with three in the final top five. Challenging North Africa terrain proves to be valuable test ahead of countdown to 2017 Dakar RallyRussian duo Vasilyev / Zhilstsov complete Rally Oilibya of Maroc 2016 with third place. Terranova (ARG) / Fiúza (POR) take fourth. Przygonski (POL) / Colsoul (BEL) secure fifth spot. Garafulic (CHI) / Palmeiro (POR) seal top ten placing with ninth place. 1885 km of varying degrees of difficult terrain proved to be ideal testing conditions for the MINI ALL4 Racing family throughout the six days of the Rally Oilibya of Maroc 2016. Performance and durability testing, along with chassis set-up, were priority for the crews and these were achieved with success by way of reward.Three MINI ALL4 Racing placed inside the overall top five results. The long-standing pairing of Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS) and Konstantin Zhilstsov (RUS) finished third at the end of the hotly contested desert rally. A remarkable achievement indeed considering their ultimate aim was to secure information ahead of the Dakar Rally in January 2017.“We are happy,” said Vasilyev. “The MINI ALL4 Racing ran very well. We had no problems whatsoever – neither technical nor when it came to driving and navigating. For us, it was about testing our car and the suspension in particular.”Another outstanding performance was also displayed in Morocco by experienced crew members Orlando Terranova (ARG) / Paulo Fiúza (POR). Together they placed their MINI ALL4 Racing fourth overall. Utilising Orlando’s South American home knowledge and proficiency in vehicle set up means the MINI ALL4 Racing crew family for Dakar 2017 will be technically prepared for the ‘Big One’.Kuba Przygonski (POL) and Tom Coulsoul (BEL) not only achieved a magnificent result with fifth place overall, but also highlighted how rapid the Polish driver can be with greater familiarisation of the MINI ALL4 Racing.“Last year, my experience with the car in the dunes was limited,” said Przygonski “Now, the fifth place reflects the progress I made. The cooperation with Tom is great; we speak the same language. Fifth place is a really fine result and I hope that we also will be fast at Dakar.”The fourth MINI ALL4 Racing to finish in the top ten results was that of Boris Garafulic (CHL) and co-driver Filipe Palmeiro (POR). The six days of intense and arduous racing across some fierce terrain obviously provided greater experience for the driver from Chile but especially the Marathon Stage where an overnight bivouac meant no outside servicing assistance.The MINI ALL4 Racing crews of Yazeed Al Rajhi (KSA) and co-driver Timo Gottschalk (GER) and Mikko Hirvonen (FIN) /Michel Périn (FRA) did not fare so well in Morocco. Bad luck and illness forced both crews into retirement from the race but not before returning invaluable feedback from the covered stages.Baja Portalegre 500 is the final round of the FIA Cross Country World Cup. Although not a long distance event, the racing action will fast and furious and another ideal venue for testing ahead of the 2017 Dakar Rally.