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 | SA-Dakar Rally: André Dessoude after rest-day "The calm before the storm".
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Saturday, all the Dessoude crews managed to reach the finish line of a special stage that will most probably remain as the most memorable of all those of the 2012 Dakar.
Frédéric Chavigny and Jean Brucy finished after dark, and quite naturally had some problems finding the right passageways between the dunes, where a number of competitors are still stuck. Sunday was a rest day, which was also used to service the cars before facing the second week, the most difficult of the 2012 Dakar.
The team from Normandy is satisfied, as all four crews are present. Frédéric Chavigny and Jean Brucy arrived, exhausted but very happy, during the night. They were classified 67th in the special stage and are now 65th overall, gaining 14 positions.
For the drivers and co-drivers, this was a rest day - but the same cannot be said for the mechanics. Teamchef André Dessoude was in charge of the operations.
"This is one of the most important days for the mechanics and engineers, who have to check up all aspects of the cars. Their tasks include dismantling and checking all the main parts on each car, including the clutch, engine, gear-box, drive-shaft etc. The aim is to get them in the best possible condition to face the second half of the rally" the French said.
The atmosphere in the team was relaxed but studious, due to the new road-books, which were supplied today by the organisers. This day was an also an opportunity for André Dessoude to go back over the reasons behind Christian Lavieille’s retirement.
"Saturday, the service crew in Copiapo finished their diagnostics on the reasons for the retirement, and we are, if anything, even sadder than before. Although the final diagnosis, namely the parameters of a sensor, was complex and impossible to reach in the given time, it did not take long at all to actually change this part."
Such a quick repair, as it turned out, that the team took advantage of this rest day to organise a test session on site and to confirm the car’s full potential.
2012/01/09 | 12:32 CET | ARTICLE: MR/SY/DESSOUDE
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