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VOLKSWAGEN WINS 2010 DAKAR

VW TOUAREGS TAKE THE DAKAR AGAIN
Carlos Sainz & Lucas Cruz, Volkswagen Race Touareg 2

Photo: courtesy audi-motorsport.info

courtesy dakar.com

VOLKSWAGEN DEFENDS DAKAR TITLE WITH ONE-TWO-THREE

TO 2010 DAKAR RALLY ENTRY LIST PAGE

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End of NOVEMBER 2009
Shipping of the vehicles from le Havre

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DECEMBER 30th and 31st 2009
Administrative & technical scrutineering in Buenos Aires

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DATE    START          FINISH        SPECIAL                           TOTAL
JAN 01  Buenos Aires   Colon                                           317 km
JAN 02  Colon          Cordoba       Bikes/Quads:   219 km             652 km
                                     Cars/Trucks:   251 km             684 km
JAN 03  Cordoba        La Rioja      Bikes/Quads:   294 km             626 km
                                     Cars/Trucks:   355 km             687 km
JAN 04  La Rioja       Fiambala                                        441 km
JAN 05  Fiambala       Copiaco                                         629 km
JAN 06  Copiapo        Antofagasta                                     670 km
JAN 07  Antofagasta    Iquique                                         598 km
JAN 08  Iquique        Antofagasta                                     641 km
JAN 09  ********  REST DAY  *************************************************
JAN 10  Antofagasta    Copiapo                                         568 km
JAN 11  Copiapo        La Serena                                       547 km
JAN 12  La Serena      Santiago                                        586 km
JAN 13  Santiago       San Juan                                        434 km
JAN 14  San Juan       San Rafael                                      796 km
JAN 15  San Rafael     Santa Rosa                                      725 km
JAN 16  Santa Rosa     Buenos Aires                                    707 km

TOTAL                                      Bikes/Quads:              8,937 km

                                           Cars/Trucks:              9,030 km

JANUARY 17th 2010
Podium finish in Buenos Aires

Volkwagen will enter 3 factory teams in the 2010 Dakar.

