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This is the single-news section of the
marathonrally.com rally-live special of the UAE Desert Challenge 2006. To navigate please use the upper or right Navigation Bar.
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UAE Desert Challenge: Vatanen retired after engine problems.
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Volkswagen drivers Ari Vatanen and Fabrizia Pons were forced to retire on the special stage after an engine defect today (Thursday): "After 27 kilometres we had an engine problem and had to stop. It's better, though, that this happened here during our ‘dress rehearsal' than two months from now during the Dakar Rally" said Ari Vatanen in the evening. Motorsport-Director Kris Nissen added: "Ari Vatanen stopped after 30 kilometres due to an engine problem. Before deciding whether Ari can start to the last leg, we need to investigate the defect. Since Ari was not driving the final evolution of the engine and there was a lot of mileage on this unit we're not concerned about the defect."
Volkswagen factory drivers Carlos Sainz and Michel Périn have won the fourth - and with a distance of 379 kilometres the longest - special stage in the UAE Desert Challenge. At outside temperatures of 37 degrees, the team in the Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 relegated the BMW driver Nasser Al-Attiyah to second place with a 1.39-minute lead following a fierce duel. After his exploit on Monday, this marked the second stage victory for Carlos Sainz.
"We're delighted about our second stage victory because today's leg, which was fast in some parts, was another hot and tough one for man and material" said the Spaniard Sainz "At some points the navigation was really demanding, Michel did a superb job." "Carlos and Michel drove perfectly" added Kris Nissen, "caught up with Mitsubishi and later overtook them. The Race Touareg 2 was very quick at each time check. This confirms that the evolution of the vehicle with the new components is competitive." For the Race Touareg, this is the 17th stage victory of the season and the 40th exploit since 2004.
The Portuguese Carlos Sousa in a vehicle of Team Lagos entered by the Volkswagen semi-works team Phoenix Sport continues to occupy fourth place."We were able to defend our fourth place overall but, unfortunately, we're very far away from the first three vehicles" said Sousa. "I have to continue to work harder on myself in order to drive faster. The Race Touareg is the best car I've ever driven."
2006/11/09 | 22:22 CET | Editor: UAE Live Team, hs, VW-Press
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