The annual Dakar Rally, held in South America since 2009, is just two days away. Starting on 5 January, 575 vehicles across four classes will start the two week, 8 000 km race through Peru, Argentina and Chile. The South African flag will be flying high yet again thanks to the Toyota Imperial Hilux 4×4 entries piloted by Giniel de Villiers and Duncan Vos.
#301 – Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz (Imperial Toyota Hilux)
Heading up the local charge is multiple touring car champion and 2009 Dakar winner Giniel de Villiers and long-time German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz. Last year they managed to finish third overall despite regulations that didn’t favour their Hilux. This year, with more torque at his disposal and the chief opponents using new and unproven engines, de Villiers should be able to contest for the lead.
# 312 – Duncan Vos and Rob Howie (Imperial Toyota Hilux)
Toyota teammates and current South African off-road champions Duncan Vos and Rob Howie hope to improve on their 10th overall finish last year – nonetheless an impressive feat considering it was their maiden Dakar raid. This year they’re hoping to make the top five.
The South African effort faces stiff competition yet again for the 2013 edition of Dakar – with former winners and stage winners all eager to once again be at the top of the field.
#302 – Stéphane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret (Monster X-Raid Mini)
There’s no bigger legend in the Dakar than Stéphane Peterhansel. With six wins on a Yamaha motorcycle, three wins in a Mitsubishi Pajero and, after a short drought, a win in a Mini last year, Peterhansel is the most experienced man at the very top of the field and comes in once again with a title to defend. Expect this French duo to set the pace early on.
#304 – Joan Roma and Michel Perin (Monster X-Raid Mini)
Roma, a former winner in the bike category, has proven to be a legitimate threat with multiple stage wins to his name and a second overall finish to his credit behind Peterhansel last year. The Spaniard and French co-driver Michel Périn will try hard to do one better than “runners-up”.
#315 – Robby Gordon and Kellon Walch (Team Speed Hummer)
Gordon’s s mixed success has made him a true Dakar dark horse. After finishing third in 2009 and suffering a mechanical issue last year after being the only real threat to Peterhansel’s lead, the Californian is hungry for the win. Watch him and fellow American Kellon Walch outrun the rest of the field on the faster, flatter sections in their Hummer H3.
#300 – Nasser Al-Attiyah and Lucas Cruz (Qatar Red Bull Rally Team Buggy)
Member of the Qatari royal family and Olympian skeet shooter Nasser Al-Attiyah returns in a custom buggy built by Baja specialist Demon Jefferies. The 2011 winner is optimistic about the new buggy, but maintains that it is a mid-term effort, and has given himself three years to win in this new vehicle. His uncanny ability to “read” the dunes, and armed with a vehicle 500 kg lighter than his Hummer entry last year, may see Al-Attiyah and Spaniard Lucas Cruz at the front of the field from the very start though.
#303 – Carlos Sainz and Timo Gottschalk (Qatar Red Bull Rally Team Buggy)
Former WRC champion and 2010 Dakar winner Carlos Sainz has joined Al-Attiyah’s effort, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be playing second fiddle. Together with German co-driver Timo Gottschschalk, Sainz will prove a formidable opponent should he grasp the nature of the new buggy. His attacking style leaves nothing to chance.
#306 – Lucio Álvarez and Bernardo Graue (Overdrive Toyota Hilux)
This Argentinian duo really proved themselves last year with their Hilux, finishing fifth overall. Their “home course” knowledge as well as some serious preparation for this year’s raid means that they could solidify their place as serious contenders in the years to come if they place in the top five again.
Besides the Imperial Toyota team, you can also follow the efforts of Johan van Staden and Mike Lawrenson in entry #403 (Enduro MC-4 RS) in the car category, Darryl Curtis, Riaan van Niekerk and Brett Cummings (#37 and#40 KTM and #89 Honda respectively) in the bike category and Sarel van Biljon (#277 E-ATV) in the quad category.
A half-hour Dakar highlights package will be screened on SuperSport2 (DStv channel 202) at 22:00 every day, with five repeats the following day, from January 5.