    BIKES
POS  NO   NAME                      MAKE         TIME        LAG         PENALTY 
 1   002  DESPRES (FRA)             KTM          51:10:37
 2   004  ULLEVALSETER (NOR)        KTM          52:13:29    01:02:52
 3   009  LOPEZ CONTARDO (CHL)      APRILIA      52:20:25    01:09:48
 4   005  RODRIGUES (PRT)           YAMAHA       52:30:10    01:19:33
 5   012  FRETIGNE (FRA)            YAMAHA       53:06:33    01:55:56
 6   014  DUCLOS (FRA)              KTM          53:09:12    01:58:35
 7   024  STREET (USA)              KTM          54:00:20    02:49:43      02:00
 8   011  PRZYGONSKI (POL)          KTM          54:26:36    03:15:59
 9   016  PAIN (FRA)                YAMAHA       54:38:57    03:28:20
10   034  PEDRERO GARCIA (ESP)      KTM          54:44:25    03:33:48      02:00
11   019  FARIA (PRT)               KTM          55:46:57    04:36:20
12   023  BERGLUND (SWE)            KTM          55:53:37    04:43:00      05:00
13   128  SVITKO (SVK)              KTM          56:49:11    05:38:34
14   035  CECI (ITA)                APRILIA      57:40:17    06:29:40
15   001  COMA (ESP)                KTM          57:43:23    06:32:46   06:22:00
16   018  CZACHOR (POL)             KTM          58:09:17    06:58:40
17   007  KNUIMAN (NLD)             KTM          59:49:57    08:39:20      30:00
18   043  ZANOTTI (SMR)             APRILIA      60:18:03    09:07:26      30:00
19   156  VERHOESTRAETE (COG)       KTM          60:29:22    09:18:45      04:00
20   041  PROHENS (CHL)             HONDA        60:36:11    09:25:34
21   066  LORMAND (FRA)             YAMAHA       61:49:22    10:38:45      05:00
22   129  JAMETT (CHL)              YAMAHA       62:37:08    11:26:31      10:00
23   049  PICCO (ITA)               YAMAHA       62:47:53    11:37:16      27:00
24   048  LIEFHEBBER (NLD)          KTM          62:56:09    11:45:32      15:00
25   064  ROBIN (FRA)               KTM          63:03:23    11:52:46      01:00
26   062  PABISKA (CZE)             YAMAHA       63:30:40    12:20:03
27   022  JARMUZ (POL)              HONDA        63:34:49    12:24:12
28   020  PISANO (FRA)              SHERCO       63:50:40    12:40:03      01:00
29   025  MATTHEIS (BRA)            KTM          64:03:16    12:52:39
30   029  BIANCHI PRATA (PRT)       BMW          64:30:38    13:20:01      02:00
31   116  BOLLERO (ARG)             KTM          64:37:52    13:27:15
32   033  LAZARD (URY)              KTM          64:44:39    13:34:02
33   039  DABROWSKI (POL)           KTM          65:04:53    13:54:16
34   040  PROHENS (CHL)             HONDA        65:10:36    13:59:59      17:00
35   032  PUERTAS HERRERA (ESP)     KTM          65:29:32    14:18:55      02:00
36   063  AMBROSIO (BRA)            HONDA        65:40:48    14:30:11   01:07:00
37   118  KREJCI (CZE)              YAMAHA       66:18:30    15:07:53      44:00
38   122  POLLARD (AUS)             KTM          66:35:26    15:24:49   01:23:00
39   110  FREINADEMETZ (ROU)        KTM          66:57:41    15:47:04
40   026  BOINNARD (USA)            KTM          67:37:45    16:27:08      01:00
41   106  DE GROOT (NLD)            YAMAHA       67:49:21    16:38:44      02:00
42   085  SOLER (ESP)               BMW          68:46:01    17:35:24      12:00
43   161  CLAUDIO (CHL)             HUSQUARNA    69:34:29    18:23:52   01:11:00
44   087  VRUGGINK (NLD)            HONDA        69:34:44    18:24:07      01:00
45   076  SEEL (SWE)                KTM          69:55:40    18:45:03      10:00
46   072  SNIJDERS (NLD)            HONDA        70:25:14    19:14:37
47   101  GELEBART (FRA)            KTM          70:35:32    19:24:55      01:00
48   030  CARILLON (FRA)            KTM          71:03:01    19:52:24   01:05:00
49   055  MERKIT (TUR)              KTM          71:28:44    20:18:07
50   081  BUSIN (ARG)               HONDA        71:42:12    20:31:35
51   155  VALLE (MEX)               HONDA        72:04:47    20:54:10   05:07:00
52   125  PENATE MUNOZ (ESP)        KTM          73:02:39    21:52:02      01:00
53   107  PEILLON (GAB)             KTM          73:13:32    22:02:55   05:09:00
54   067  RANDYSEK (CZE)            YAMAHA       74:33:03    23:22:26      01:00
55   153  TRAHAN (CAN)              HONDA        74:34:54    23:24:17   01:03:00
56   121  BARRIERE VARJU (AUS)      KTM          74:51:50    23:41:13
57   099  MENARD (FRA)              YAMAHA       74:55:55    23:45:18      05:00
58   102  GELEBART (FRA)            KTM          75:53:29    24:42:52
59   051  SAGHMEISTER (SRB)         KTM          77:58:24    26:47:47   02:06:00
60   160  QUIROGA (ARG)             YAMAHA       78:25:01    27:14:24   02:17:00
61   046  MAZET (FRA)               KTM          78:53:19    27:42:42      48:00
62   157  VESELY (DEU)              YAMAHA       78:57:46    27:47:09      29:00
63   038  VILLARRUBIA (ESP)         YAMAHA       80:12:22    29:01:45   06:02:00
64   103  PRISER (FRA)              KTM          80:43:44    29:33:07      17:00
65   142  CAVELIUS (FRA)            KTM          81:36:35    30:25:58      53:00
66   065  MORO (FRA)                YAMAHA       81:54:49    30:44:12   07:01:00
67   093  GIANNETTI (ITA)           KTM          82:31:06    31:20:29      01:00
68   094  MUGNAIOLI (ITA)           KTM          82:31:49    31:21:12      02:00
69   086  PALANTE (BEL)             HONDA        85:21:06    34:10:29   04:01:00
70   070  ALAN (ARG)                KTM          87:59:59    36:49:22   03:00:00
71   138  COLA (ARG)                KTM          91:45:49    40:35:12      05:00
72   141  CARLYLE (GBR)             KTM          92:29:45    41:19:08   01:00:00
73   111  PLANSON (FRA)             KTM          93:17:59    42:07:22   04:00:00
74   075  GUTIERREZ (ESP)           KTM          97:03:32    45:52:55   04:01:00
75   151  SU (CHN)                  JINCHENG     97:17:03    46:06:26   13:07:00
76   113  DE BENEDICTIS NETO (BRA)  HONDA        98:47:58    47:37:21   06:00:00
77   095  KRABBENBORG (NLD)         HONDA        99:44:34    48:33:57   12:02:00
78   091  RESSING (NLD)             HONDA        99:58:55    48:48:18   10:01:00
79   158  AMENGUAL (ARG)            YAMAHA      100:12:58    49:02:21   07:32:00
80   092  GARCIA VITORIA (ESP)      KTM         100:29:19    49:18:42   08:26:00
81   139  BOTTAZZINI (ARG)          HONDA       101:35:51    50:25:14   04:07:00
82   152  WEI (CHN)                 JINCHENG    103:41:45    52:31:08   05:08:00
83   104  NOONE (IRL)               KTM         103:48:13    52:37:36   13:12:00
84   097  DELAUNAY (FRA)            HONDA       104:09:08    52:58:31   12:22:00
85   100  MEIER (DEU)               YAMAHA      105:42:00    54:31:23   20:00:00
86   144  PASCUAL (ARG)             KTM         106:03:36    54:52:59   07:15:00
87   131  JONES (GBR)               YAMAHA      109:57:46    58:47:09   11:05:00
88   120  CALIFANO (FRA)            KTM         131:45:09    80:34:32   45:00:00
 
