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 | Africa Eco Race: Team Loomans to start with 5 cars (Africa-Toyota) and trucks.
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For its third participation (on four editions), Jacky Loomans is clearly a loyal competitor to the Africa Eco Race. For his 24th major African rally, Limburg driver prepares his weapons, highly motivated to take his revenge after the mechanical problems he had on the previous edition.
"For the 4th Africa Eco Race, the full team will be there" Loomans told. "We will have three cars and two trucks entered in the race. I’ll have a new vehicle, a Toyota developed in South Africa, an even more performant car... This year, the engine failure on the last stage in Morocco spoiled the race, so in 2012, I am determined to fight and reach Dakar in a good position."
"My friend, Noël Essers, will be obviously with us and will enter the truck category. We are racing all the time on same events, then no question he could miss the event. Tavi Tielen, decided too, to be again part of the adventure. The whole team is very motivated and we look forward to enjoy the atmosphere of the rally and the magic of the African tracks. It is a very important meeting at the end of each year, a great time."
Loyal to the Africa Eco Race, Emmanuel Braga, the nice Nomade Racing Team Manager, confirms his entry on the 2012 edition with a beefed-up team. On two wheels, some of his riders are already familiar with the event, as Norbert Dubois or Willy Jobard (winner in 2011) but others will discover this African route.
Among them, Xavier Moreau, who recently finished on the podium of the Tunisia Rally (Enduro Cup) and Jean-Pierre Demay, who will ride for France Adot (association for organ donation).
This year, "Manu" will also enter ATVs, including Pascal Delesque on a Honda TRX 700. After Sardinia, Tunisia and Morocco, the Norman rider is eager to reach the Lac Rose. For "Manu", the Africa Eco Race was an opportunity last year to reconnect with the atmosphere of the great African rallies:
"It was a pleasure to rediscover the Mauritanian desert and Senegal's Baobabs. I missed these landscapes and since 2007, I did not have the opportunity to cross some of these areas. Believe me, Africa is still beautiful and fascinating! We experienced an amazing rally with a great atmosphere, not only in our team but with the whole caravan. Conviviality on bivouacs is real! The riders have really enjoyed their race. The route is diversified and well balanced in terms of difficulty."
"This year we will have a strong team on two wheels, both riders as mechanics. Moreover, we can still offer some places for assistance. The entry of Pascal, with a quad, gave me some ideas. I would love too to reach Dakar with my TRX 700. I still have a piece of budget to find but I’m dying to be part of this adventure! Rally raid and Africa are true passions."
Until 31st of July 2011 you can benefit from preferential rates on your entry. For more informations please visit the official website at [ www.africarace.com ].
2011/08/10 | 15:05 CET | ARTICLE: MR/SY/AER
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