VIDEO: VW, BMW and Mitsubishi diesels lead the way in 2009 Dakar Rally
Following the terrorist threats that caused the cancellation of the 2008 Dakar Rally, the race is back on for 2009. This time, even though the name remains, the battle has moved from the Sahara desert to South America. This year's event kicked off Saturday in Beunos Aires, Argentina. The 436 competitors will follow a 9,574 km route heading south to Puerto Madryn, and then over to Chile for a stop over in Valparaiso before they make their way back to Buenos Aires. So far, after two days of competition, the "car" class is being led by diesels from Volkswagen, Mitsubishi, and BMW.
Two-time world rally champion Carlos Sainz won day two and leads overall in one of the VW Race Touaregs followed by another Touareg, a Mitsubishi Lancer, a BMW X3 and a second Lancer rounding out the top five. The four Mitsubishi Lancers are all running on non-food sourced biodiesel. You can check out a summary video of day 2 after the jump.
[Source: Dakar.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Phil L. 1:42PM (1/05/2009)
Go Dakar!
I miss Africa this year - but not the drama that has gone with it in recent years. It looks like South America is offering true Dakar challenges.
For those looking for greener rally events, you may recall the Zero Rally Africa discussed here earlier:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/11/04/zero-rally-africa-gears-up-for-2009/
Sadly, they're web site seems to be perpetually in a "Rescheduled - date to be announced soon" mode.
Reply
Phil L. 1:44PM (1/05/2009)
Gag: Why didn't I see the "they're" that should be "their" before clicking the button?
And the currently-static Zero Rally Africa site:
http://www.zerorallyafrica.com/
Meanwhile, still hoping for some kind of comment edit feature...
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Joe 3:06PM (1/05/2009)
"Meanwhile, still hoping for some kind of comment edit feature..."
Aren't we all? How hard could it be?