    QUADS
POS  NO   NAME                      MAKE         TIME        LAG         PENALTY
 1   251  PATRONELLI (ARG)          YAMAHA       64:17:44
 2   277  PATRONELLI (ARG)          YAMAHA       66:40:43    02:22:59      05:00
 3   256  GONZALEZ COROMINAS (ESP)  YAMAHA       69:25:15    05:07:31      03:00
 4   258  DECLERCK (FRA)            POLARIS      70:04:40    05:46:56
 5   252  SONIK (POL)               YAMAHA       70:08:08    05:50:24   01:08:00
 6   255  HALPERN (ARG)             YAMAHA       73:25:15    09:07:31   03:00:00
 7   254  BRAZINA (CZE)             POLARIS      80:51:25    16:33:41   04:00:00
 8   264  AUERT (FRA)               CAN-AM       81:10:00    16:52:16   01:53:00
 9   260  GRAUE (ARG)               CAN-AM       81:55:04    17:37:20      06:00
10   267  MAZZUCCO (ARG)            CAN-AM       89:36:23    25:18:39      03:00
11   276  PIGNET (FRA)              CAN-AM       92:05:20    27:47:36      02:00
12   273  HANSEN (ARG)              POLARIS      98:06:44    33:49:00   06:10:00
13   259  LIPAROTI (ITA)            KTM         100:13:08    35:55:24   08:00:00
14   271  ESTANGUET (ARG)           CAN-AM      103:49:51    39:32:07   07:06:00

