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 | SA-Dakar Rally: Good and Bad for Wevers Mitsubishi, two Lancer in Top 10.
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Although the Dutch Mitsubishi Racing Lancer driver Bernhard ten Brinke and his French codriver Matthieu Baumel finished in a superb 5th place in the fast stage from Iquique to Arica, the members of the Dutch Mitsubishi Riwald Dakar Team were concerned.
That was caused by the sudden retirement of team mate Gert Huzink, who rolled his Mitsubishi Racing Lancer halfway through the stage. After the accident co-driver Eugénie Decré had a painful neck and back and she was taken to hospital by the medical helicopter for a full precautionary check.
After some handled them as favourites, the rebuilt former Mitsubishi factory-cars have their problems in the Dakar Rally 2012. Only three Lancers are still in the race - but two of them in the overall Top 10. Teamchef Erik Wevers ist placed 37th - four positions behind the Polish former ski-star Adam Malaysz with his Mitsubishi Pajero T1. Best "non-Lancer" Mitsubishi is the Ukrainian / French crew of Nesterchuk / Leichtleuchter in their L200 Strakar on 20th position.
And another trouble free day for the best Racing Lancer of Bernhard ten Brinke: "It went great, very fast and no single problem, even not a puncture" he said when he arrived early in the bivouac in Arica. "And once more thanks to my great co-driver Matthieu Baumel - he guides me throughout this rally in a big way!"
The superb 5th place in the special, behind the Hummer of Robby Gordon and ahead of some of the quick Mini’s, was a big achievement for the team: "This is fantastic, especially since we moved up to 8th in the overall ranking and now being the best placed Dutch driver again," said the debuting Ten Brinke. "But now we are concerned about our team mates Gert and Eugénie, who enjoyed the rally so much and who we would have loved to welcome again in the bivouac tonight."
But wednesday was sad for Gert Huzink and his French codriver Eugenie Decre. The Dakar Rally is over for them after a dramatic roll with the Mitsubishi Racing Lancer of the Riwald Dakar Team. In the early section of the special Gert had a small technical problem, which was fixed quickly. But than it went wrong when the car rolled. Gert was okay himself, but his Swiss/French co-driver Eugénie Decré - who was such an important factor within the team suffered from neck - and back pains.
2012/01/12 | 13:01 CET | ARTICLE: MR/SY/WEVERS/HS
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