The opening special brings a chase of both Kamaz trucks by Ales Loprais.
The start of the special was initiated by a 350-kilometer liaison and altitudes in the special climbed as high as 1000 metres above the sea level. Assistance vehicles left earlier to join the bivouac in Cordoba on time. Ales started the special third, according to the starting order given by starting numbers. Given the two-minute starting intervals and a one-hour lag of the first starting truck behind the last car, the track was free of usual dust clouds and Ales could set the pace according to his will. The gap between Ales and Chagin, winner of the stage, was shrinking within one minute throughout the special and finished at 27 seconds in favour of Chagin. About 70 kms before the end of the special, Chagin overtook Kabirov, both trucks switched positions. Ales gradually caught up Kabirov as well but due to intensive dust clouds there was no further overtaking possible.
"Feeling of driving were all positive but when I reached Kabirov in front of me I stopped pushing too hard. He ran a smart drive – fast enough not to keep me too much and slow enough to pave a solid was for Chagin in front of him. Never mind, from special 2 we will start between both contenders and their tactics will be harder. The main thing is, the opening special is behind us and we are looking forward t the next one," Ales summarized.
The second special from Cordoba to la Rioja will be run in the mountains of Sierra Cordoba on tracks well known fro Rally Argentina. It might influence the overall standings in a more significant way tan the first one. No matter how difficult, it will be a foreplay of the real sandy Dakar, which is waiting in the next days to come.
Jiri Vintr, Loprais Tatra Team, Cordoba |
