Africa Race. A Rest Day

03.01.13 Bivouac Dakhla
The sea smelled of watermelons. We came to the equator of the race and today we have a rest day. Organizers can make a subtotal today. Thus, the "Desert Fox" Jean-Louis Schlesser firmly holds the superiority, but he is ahead of Jerome Pelichet only on 10 minutes and 1 second. Here is a desperate dispute for the third place, and the crews are driving aggressively and are densely placed in the standings. It proves the high level of competitors’ skills. Motorcyclists, desperate guys, are fighting singly with the African off-road, suffering losses – it stays only 60% from the original line-up. In trucks category the crews of "KAMAZ-Master", Elizabeth Jacinto and Tomas Tomecek are going well, seriously competing with jeeps. For the two last competitors African road to the Rose Lake has became an extraordinary friend that you can’t forget, so it is familiar and unpredictable at the same time. Our guys are slowly increasing the pace, but the way they are naturally entered into the race, of course, is a merit of high-quality professional trainings. But how could it be otherwise, if seven-time winner of the "Dakar" Vladimir Chagin was engaged in their trainings? Now they take the fifth position in the overall. It is much more difficult to act on one car, no help is within reach, but Yakubov’s school forms so strongly the basis that the successful performance in the extreme conditions of the classical super marathon route becomes possible.

The general team’s opinion: "We are amazed by the race, pleased with the route. There is hardly somewhere else such a variety of surfaces and landscapes. There is a freedom for overtaking; freewheeling opportunities of navigation, leeway and the amplitude of strategic developments. Stages are extended, difficult and very useful for the experience. The result at this stage is unexpected, but very pleasant for us. Our task is to take care of the car and reach the finish line. Although, of course, we are not against the top lines in the sports classification, but it is only a derivative of the first task".

Evgeny Yakovlev, co-pilot of the crew № 401, he is for the first time in competition of such level, as the rally-marathon "Sonangol Africa Eco Race": "The race is very interesting, navigation on such great spaces is a new experience for me- there is very often no reference points, there is always a lots of options for the movement, and it is necessary to choose the most favorable one, but there is still Mauritania ahead, more sand, it will be really difficult there".

Stanislav Pogozhikh, head of the mechanics, he has the experience on "Dakar" in Africa and South America as a co-pilot, mechanic, night mechanic: "The crew in terms of repair behaves very professionally on the road, almost perfect. After four stages, we made a detailed formal inspection, the planned springs changing, wheels changing, all engine systems were maintained, mechanical works were made, and preventative maintenance of assistance cars was carried out. Today I even had time to practice my French, walk on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, to talk with guys in Peru, to say them hello from us and to have some rest ". Evgeny Kharlamov, engine specialist, unique motor mechanic: "Filters are clean. As at Chagin truck. The guys are going ahead, and there is no dust. They develop the principle of Semen Yakubov: the one who doesn't break the car, takes care of it and carefully prepare it will win. The beginning is good, let the continuation won't be worse ".

Tomas Tomecek is a competitor of "Dakar" from 1988, "I love Africa, Dakar is in Africa, it is right and that’s why I'm here. There are very good organizers, experienced competitors; here is the spirit of Dakar. I wanted to support organizers by my participation; I want that the race in Africa be continued. When I came for the first time to "Dakar", it was still "Dakar" of Thierry Sabine. He organized this race as a test for a person in the most difficult situations, and each time I find something new, here is a freedom. At the first stage I had a problem with poor quality fuel, later I had to clean the fuel system. At another stage the stone (stones here are sharp as knives) cut the brake hose. I was born the same year as Chagin but he had a son when he was 20 years old, and at that age I assembled the first small racing car. Now Chagin leads the team, and I have four children. Everyone has his own way. I think that KAMAZ has great strategy, it is a very strong team, but I will fight".

Batyr Kazybayev, press attache of "Astana" team on Africa Eco Race: "The most incredible thing that happened to us: one crew could not start ... After technical checks, when everything was normal. It is just kind of mysticism, everything was Ok till the port, and in Melilla we were not able to start the car, the computer got out of order. Then we had problem with head gasket on Bowler, we missed one stage. Mechanics accomplished a feat, for a night they changed everything and repaired, the crew of Yuriy Sazonov and Arslan Sahimova yesterday stepped back into the ranks and bring us 3 minutes. The day before Kanat Shagirov broke all four wheels. He also had problem with gear, lost 20 minutes on repairs on the road, then decided just to cut off the front axle, and came only on the rear axle. Basically guys are driving well, but yours are really very nice! Schlesser passed, then Pelichet, and after them your guys, really good result! Here is another life, a brain rebooting happens! "

The rest day was certainly long-awaited: for tired crews and night mechanics, and for the machines. This is an opportunity to concentrate before the final throw, and we have to prepare cars before the sand, adjust tactics in accordance with the results and gained experience. In general, this long-awaited day, was not too long and not quite a rest day. And tomorrow, we leave at liaison at 4:45 am.

Svetlana Klimova