On 9 January the 11th stage of Africa Eco Race took place. It was the last stage counted in the standings.
The previous day the team faced with technical problems of Kuprianov’s truck (#403). The repair continued until morning. It was a time-consuming process, but the truck was ready to the start.
The last day the organizers decided not to make a difficult stage. The special section was easier than last year. There were a few dunes after 30 kilometers from the start, then fast roads at the maximum speed and a ‘taxiway’ at the finish – 207 km in general.
The team’s target was ‘to fight to the end!’ The crews passed the route fast, without stops and problems and finished almost at the same time. The race organizer Jean-Lois Schlesser accompanied KAMAZ trucks on the route on his single-seat plane, flying some meters in front of going at the speed of 147 km trucks.
At the finish line there were traditional hugs with the team and former rivals, first congratulations on our win…
Anton Shibalov took the first position in the truck category and Sergey Kuprianov is the fourth.”
According to Sergey Kuprianov, “this year the race was challenging. Notwithstanding our physical preparation, experience and understanding of what awaited us in Africa, it was very hard. The route was more difficult, particularly, with more narrow curvy roads, which are quite hard for trucks to pass. The rivals in the car category were much stronger and good luck turned back on our crew. Saving a good time at the first two-third of the race, we almost lost everything last two days. The punctured wheel in dunes and the clutch failure put us on the fourth position in the truck standings. However, this is African Dakar, and everything can happen This is a life experience which is impossible to get from books. It means, next time we will be stronger!”
As Robert Amatych said, “the preparation to the 11th stage was especially intensive. We checked our trucks very attentively, a lot of times reread the road-book, we didn’t have right for a mistake. A beautiful sunny morning and good mood of mechanics, who had not had enough sleep, gave us confidence boost that we would not have any problems that day. It is very pleasant that we were greeted by the participants and the rally organizers at the start and at the finish. A lot of them try to speak Russian with us.”
Anton Shibalov: “the last special section was very fast, the rally organizers decided not to make us exhausted. There were not many Mauritanian sands and we passed them very fast and without problems. Two KAMAZ trucks finished together, it means that Sergey won today’s stage. The only day was very sad-when his clutch was broken. It proves how Mauritanian sands are difficult to pass. It is challenging not only for people, but also for a reliable vehicle!”
Tomorrow at the dawn the rally participants will start the liaison to the fishermen’s village Kayar, which is situated on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The start for the last timed section will be given there. The podium will be on the lakeside of Lake Retba, where all the heroes of the eight’s edition of Africa Eco Race will get their trophies. It is going to be an exciting and emotional moment!”
