With altitudes reaching 4 722 metres on the sixth stage of Dakar 2018 in Bolivia, the naturally aspirated V8 engines driving Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s Hilux bakkies were at a disadvantage against the 3,0-litre V6 twin-turbodiesel Peugeots.
The French brand’s Carlos Sainz and Stephane Peterhansel were able to stretch their lead during the 313 km stage, with the former clinching victory on the day with a time of 2:53:30. Peterhansel crossed the line in second, but stays in the lead in the overall standings.
Still, the Hilux bakkies driven by Nasser Al-Attiyah and Giniel de Villiers were just about able to keep up with the pack, crossing the line a few minutes behind Sainz, and ahead of Cyril Despres (also in a Peugeot).
Toyota’s Bernhard ten Brinke could muster only seventh place on Stage 6, but is still in third overall.
South Africa’s Hennie de Klerk in a South Racing Volkswagen Amarok finished Stage 6 in 26th place, putting him in 32nd position overall. Lucio Alvarez, with South African navigator Rob Howie beside him in a Hilux, finished in eighth on the sixth stage, moving up to 14th overall.
Stage 6
- Carlos Sainz (Peugeot) 02:53:30
- Stephane Peterhansel (Peugeot) +04:06
- Nasser Al-Attiyah (Toyota) +05:05
- