The Oilibya Rally of Morocco is turning out to become a bit of a nightmare for Sebastien Loeb in the Peugeot 2008 DKR16. After suffering a broken turbo on stage one on Monday, he rolled the Peugeot on stage three today. He was however, able to get the car going again after receiving assistance. It is reported however, that he stopped 10km from the finish with a broken wheel that they are trying to fix.
Carlos Sainz in the other Peugeot did not have any problems and continues to lead the rally, the final round of the FIA World Cross Country Cup. He finished the stage 5’20” faster than Nasser Al-Attiyah in a X-Raid Mini. Third was the current championship log leader Vladimir Vasilev in a Overdrive Toyota Hi-Lux, 22’07” behind Sainz.
Yazeed Al-Rajhi, Toyota Hi-Lux, was fourh in the provisional overall standing 22’15” slower than Sainz.
South Africa’s Giniel de Villiers in a Toyota Hi-Lux was fifth overall 27’13 off the pace of the leader followed by his team mate, Leeroy Poulter, 32’17” behind Sainz.
Making his debut in cross country races, former WRC rally ace, Mikko Hirvonen was 35’13” behind the Peugeot in his X-Raid Mini.
In the section for bikes, Joan Barreda on a Honda has retaken the lead from Sam Siunderland riding a KTM. Sunderland was 3’57” behind Barreda. Third in the4 provisional overall standings was Matthias Walkner also on a KTM 5′ 22″ behind Barreda.
After his bike broke down, Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha) was back on the track but will now abandon the stage. However, on the OiLibya Rally of Morocco a competitor who abandons a stage can start back the day after.
A possibility that Toby Price (KTM), Antoine Meo (KTM) and Jordi Viladoms (KTM) will probably not take. Sick, they apparently leave the rally.