     CARS
POS  NO   NAME                      MAKE         TIME        LAG         PENALTY
 1   303  SAINZ (ESP)
          CRUZ (ESP)                VOLKSWAGEN   47:10:00
 2   306  AL-ATTIYAH (QAT)
          GOTTSCHALK (DEU)          VOLKSWAGEN   47:12:12    00:02:12
 3   305  MILLER (USA)
          PITCHFORD (ZAF)           VOLKSWAGEN   47:42:51    00:32:51
 4   301  PETERHANSEL (FRA)
          COTTRET (FRA)             BMW          49:27:21    02:17:21
 5   307  CHICHERIT (FRA)
          THOERNER (CHE)            BMW          51:12:49    04:02:49
 6   314  SOUSA (PRT)
          BAUMEL (FRA)              MITSUBISHI   51:41:45    04:31:45
 7   300  DE VILLIERS (ZAF)
          VON ZITZEWITZ (DEU)       VOLKSWAGEN   52:20:19    05:10:19
 8   302  GORDON (USA)
          GRIDER (USA)              HUMMER       53:12:24    06:02:24
 9   311  TERRANOVA (ARG)
          MAIMON (FRA)              MITSUBISHI   53:14:47    06:04:47
10   322  SPINELLI (BRA)
          PALMEIRO (PRT)            MITSUBISHI   53:23:41    06:13:41
11   310  NOVITSKIY (RUS)
          SCHULZ (DEU)              BMW          53:48:35    06:38:35
12   332  BARBOSA (PRT)
          RAMALHO (PRT)             MITSUBISHI   54:31:23    07:21:23      01:00
13   318  MISSLIN (FRA)
          POLATO (FRA)              MITSUBISHI   56:06:41    08:56:41
14   336  LEAL DOS SANTOS (PRT)
          FIUZA (PRT)               BMW          56:47:21    09:37:21
15   317  VAN DEIJNE (NLD)
          ROSEGAAR (NLD)            MITSUBISHI   61:01:48    13:51:48
16   323  ERRANDONEA (AND)
          GARCIN (FRA)              SMG          62:25:12    15:15:12
17   341  MITSUHASHI (JPN)
          CATTARELLI (FRA)          TOYOTA       64:49:58    17:39:58
18   315  KAHLE (DEU)
          SCHUENEMANN (DEU)         Fast-Speed   66:36:37    19:26:37
19   330  SIREYJOL (FRA)
          WISSMANNS (FRA)           BOWLER       68:06:45    20:56:45
20   351  BALDWIN (USA)
          WALCH (USA)               HUMMER       68:27:00    21:17:00      01:00
21   325  HENRARD (BEL)
          BEGUIN (BEL)              VOLKSWAGEN   68:49:41    21:39:41   04:00:00
22   327  SOLOVYEV (RUS)
          ZHILTSOV (RUS)            SMG          70:12:47    23:02:47
23   339  FOJ (ESP)
          JATON (ARG)               TOYOTA       71:27:25    24:17:25
24   377  FAVRE (FRA)
          FAVRE (FRA)               TOYOTA       73:52:49    26:42:49
25   370  FROMONT (FRA)
          REYNAUD (FRA)             BOWLER       77:05:02    29:55:02
26   353  SCHOTT (DEU)
          SCHMIDT (DEU)             MITSUBISHI   77:20:34    30:10:34   04:20:00
27   321  DE AZEVEDO (BRA)
          CAVASSIN (BRA)            MITSUBISHI   77:35:30    30:25:30   07:00:00
28   382  LU (CHN)
          DI PERSIO (ITA)           CHERY        78:16:47    31:06:47   02:00:00
29   383  JIANG (CHN)
          BARTHOLOME (BEL)          CHERY        78:59:13    31:49:13   04:02:00
30   359  CHAVIGNY (FRA)
          BRUCY (FRA)               NISSAN       79:14:16    32:04:16      01:00
31   342  STRUGO (FRA)
          FERRI (FRA)               NISSAN       81:11:17    34:01:17   04:00:00
32   365  VAN DER BEEK (NLD)
          HOOGENDIJK (NLD)          KIA          81:34:46    34:24:46      02:00
33   389  ZHOU (CHN)                Great Wall-
          PONCET (FRA)              Hover        82:44:12    35:34:12   08:00:00
34   364  TURON-BARRERE (FRA)
          FENESTRAZ (FRA)           BUGGY        83:38:23    36:28:23   03:00:00
35   356  SZUSTKOWSKI (POL)
          KAZBERUK (POL)            MITSUBISHI   84:47:29    37:37:29
36   402  YACOPINI (ARG)
          MARCO (ARG)               TOYOTA       85:23:53    38:13:53   02:00:00
37   410  BASSO (FRA)
          BASSO (FRA)               TOYOTA       86:54:58    39:44:58   04:02:00
38   379  POTTIER (FRA)
          GOSSELIN (FRA)            BUGGY MD     88:21:12    41:11:12   04:00:00
39   391  MORIN (FRA)
          BARBET (FRA)              BOWLER       89:10:08    42:00:08   07:00:00
40   357  SMULEVICI (FRA)           Eurorepar-
          MARTINEZ (FRA)            SMG          94:41:26    47:31:26   04:00:00
41   373  JANECEK (CZE)
          CHYTKA (CZE)              TOYOTA       95:06:25    47:56:25   07:00:00
42   415  VAUTIER (FRA)             TOYOTA
          MOGNIER (FRA)             LAND CRUISER 95:27:17    48:17:17   04:01:00
43   396  ROUND (SVK)               Desert-
          BOOIJ (NLD)               Warrior     103:13:31    56:03:31   08:00:00
44   349  LATRACH (CHL)
          LATRACH (CHL)             TOYOTA      106:51:56    59:41:56   12:00:00
45   438  ZHU (CHN) 
          HE (CHN)                  TOYOTA      108:30:07    61:20:07   08:04:00
46   337  VAN LOON (NLD)
          VERHOEF (NLD)             MITSUBISHI  111:05:34    63:55:34   28:02:00
47   435  FERRAND MALATESTA (PER)
          FERRAND DEL BUSTO (PER)   TOYOTA      111:29:27    64:19:27   08:12:00
48   393  GONZALEZ (ARG)
          RUDI (ARG)                TOYOTA      112:29:21    65:19:21   13:01:00
49   347  CORONEL (NLD)             MC RAE      115:13:34    68:03:34   15:04:00
50   398  LURTON (FRA)
          MARTINEAU (FRA)           BUGGY       115:57:47    68:47:47   11:05:00
51   430  MURANO (ARG)              TOYOTA      123:41:48    76:31:48   15:00:00
52   424  SERINET (FRA)
          COUILLET (FRA)            BOWLER      130:18:47    83:08:47   36:01:00
53   369  LEYDS (NLD)               MC RAE      153:16:15   106:06:15   39:00:00
54   427  GIRARD (FRA)
          SCHURGER (FRA)            TOYOTA      165:02:08   117:52:08   51:00:00
55   433  LEON (CHL)
          LEON (CHL)                TOYOTA      191:51:24   144:41:24   94:05:00
56   423  RUBINETTI (ARG)
          WALTER (ARG)              TOYOTA      207:45:07   160:35:07   85:52:00
          
    TRUCKS
POS  NO   NAME                      MAKE         TIME        LAG         PENALTY    
 1   501  CHAGIN (RUS)
          SAVOSTIN (RUS)
          NIKOLAEV (RUS)            KAMAZ        55:04:47
 2   500  KABIROV (RUS)
          BELYAEV (RUS)
          MOKEEV (RUS)              KAMAZ        56:17:55    01:13:08
 3   508  VAN VLIET (NLD)
          VAANHOLT (NLD)
          VAN VEENENDAAL (NLD)      GINAF        65:48:07    10:43:20
 4   506  MACIK (CZE)
          KALINA (CZE)
          BERVIC (CZE)              LIAZ         67:26:08    12:21:21
 5   505  MARDEEV (RUS)
          MIZYUKAEV (RUS)
          KARGINOV (RUS)            KAMAZ        70:04:16    14:59:29   05:00:00
 6   503  VAN GINKEL (NLD)
          DE ROOIJ (NLD)
          TIJSTERMAN (NLD)          GINAF        70:34:03    15:29:16
 7   514  SUGAWARA (JPN)
          SUZUKI (JPN)              HINO         72:34:24    17:29:37      02:00
 8   523  OLIVERAS (AND)
          CAMARA ORDONEZ (ESP)
          CAMARA (ESP)              MERCEDES     78:43:53    23:39:06      03:00
 9   511  JUVANTENY (ESP)
          CRIADO (ESP)
          ROMAN (ESP)               MAN          79:20:14    24:15:27
10   518  CLAUDIO (ITA)
          PAOLO (ITA)
          GIULIO (ITA)              GINAF        81:51:59    26:47:12   04:02:00
11   517  BORRERO GOMEZ (ESP)
          CAAMANO (ESP)
          BORRERO (ESP)             MAN          85:21:29    30:16:42   03:01:00
12   544  VAN PELT (NLD)
          BEEFTINK (NLD)
          STAM (NLD)                MERCEDES     89:57:53    34:53:06   04:00:00
13   526  DE LEEUW (BEL)
          VAN OBBERGEN (BEL)
          GOLDBERG (DEU)            MAN          94:46:04    39:41:17   01:00:00
14   521  VERBIST (BEL)
          DAMEN (BEL)
          LAUKAMP (DEU)             MAN          95:48:49    40:44:02   02:00:00
15   543  VERHEYDEN (BEL)
          VAN DEN BOSCH (NLD)
          TIMMERMANS (NLD)          DAF          97:13:41    42:08:54   04:00:00
16   529  BESNARD (FRA)
          LICHTLEUCHTER (FRA)
          WISMAN (FRA)              MERCEDES     97:54:40    42:49:53   06:00:00
17   525  VAN GINKEL (NLD)
          BRUINSMA (NLD)
          VOGELAAR (NLD)            GINAF       109:58:46    54:53:59   12:00:00
18   534  GONZALEZ (FRA)
          GIMBRE (FRA)
          BOUEY (FRA)               MAN         112:13:12    57:08:25   06:00:00
19   547  ASURMENDI (ESP)
          HERRERO (ESP)             MAN         113:23:52    58:19:05   11:00:00
20   538  BARAN (POL)
          MARTON (POL)
          ZBOROWSKI (POL)           MAN         127:25:09    72:20:22   26:00:00
21   552  OFFRINGA (NLD)            Mercedes-
          HANSE (NLD)               Benz        128:52:12    73:47:25   11:02:00
22   536  SAUMET (FRA)
          SAUMET (FRA)              MERCEDES    139:16:10    84:11:23   18:00:00
23   530  KUEHN (DEU)
          VETISKA (AUT)
          MOREIRAS (PRT)            MAN         139:45:34    84:40:47   04:00:00
24   541  PIANA (FRA)
          TROESCH (FRA)
          MULTINU (FRA)             MERCEDES    146:58:48    91:54:01   16:00:00
25   537  VAN LANKVELD (NLD)
          VAN DE SANDE (NLD)
          SCHOONES (NLD)            DAF         177:59:37   122:54:50   66:00:00
26   551  CASALE (CHL)
          VIAL (CHL)
          CASALE (CHL)              ATAKAMA     210:18:00   155:13:13   35:00:00
27   550  FASKO (SVK)
          CALORI (CHE)
          JONES (GBR)               MAN         219:09:25   164:04:38   61:00:00
28   524  BOUCOU (FRA)
          DE CAMPOS MARTINS (FRA)
          PATURAUD (FRA)            RENAULT     228:39:38   173:34:51   25:00:00
   

After the requisite drive across the starting ramp, the route took the Race vehicles to Colon where the first special stage in open terrain will start on Saturday.

After this liaison leg to the first bivouac on the outskirts of Buenos Aires on New Year's Day the competition of the Dakar Rally will start the following day with the first, 251-kilometre special stage from Colon to Cordoba. On Saturday a total of 684 kilometres, including liaison stages, are on the agenda.

The Dakar Rally starts to the 2010 edition with a 251 kilometre special stage. Yet the first leg covering a total of 684 kilometres is anything but an easy warm up: The Sierras Pampeanas put the material to the test with the route's initial mountain passages. The drivers and co drivers are well advised to find their rhythm from the outset in order to establish good positions for the days ahead.

Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (E/E) reached the day's finish in the best Volkswagen Race Touareg with a 2.07-minute gap in second place behind their Spanish compatriot Nani Roma in the X-raid BMW. The next Race Touareg followed in fourth place: Nasser Al-Attiyah/Timo Gottschalk (Q/D) were 3.29 minutes behind the front runners, followed by last year's winners Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (ZA/D) with a 4.31-minute gap in fifth place. Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/ZA) came eighth. The fifth Race Touareg, piloted by Maurício Neves/Clecio Maestrelli (BR/BR), completed the Volkswagen team performance in position ten.

On a sad note, the race's first day was overshadowed by a tragic accident in which several spectators were injured when two contestants lost control of their vehicle. One woman was taken to the hospital in a "critical" condition. "Competitor number 418 (Schultis-Leardi) collided with a group of spectators at the 75km mark of the special stage outside the public zone. Several people were injured, one of whom is in a critical condition. Local medical services as well as helicopters have evacuated the injured." stated the Dakar organisation.

Our deepest sympathies to Sonia Natalia Gallardo's family and friends. The 28 year old suffered serious head, pelvic and stomach injuries in the incident. She died in a Cordoba hospital while four others were hurt.

The Dakar is known as the worlds most dangerous race. Over 50 people are believed to have been killed in the gruelling race since its 1st race in 1978 - 1979.

JANUARY 4, 2010 - La Rioja (RA)-Fiambala (RA)

The special stage between La Rioja and Fiambala was the pinnacle of the past 2009 Dakar Rally in the opposite direction. The Sierras Pampeanas, sand galore and the famous towering white dunes provide the terrain to be mastered on the third day of the competition. But in view of many tricky forks in the roads the stage demands both highly accomplished driving and navigational skills.

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DESPRES STEALS THE LIMELIGHT, 'PETER' RAISES THE STAKES

The third stage, marked by mechanical problems for Coma and Fretigne, as well as the withdrawal of Viladoms, was won by Cyril Despres, new leader in the general standings. He now boasts a lead of 10'03'' over David Casteu. In the car category, Stephane Peterhansel picked up his 52nd special stage victory on the Dakar and his 19th on four wheels. In the truck race, Vladimir Chagin won his third consecutive stage, picking up the 50th triumph of his career.

JANUARY 5, 2010 - Fiambala (RA) - Copiapo (RCH)

Since a great number of competitors will not have returned to the bivouac by night fall Jan 4th, and having to face the passage of the Andes Cordillera, the rally organization has decided to delay the start of the Jan 5 stage from 4:00 to 5:30 and set the finish of the stage 4 special at CP3, reducing it of its last 40 kilometers.

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ROBBY GORDON WINS 1ST SCRATCH VICTORY

Pending validation by the race marshalls, American driver Robby Gordon (Hummer) wins his 1st scratch victory on this 2010 edition of the Dakar, his third victory in total in the rally raid. With a time of 1h40'21, the NASCAR driver arrived a tiny second ahead of French driver Stephane Peterhansel (BMW) and 2'26 ahead of Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW).

In the overall stadings it is nevertheless "Peter" who gets the day's big win as the driver from Vesoul now has a 7'36 lead over his most serious rival Spain's Carlos Sainz (VW), and a 9'56 lead over Qatari driver Al-Attiyah. Of course, in the Open category, Gordon gets his fourth consecutive stage victory on this 32nd edition.

JANUARY 6, 2010 - 5th leg, Copiapo (RCH) - Antofagasta (RCH)

The first day of an extremely tough desert four-pack will start with a 483 kilometre special stage - the second longest one of the first "Dakar" week. Drivers and technical crews should be prepared for many sandy passages with dune crossings at high altitudes. But the Atacama desert also offers gravel and scree passages to challenge drivers and co drivers.

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VOLKSWAGON TRIO BACK IN FRONT

Volkswagen took the lead on the so far longest and toughest special stage of the Dakar Rally: As many as three Race Touareg vehicles are setting the pace at the front of the field after five days, both in the stage and overall classifications.

Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (E/E) are leading the cross country classic with an advantage of 4m 37s. Runners up are their team mates Nasser Al-Attiyah/Timo Gottschalk (Q/D), followed with a gap of 9m 39s by Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/ZA) who celebrated their first ever stage win at the Dakar Rally. Consequently, the first five days of the closely fought rally through Argentina and Chile have seen five different winners.

The X raid BMW team with Stephane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (F/F) that had been ranking in first place so far lost well over an hour's time in the Atacama desert. Now, the Americans Robby Gordon/Andy Grider in the Hummer are the Volkswagen trio's immediate rivals in the overall standings.

JANUARY 7, 2010 - Stage 6, Antofagasta (RCH) - Iquique (RCH)

The "Dakar" retains its typical South American character on the sixth day too: On the way from Antofagasta to Iquique dune passages will again alternate with ground covered with stones and gravel. Not only the drivers have to prove their versatility, though. For the navigators the share of off road navigation, and thus driving in the compass direction, will increase in the north of Chile.

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Volkswagen continues leading the 2010 Dakar Rally after the sixth of 14 stages with three Race Touareg cars.

Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz (E/E), who had taken the lead the day before, extended their advantage in the Race Touareg from 4m 37s to 15m 24s. Their team mates Nasser Al-Attiyah/Timo Gottschalk (Q/D) continue ranking as the overall runners up ahead of Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/ZA) in another Race Touareg.

Almost up to the finish of the 418 kilometre stage from Antofagasta to Iquique in Chile's Atacama desert it looked as though Miller/Pitchford had taken second place overall. However, on the final 25 kilometres their temporary advantage in the overall standings of 3m 19s over Al-Attiyah changed to a gap of 2m 23s behind Al-Attiyah.

