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 | Silk Way Rally: Sad conclusion for Team Dessoude but a great team spirit.
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Never count on victory until you've crossed the finish line... Team Dessoude experienced it sadly on Thursday, even if it has been leading the 2012 Silk Way for two days. Indeed, many adversities of fate have followed each other, wrecking any hope of victory for the duo Lavieille/Larroque on Proto-XI.
While the leader saw any chance of win disappear, Thierry Magnaldi, in third position at CP2 of this fifth stage and Frederic Chavigny in 13th place, demonstrated a great team spirit. They choose to sacrifice their result to help their teammate to cross the finish line.
At the end, Christian Lavieille is fifth overall, while Frederic Chavigny and Thierry Magnaldi finish respectively 17th and 38th. Disappointment is the main feeling for the team tonight, so close to a success. On this fourth edition of the Silk Way Rally, between joy and sadness, Team Dessoude can be satisfied of its performances showing also what a real « team » is ...
Due to the weather conditions, the last stage between Elista and Maykop was shortened to 348 km and the start given from the initial CP1, after 107 km of liaison.
Everything was ok this morning for the crew of the # 103 Proto XI, leading the race 12 minutes ahead Jérôme Pelichet. First surprise, Christian Lavieille’s direct opponent, broke his rear axle at km 160. But shortly after the first CP of this stage, the leader himself had to stop.
Indeed, 100 meters after the first passage control, the stand for the air conditioning compressor was broken and teared up the alternator belt . This was the beginning of a long road for the French driver, forced to stop several times to fix or change this famous belt. But to avoid to damage the engine, the pace was much slower.
After reaching CP 2, but with no longer any wild card, the battery was unable to charge anymore. On this last part of the stage, retirement was not so far. Then, the Proto XI was joined by his teammates who showed a great pace since the start.
Eighth at CP1 and third at CP2, after starting from the 29th position, Thierry Magnaldi "was flying" on that last stage. Ditto for Frederic Chavigny who started 48th and was 12th at first PC before being 13th at second.
Seeing the Proto XI in trouble, the other two red cars stopped close to it. The decision was made quickly: we have to help Christian and Pascal to cross the finish line! Forgetting their own result, Thierry Magnaldi and Frederic Chavigny helped him till the end. Thierry exchanged its battery with Christian’s to enable him to move forward while Frederic towed him. Thus, the three crews manage to cross the finish line of the last stage. A great team spirit!
The three vehicles entered in the race reached the finish. Christian Lavieille and Pascal Larroque are fifth in overall standings while Frederic Chavigny and Jean Brucy take 17th place and Thierry Magnaldi and Jean Paul Forthomme finish 38th.
Even if the classification is quite disappointing, the overview of this race is far from being negative. Facing great drivers, including Russians, used to drive in such particular conditions, Team Dessoude's vehicles have shown their efficiency.
The Proto XI was on the top of the competition every day and was quick to reveal to be the car to be beaten.
The problems of the Juke’s engine cutoff during second stage have been solved and the vehicle which appeared for the first time in its new configuration showed a great potential.
Some points are validated, such as suspension and engine and other improvements are needed, especially on the body and the location of the connectors. Many of the spare parts have been severely tested in extreme rain and mud during this race.
Same for the Atacama on which much work has been done since the last Dakar. Here too, improvements are planned after this huge test.
For these three cars, the main objective remains the Dakar 2013. Still a lot of work to do, but many questions have been already answered on the Silk Way 2012. Next event for Team Dessoude, the "Pharaons Rally" in Egypt from September 29 to October 6.
Overall results Silk Way Rally Cars after Stage 05
01) Gadasin/Shchemel (RUS) I G-Force-Proto I 20:03:42
02) Szalay/Bunkoczi (HU) I Opel Antara RR I +3:34m
03) Zapletal/Marton (CZ) I Hummer H3 Proto I +10:35m
04) Alvarez/Graue (ARG) I Toyota Hilux Pickup I +28:13m
05) Lavieille/Larroque (F) I Proto Dessoude 11 I +1:15:25h
06) Savenko/Maltsev (RUS) I Honda Acura Buggy I +2:00:09h
07) Kahle/Schünemann (D) I SAM 30D CC I +2:39:25h
08) Koepp/Sand (D) I Lennson CC I +4:08:49h
09) Vavrenuk/Kostenko (RUS) I UAZ Kargo I +4:08:50h
10) Frolov/Shubin (RUS) I Nissan Frontier I +4:38:05h
2012/07/13 | 14:09 CET | ARTICLE: MR/HS/DESSOUDE
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