, “said V. Žala.

“If you want a taxi, I’m sorry, but here’s an express taxi,” Vanags said.

Later, when he returned to Bivuaka, V.Žala told more about the speed section, was glad to be driving among the leaders and although he did not show much optimism, he expressed little hope.

“The speed section started perfectly, we drove quite fiercely, but I didn’t call, we drove on the tracks as much as we could. Thinking about what we’re going to protect here, do we need to drive fast or why are we driving here? I wanted to see what my reflexes allowed . The co-driver worked perfectly, we turned sideways only once throughout the whole speed segment, but we were immediately surprised. And anyway, total comfort. I suspected something had to go wrong, but about 100 km away , weird signs appeared when the clutch started to engage. I’ve seen those signs in my life, we tried to protect ourselves but there were a lot of rocks and sand at the end and we were 20 miles away. We waited for the next car for half an hour, thinking how might Once we didn’t go here, we sat like Bedouins, alone. Later the buggy and Benedict arrived, whom we thank greatly for agreeing to stretch to the end. Still, something happened while we Ace was pulling because some kind of sound was firing, it was showing zero oil pressure and the signals were that something had happened to the engine. Chebra will watch, but I suspect we have a problem that I don’t know if it will be solved. I’m sad, but it’s good that we measured ourselves, which means that we will have to come back and fight with the best, ”said V.Žala. “Hope is the last thing you lose. No oil leaks, but something happened, let’s see.”

According to preliminary data, B.Vanagas, who pulled V.Žala and lost two tires, finished 32nd (+00: 41: 16) and V.Žala – 36th (+00: 44: 16).

You can read B.Vanag’s comment after this speed section by clicking here.

The runners, who passed the 11 km prologue yesterday, had a much greater challenge this time: they had to cover a 277 km section with six intermediate points.

According to the organizers, today the road surface was 49% gravel, 48% sand, 3% riverbeds and dry canyons. According to the organizers, the stones had to start from kilometer 90, but according to motorcyclist Arūnas Gelažninkas, they started from kilometer 50.

This stretch of speed was a test for the navigators, as at least some roads that were not marked in the road book crossed in certain places, so runners had to keep a close eye on the routes and become friends with the compass.

101 motorcyclists, 64 cars, 16 quadricycles, 44 trucks and 61 buggies set off in the first speed section.