Today the liaison of 230 km long awaited for the crews. The route went along picturesque villages of Senegal, on the road between huge baobabs.
Start of the special was given on the coast of the ocean. The section is not counted in the general classification and is a symbolic commemoration of past ‘Dakars’, Motorbikes started first. It was a mass-start, they started all together. Then cars started in tens, and later start was given to all the trucks.
Traditionally we hung flags of Russia and Tatarstan and passed last 25 km of the race.
At the finish Russian fans, living in Senegal, awaited for us. It seemed that all Russian people of the country came to meet KAMAZ trucks and other Russian racers. There were congratulations, common photoing, autographs…
-This year the race has been very hard. We faced with technical problems, clutch failure of one truck in dunes. The fact that all KAMAZ trucks finished and the crew of Anton Shibalov could keep their first position in such conditions is a real success!
We could get ourselves out of a difficult situation. Such problems are very often on African Dakars.
The team has won the race; the crews became stronger and are ready for new challenges! The podium finished with a prize ceremony – the 1st place in the truck category and the 1st place among hybrid vehicles for gas and diesel KAMAZ, which corresponds the ideology of Africa Eco Race.
