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 | Pharaons Rally: Strong start for Team Dessoude and rolled Nissan Pathfinder.
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This 2011 edition of the Pharaons Rally is under the sign of difficulty. An intense and demanding race where the slightest error will be paid cash. For the Dessoude Team three crews, composed of Cinotto family (father and sons), the first leg between Cairo and Tibniya was already a bit of bravery. Although all the three Pathfinder managed to get out of the first trap, the start of the race was not so easy.
Yesterday, in the first part of the first leg, the Pathfinder No. 319 driven by Carlo Cinotto fell into a hole, due to a navigation mistake and broke the left front wheel. As the three crews were together, they all agreed to help to fix the car.
More than three hours were wasted on track. After reaching the 160th km, the 319 joined the bivouac without being out of the race but with strong penalties. The other two Pathfinders, Pietro and Michele, went to the end of the leg and crossed the finish line in the late evening.
After a long night to fix the cars, the whole team lined up at the start of the second stage. André Dessoude made a long briefing last night to educate the crews of the importance of navigation in this type of event, not always easy for rookies. Navigation is a key point during a stage.
During this second stage, a loop around Tibinya, the longest of the rally, the sand was largely present. After crossing CP1, Pietro Cinotto (N°320), rolled over, but managed to get the bivouac. The crew is not injured, but the Pathfinder is strongly damaged. Mechanics will have long hours of work.
Michele (the father) managed to finish the stage in pretty good position. Many competitors have been trapped today by so particular dunes in Egypt, the broken dunes. Carlo has only one wish reach the finish of the race next Saturday.
Tomorrow, the caravan of the Pharaons Rally will go South towards Sahl Baraka, near the oasis of Farafra. Another great 286 km leg in perspective for the competitors still racing.
2011/10/04 | 19:35 CET | ARTICLE: MR/SY/DESSOUDE
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