The sixth "Dakar" leg between Antofagasta and Iquique was marked by constantly changing terrain. Besides vast expanses the day featured winding passages across gravel as well. The leg ended with a spectacular downhill finish to the rally bivouac from a dune situated in front of the coast at which the participants ran 600 metres downhill within just a few seconds at speeds of up to 180 km/h.

JANUARY 8, 2010 - Stage 7, Iquique (RCH) - Antofagasta (RCH)

Before the rest day, the organisers of the Dakar Rally, the A.S.O. (Amaury Sport Organisation), have scheduled a veritable marathon. The way through the Atacama desert back to Antofagasta includes a 600 kilometre special stage and is thus the longest timed section of the 2010 "Dakar". Before the participants have earned a one-day break from the rally they will yet again be taken to their physical limits.

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After seven of the 14 legs of the 2010 Dakar Rally Volkswagen maintains a commanding advantage. Three Race Touareg cars with TDI power are running in front in the overall standings before the rest day. Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (E/E) are leading the world's toughest rally with 11m 03s ahead of their team mates Nasser Al-Attiyah/Timo Gottschalk (Q/D) and 22m 06s in front of Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/ZA).

After seven of the 14 legs of the 2010 Dakar Rally Volkswagen maintains a commanding advantage.

Three Race Touareg cars with TDI power are running in front in the overall standings before the rest day. Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (E/E) are leading the world's toughest rally with 11m 03s ahead of their team mates Nasser Al-Attiyah/Timo Gottschalk (Q/D) and 22m 06s in front of Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/ZA).

JANUARY 9, 2010 - Antofagasta (RCH) - REST DAY

Rest day, Antofagasta (RCH). On the eighth day of the Dakar Rally the rally vehicles will stop: Still, the rest day of the world's toughest rally will provide a respite - if any - only for the drivers and co-drivers. The mechanics will perform extensive service to the vehicles in Antofagasta including in-depth checks down to the smallest detail and cleaning work. The drivers on the other hand will be in the lim light of the media's high interest in the event.

JANUARY 10, 2010 - Stage 8, Antofagasta (RCH)-Copiapo (RCH)

An easy restart after the break? Not by a long shot because the "Dakar" organisers have scheduled the second-longest - 472-kilometre - special of the second rally week for the leg following the rest day. Again, a mix of sand, gravel and firm clay soil and constant changes between different types of terrain will be in store for the participants.

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The eighth "Dakar" day was dominated by a near 400 kilometre long, extremely stony section. Large boulders and trial like passages made this part of the 472 kilometre long special stage into a real challenge for suspension and tires. Constant changes of rhythm demanded permanent concentration from the drivers and navigators. A dune section of soft sand ended the stage between Antofagasta and Copiapo.

The rally professionals staged and open head to head battle throughout the 472 kilometre long and extremely tough stage through Chile. The official time keeping recorded no less than four changes to the lead. To start, the X-raid BMW drivers Guerlain Chicherit (F) and Stephane Peterhansel (F) exchanged places up until the mid-point of the stage before Mark Miller assumed the lead for Volkswagen. Then last year's winners Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (ZA/D) took control of proceedings in the fourth Race Touareg before they were caught by Peterhansel just short of the finish line after suffering their second puncture. Peterhansel, who also complained of a tyre failure, nevertheless moved up to fourth place overall as closest rival to the Volkswagen trio almost two hours behind. After suffering two punctures each Sainz, Miller, de Villiers and Al-Attiyah took second to fifth on the day separated by 3 minutes 32 seconds.

Nasser Al-Attiyah/Timo Gottschalk (Q/D), Volkswagen Race Touareg 2, leg 8, 10 January 2010
courtesy audi-motorsport.info

JANUARY 11, 2010 - Stage 9, Copiapo (RCH) - La Serena (RCH)

On the one hand hard, stony, off road sections and, on the other, fast sections over gravel - the stage between Copiapo and the seaside resort makes the same demands of men and machine. On the ninth stage of the "Dakar" the navigators are in demand: Innumerable junctions in canyons must be taken correctly so as not to lose any time.

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Alerted by the presence over the last few days of significant amounts of fog during the morning at Copiapo, the organisers have announced that they will be postponing the start times for the 9th special stage (11.00, instead of 7.15) and will shorten the route in order to avoid stragglers arriving too late at the bivouac in La Serena.

The ninth "Dakar" day saw the competitors finally leave the Atacama Desert behind them. Beforehand, however, it was a case of overcoming dune belts and deep, soft sand. The key to success was the drivers' ability to read the steeply falling dunes scattered with camel grass vegetation so as not to get bogged down on the opposite side and lose time as a result.

JANUARY 12, 2010 - Stage 10, La Serena (RCH) - Santiago (RCH)

Narrow, passage like mountain tracks dominate the picture of the tenth "Dakar" stage 2010. The fitness of the drivers can be particularly critical on this section: Numerous heavy braking manoeuvres and tight corners require plenty of movement in the cockpit. Also, the drivers must be prepared for permanently changing terrain. Drivers with experience of traditional rallying will be particularly at home on this stage.

