"THEIR" AFRICA ECO RACE...
Jérôme BONFILS: « A real sporting challenge and an exceptional atmosphere!
On their Bowler, Jérôme Bonfils and Bernard Irissou ended their African trip on the tenth position of the overall classification. An great performance which crowns twelve days of intense race where regularity of the crew has paid.
" I was lucky to participate to different rallies, but I never had so much pleasure as I had on this Africa Race … On the sporting side, it is a difficult event where rigor and regularity are compulsory to make a good result, but the atmosphere from the beginning to the end was just exceptional. The conviviality, the mutual aid and the sharing make this race a real human experience. The exchange with the other teams, on two or four wheels is made in a very natural way. No endless and useless connections to get closer to hotels. Here, no hotel, but nobody complains about it! The exchange with the populations is warm and authentic. Every day the landscapes are just amazing. Mauritania…Simply magic! Thanks to René Metge! What I lived is in accordance with what I was expecting from such an event. I am really not disappointed. When, besides, the result is satisfying what to ask furthermore? I renew on Africa Race with values disappeared on many other big events…
Miklos Kovacs’ Scania… with a DAF front axle!
During the 2011 edition of Africa Eco Race Miklos Kovacs and the Qualisport team could not defend their title in the truck category but the Hungarians were able to do something “special”. After they crashed the front axle of the Scania on the 3rd stage and were stuck at the same place for more than 50 hours, they tailored a DAF front axle into the truck and reached the Lac Rose again.
Miklos Kovacs, his co-driver Peter Czegledi and chief mechanic Tamas Toth started the race in spectacular form: they won the 1st stage in the truck category and only three cars did better time than the Scania. After they were the 2nd fastest truck at the 2nd stage, while an invisible bump finished their race at the 75th kilometer of the 3rd stage: the yellow Scania flew more than 20 meters and the front axle crashed after the „landing”.
„What a situation” – said the Hungarian driver who won the fight in the truck category last year – „We were stuck in a wadi without the two front wheels of the vehicle. While we spent the New Year’ Eve there, the assistance crew was trying to find the necessary components around Marocco. They just found a DAF front axle in Er Rachidia, so we had tailored it into the truck. With all of our mechanical knowledge, we did it. It was an emotional moment when we catch the others at Laayoune as nobody could imagine how we solved the problem.”
And what Kovacs thinks about the rest of the Africa Eco Race? „As usual, it was a very well organised event and we saw fantastic fights in all category. After our accident, we travelled on the assistance route and stayed in the race-family. We tried to demonstrate our fighting spirit as it was important for us to take the Hungarian national flag to Dakar again. Congratulations to the winners but I must say we will come back next year and try to take back the title in the truck category!”
Maxim KIRPILEV: « No doubt… I will come back! »
After great performances throughout the rally, Maxim Kirpilev concludes his African escapade on a very beautiful 9th position. A first race in Africa and lots of memories …
"It was our first time and race in Africa and we are really satisfied! I enjoyed everything - nature, specific African landscapes, bivouacs atmosphere and… of course the race! At the finish we had the strong desire to continue and start again and again. I am very happy with our result and we had a great experience in sand - I remember when we were stuck in sand for the first time in Morocco and did not know what to do, how to drive… But at the end of this day we already knew the first "sand rules" and until the finish we worked for improving our skills. We will come back here, I am sure!”
Norbert DUBOIS : « Simply…delighted! »
Second of the bikes’ race, Norbert Dubois participated to his 19th race of his carreer (a solid experience on track) on the occasion of the 2011 Africa Race.
" On human relationships side, I have never lived such a rally … I am delighted by what I was able to live there and I have to admit that I even learnt a lot. I improved in navigation and I learnt to make decisions. Everything was perfectly measured and the atmosphere was exceptional … The route, the bivouacs, everything was at the top! When I came back home, my first reaction was to call friends and next year, I can tell you there will be a lot of people. The Nomade Racing team is already full for 2012 with 12 competitors! After my accident (last year) I had a certain apprehension and I needed two days to be back really in the race. My fall during the 3rd stage (handle of clutch broken) doubtless costs me the final victory but I have no regret, I completely took advantage of it afterward. I’ll be there for the 4th edition! "
