S10 – HAMI-DUNHUANG “The track to the caves” 525,24kms
Another day in the Chinese furnace as the Gobi Desert nears saw Stéphane Peterhansel and Jean- Paul Cottret (Peugeot DKR 2008), in their role as rapid assistance, triumph on Stage 10. The leaders ran as one through the heat and over the tracks through the Hami Basin.
Second overall, Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena (Peugeot DKR 2008) were runner-up today at 01’15”. Harry Hunt and Andreas Schulz (MINI ALL4 Racing) were third best at 03’03”. 2016 Silk Way Rally leaders, Cyril Despres and David Castera (Peugeot DKR 2008) were fourth at 03’35” and now have a 09’57” lead with 4 special stags remaining.
Yazeed Al Rahji and Timo Glottschalk (MINI ALL4 Racing) completed the Top 5 at 04’13” to the leaders and are third overall with a comfortable 17’46” cushion to fourth in the general classification Vladimir Vasilyev and Konstantin Zhiltsov (MINI ALL4 Racing). Harry Hunt and Andreas Schulz complete the overall Top 5
T2 At a glance…
The two-car battle continues
Akira Muira and Laurent Lichtleuchter (Toyota VDJ200) won yet again on Tuesday in their ongoing battle with Denis Berezovskiy and Ignat Falkov (Toyota Land Cruiser) finished second at 08’52” and now trail Muira and Lichtleuchter by 1h02’22” in the general classification.
VDB bounces back
Martin Van Den Brink and this Renault crew bounced back today after cooling issues yesterday. The Dutch driver knew he had 6 minutes in hand when he caught the first of the Kamaz. With 40kms left in the special stage, the right-rear tyre on the Renault Sherpa began to shred and the crew continually fed air to the problem corner, while hoping the other tyres would hold to together. VDB muscled went on for the win by 02’51” from second overall, Airat Mardeev (Kamaz). The Dutchman now has a 04’32 from the Russian in the general classification. The Kamaz trio of Anton Shibalov, Edouard Nikolaev and Dmitry Sotnikov completed the Top 5. Third overall, Shibalov is now at 09’20” to the leader, Van Den Brink.
Tomorrow :
Stage 11 of the 2016 Silk Way Rally, between Dunhuang and Jiayuguan (609,66 km with 193,91 km of special stage) will begin with a run through some small dunes, before heading into the mountains at 2,500 metres above sea level were the going will be tricky with wadi crossings and the pace will vary. Crews will have to stay much focused if they are to put in a good time.