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The former Rally World Champion Sainz was completely in his element along the small mountain passes from La Serena to Santiago. Stony tracks, tight corners and many braking manoeuvres - the demands were rather more reminiscent of a rally world championship than a desert rally. Nevertheless his task was anything but routine: Sainz won the desert classic's tenth stage in the Race Touareg with a 28 second margin over Stephane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (F/F) in an X-raid BMW.

It was his sixteenth stage victory in a Dakar Rally, which he contests for Volkswagen since 2006. Another rival in the fight for victory on the day was Volkswagen team mate Mark Miller who even led after having completed 148 of the 238 total kilometres. The American finished third on the day ahead of team mate Nasser Al-Attiyah.

JANUARY 13, 2010 - Stage 11, Santiago (RCH) - San Juan (RA)

In view of the impressive landscape the second Andes crossing requires the undivided attention of both driver and codriver. Even more, however, the terrain requires attention. In addition to gravel sections, passages with soft, powder like sand are on the agenda during the journey across the border to Argentina. This special subsoil is known by a unique name by the locals: "Guadal".

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On a good note.....

#31 Bike competitor Luca Manca has awoken. He is conscious and breathes without assistance. He reacts totally normally to stimulations. He can't yet express himself due to the tubing he was subjected to, but answers by gesture to the questions he's asked. He also immediately recognized his father who came to stay at his side.

Manca, 29, suffered head injuries when he fell from his bike last Thursday in northern Chile. He was airlifted on Friday to Mutual de Seguridad hospital in Santiago.

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The eleventh Dakar Rally day was dominated by tight gravel sections, made great demands of both man and machine through river crossings and formed a challenge for the brakes with a long downhill section at the end of the stage. On the numerous rocky and stony sections the drivers aimed to avoid getting punctures.

JANUARY 14, 2010 - Stage 12, San Juan (RA) - San Rafael (RA)

The journey through the Argentinean provinces San Juan and San Rafael is the longest of the entire rally. 796 kilometres in one day - of these 476 against the clock - ensure that the "Dakar" day will be long and tiring. It is not only the quantity of stage kilometres that are top the quality is as well. On the days eleven to fourteen a total of almost 400 kilometres are on the agenda with sandy subsoil - about half of all the stage kilometres.

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Volkswagen provided an impressive example of the power and performance of its TDI technology on the twelfth and longest Dakar Rally stage.

Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (E/E) as well as Nasser Al-Attiyah/Timo Gottschalk (Q/D) dominated the two part twelfth stage, with a total of 476 kilometres run against the clock, from their team mates Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/ZA). All three Race Touareg were more than ten minutes faster than their closest rivals in the process and continue to hold a commanding lead in the overall standings.

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At 476 kilometres the twelfth stage contained the longest section run against the clock in the rally. However, 130 kilometres of the route were neutralised as planned. The reason: To bypass a nature reserve via a tarmac road. An ad hoc action by the organisers confirmed just how great the locals' enthusiasm is for the rally: In the afternoon such a large hoard of fans from nearby Mendoza stormed to the finish that the organisers had to move the finish 6,000 metres to the 470th route kilometre in order to sufficiently enlarge the spectator zones.

JANUARY 15, 2010 - Stage 13, San Rafael (RA) - Santa Rosa (RA)

Day 13 also presents the "Dakar" heroes with plenty of kilometres to be completed. A total of 725, which includes 368 against the clock, are on the agenda between San Rafael and Santa Rosa. The flatter route profile and the expanse of the legendary Pampa dominate the day's picture. As a result, the pace increases and with it the risk of failing with the finish practically in sight - more can be lost that won here.

François Verbist/Jürgen Damen/Milko Laukamp, Tom de Leeuw/Dirk van Obbergen/Thorsten Goldberg
Volkswagen Race Truck MAN TGA, leg 13, 15 January 2010
courtesy audi-motorsport.info

JANUARY 16, 2010 - Stage 14, Santa Rosa (RA) - Buenos Aires (RA)

Flat out to the finish: The last stage of the 2010 Dakar Rally is dominated by high top speeds. Last year this was the fastest stage with 81 per cent full throttle although driven in the opposite direction. At that time the longest section without "lifting" was measured at almost ten kilometres. Long straights along narrow farm roads take turns with 90 degree corners.

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CARLOS SAINZ WINS THE 2010 DAKAR

Two times WRC champion in 90 and 92, Spanish driver Carlos Sainz (VW) will have had to wait for his fourth attempt to finally win the most prestigious of all rally raids. Leader in the general standings since stage 5 and winner of two stages in this 32nd edition, Carlos Sainz wins in 47h10’00, 2’12 only ahead of his teammate Naseer Al-Attiyah (VW), and 32’51 ahead of his other teammate US driver Mark Miller (VW). It is therefore a triple victory for Volkswagen to gets here a third title in the Dakar after winning in 1980 and 2009... Ranking fourth 2h17’21 behind the winner is Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel (BMW), who finishes almost 2h ahead of his teammate and countryman Guerlain Chicherit (BMW), who finishes fifth.