The Nissan Terrano 1 driven by Luciano Carcheri and Giulia Maroni masterfully navigated the tracks between Riyadh and Al Dawadimi in the most complete stage of the Dakar Classic so far with six competitive sectors.
A flawless stage, the most technical since the start of this adventure in the Saudi Arabian desert. The Squadra Corse Angelo Caffi reached the bivouac of Al Dawadimi after Luciano Carcheri and Giulia Maroni on the Nissan Terrano 1 covered almost 600 kilometres with 6 timed sectors confirming the fourth place in Group H3 and rising to 42nd overall.
There couldn't have been a better way to get back on track after the day of rest and above all to exorcise the rumours about the Dakar Classic cancellation after the events in Jeddah a few days ago. The Italian crew captained by the experienced Costa Ligure testimonial driver put in a particularly remarkable performance. It wasn't easy: there were five regularity checks and one navigation check, on poorly groomed, sandy and rather technical tracks.
"We've reached a point where it's important to push but also to consider the vehicle. To get to Jeddah from here on you need to safeguard the car which is starting to have a few thousand kilometres on its shoulders" Carcheri said.
"Today's stage was very bumpy, stony in places, sandy in others, and with tracks that were not always linear, where navigation was very important. We have a very good feeling in the cockpit, we are satisfied" Maroni said.
"The difference from here on will be all this: foresight, speed and sensitivity. Not an easy cocktail to manage, but we are ready" Carcheri said.
Next stage, 10 January | Al Dawadimi-Wadi Ad Dawasir
This mainly dune stage with a total of 743 kilometres will be one of the longest of this edition. The stage starts at 5:45am local time with a 122-kilometre road section before four successive timed sectors. The first has a set average speed of 80.13km/h, the second 99.95km/h, the third 90.80km/h and the fourth 69.32km/h. It will not be an easy one. A 330km road section concludes the day before reaching the bivouac at Wadi Ad Dawasir.
Dakar Classic 2022, the route
01.01.22 | Ha’il-Ha’il (Prologue)
02.01.22 | Ha’il-Ha’il
03.01.22 | Ha’il-Al Quaysumah
04.01.22 | Al Quaysumah-Al Quaysumah
05.01.22 | Al Quaysumah-Riyadh
06.01.22 | Riyadh-Riyadh
07.01.22 | Riyadh-Riyadh
08.01.22 | Rest Riyadh
09.01.22 | Riyadh-Al Dawadimi
10.01.22 | Al Dawadimi-Wadi Ad Dawasir
11.01.22 | Wadi Ad Dawasir-Wadi Ad Dawasir
12.01.22 | Wadi Ad Dawasir
