January 18, 2013

Errors impermissible in the final challenge

Report

The stage on January 18 ran between Copiapó and La Serena in Chile, the most challenging course of the 2013 Dakar Rally. Participants entered the special stage after a 99-km liaison section from the bivouac in Copiapó. The 441-km special stage includes a 61-km neutralized zone on paved roads during the mid-course. This zone divides the course in two, the first half in sand dunes near Copiapó and the second half in hills near the coast.
The first half of the special stage is a challenging course where participants have to deal with continuous tricky sand dunes after running up hills to almost 3000 m above sea level. In the second half participants run through relatively flat hills at high speed. This is a particularly difficult route where the slightest mistake is punished. Tomorrow, the special stage is 346-km with a neutralized zone paved 2/3 of the way, so the actual section for the race is short at 111 km in the first half and only a few km in the second half. For this reason, today’s course was crucial for participants to cut their time and move up the standings.
After the SS today, participants ran a 204 km liaison section to La Serena, the bivouac near the coast. Waiting mechanics conducted careful maintenance and checks to prepare for the final race tomorrow.
On January 19, participants will cover 625 km including a 346 km long special stage from La Serena to Santiago, Chile.

Ranking

TeamVehicleOverall Position T2/Production Group Position
#301TOYOTA IMPERIAL SA DAKAR TEAMPICKUP HILUX2-
#336OVERDRIVE TOYOTAPICKUP HILUX12-
#306OVERDRIVE TOYOTAHILUX15-
#343TEAM LAND CRUISER TOYOTA AUTO BODYLand Cruiser 200282
#359EQUIPO TOYOTA YACOPINIHILUX SW4424
#367EQUIPO TOYOTA YACOPINIHILUX SW4486

Gallery