Jutta Kleinschmidt tightens grip on third place with Volkswagen
Yet another world class performance by Volkswagen works driver Jutta
Kleinschmidt: The speedy Germany lady and her Italian co-driver Fabrizia
Pons tightened their grip on third place overall during the seventh and, at
the same time, the Dakar Rally's most difficult and, at 660 kilometres,
longest stage. The female duo reached the finish of the so-called
marathon-stage in Mauritania as third best team. No service work is
permitted at the end of the desert stage between Zouerat and Tichit -- the
Race-Touareg, powered by a 260 PS 2.5-litre five-cylinder diesel TDI engine,
was parked in Parc fermé along with all the other vehicles ready to attack
the second part of the marathon-stage held over 520 kilometres to Tidjikja
on Friday. Team colleague Bruno Saby and co-driver Michel Périn, who started
the seventh stage as leaders, fell down the order for, as yet unknown
reasons, just as Juha Kankkunen and his co-driver Juha Repo did. Robby
Gordon continued the rally on Thursday after a fantastic team effort: The
Volkswagen team repaired the US-American's Race-Touareg overnight after he
rolled the previous afternoon and had only arrived at the finish around
midnight towed by a Volkswagen Race-Truck. Gordon and co-driver Dirk von
Zitzewitz were on their way again at 12:40 P.M. -- they started from 115th
position and had worked their way up to twelve place already at the first
check point on the stage.
Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)
"On a turbulent and extremely difficult stage Jutta and Fabrizia drove
faultlessly and defended their place at the head of the field. My sincere
congratulations also go to the team that made Robby Gordon's car driveable
again during the night. Even more regrettable is that Bruno, who was
leading, also suffered a setback just as Juha did."
#310 -- Jutta Kleinschmidt (D), 3rd place (leg) / 3rd position overall
"Quite honestly I'm relieved that we survived the day in such good
condition. Every aspect of that stage was incredibly tough. The strong
headwind and bad visibility in the sand storm demanded every ounce of
concentration. The camel grass at the end was an unpleasant obstacle after
the very tricky dunes."
From the Volkswagen bivouac
- Night shift: Robby Gordon arrived at the bivouac in Zouerat just before
midnight following his accident on stage six. The Volkswagen works driver:
"We caught up with a car, and changed to the left lane. Immediately
following a small jump there was a second hump-back jump, which we hit on
landing and launched us into a series of rolls." The team had a busy night
shift. "We changed suspension, clutch and steering", stated Chief Engineer
Eduard Weidl. "At six o'clock in the morning everything was ready."
- Alone in the desert: Only isolation awaits the drivers at the marathon
bivouac, since only a few solitary houses stand on a gravel wilderness
stretching as far as the eye can see. The ground is so hard that the supply
aeroplanes can park anywhere on the open ground they choose. In the evening
only the drivers and Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen are allowed
in the bivouac.
- Forgetful driver: Just before the start of the marathon stage Volkswagen
works driver Robby Gordon forgot his washing bag. In Tichit, where there are
no shops, the American had to borrow a toothbrush and razor from his team
colleagues.
Three questions to Volkswagen team doctor Sonja Witten
What does a team doctor do during the Dakar Rally?
"I look after all 62 team staff. Typical jobs include looking after the
injured, administering precautions against malaria and medical care after
accidents. Cases of diarrhoea and sun stroke are common. I'm stationed in
the bivouac so that everybody can find me."
What is the difference to the responsibilities of a general practitioner?
"Here it is more a question of getting the people back on their feet as soon
as possible so that they continue, because during the long rally you have no
chance to cure an illness."
Did you equip the drivers especially for the marathon-stage?
"No since they are already well looked after. They receive foods high in
carbohydrates and have drinks on board. Also, there is a first-aid box with
bandages and some medicines."
-vw-
