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Pharaons Rally 2006 Special-Newssection
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This is the single-news section of the
marathonrally.com rally-live special of the Total Pharaons
Rally 2006. To see all news please use the link under the
article or navigate with the left main-navigation.
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Pharaons 2006: Dessoude´s Yvan Muller is a very quick learner.
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Another leg of the Pharaons Rally for Yvan Muller who set again the second-fastest time in Tuesday’s stage. This marked the end of Team Dessoude’s Egyptian test session, as Yvan will have to head back to Spain on Wednesday, for the next round of the FIA WTCC with the Oreca team. However, the last two days have been a valuable learning experience for both Team Dessoude and its latest recruit.
The special stage drawn up by Jacky Ickx between Baharija and Dakhla, 348 km long, including numerous changes of terrain. A perfect stage for Yvan Muller to continue his apprenticeship: "Today was a feast for the eyes, the scenery was quite simply extraordinary. We went through some magical places. On the first part of the stage, up to CP3, the route was quite technical, winding with lots of bumps. This sort of terrain really suits the vehicle, and we pulled out a lead of eight minutes. As I said yesterday, I am increasing my speed gradually, and today I set a slightly higher pace. Afterwards, there were plenty of straight sections. Our top speed is still slightly lacking, and our lead melted away. We crossed a desert with absolutely no features: Sand, sand and more sand. I must admit it was a rather strange feeling. We set the second-fastest time, and I am pleased with the work we have done over the past two days. It was very instructive. I have learnt a lot of things, and I’m now familiar with the road-book, the notes and the co-driver’s navigation. Without forgetting the limited speed zones, which are, I hear, a very sensitive subject on the Dakar Rally. I was also able to gauge the potential of the car, and the way I would like its development to continue. It was an excellent opportunity to do some on-the-job training, which will now continue in France, most notably at Château Lastours. It was my first cross-country rally, and I am delighted with the warm welcome I received. To my surprise, quite a few people came to welcome me. I liked the pleasant atmosphere between the competitors - it makes a nice
change."
André Dessoude was very pleased with this ‘major test session’ and was rather sad to see Yvan leave, as he could doubtlessly have aimed for a win on this event: "Today’s stage was very interesting. Over technical terrain like this, the car is very efficient, which Yvan proved today. But our top speed is not high enough, and we will work on this matter. We are very pleased with the suspension. Just two days to test everything is rather short, but despite everything it was very useful, both for Yvan and for the whole team. He still needs more time, but Yvan has learnt a lot in a short time. One of his strong points is his way of setting up the car. As soon as the vehicle gets back to France, we will do some testing in Château Lastours, in order to continue the work. The atmosphere in the team is fine, and everyone is fully implicated in the project, such as Arnaud Elizagaray, an ORECA engineer, who joined us in Egypt and who was delighted to return to this category which he knew well. This experience, although short, was extremely beneficial to everyone concerned."
Next stop France, for the next test session, in October or early November.
2006/10/05 | 17:08 CET | Editor: Pharaons Live Team/Dessoude
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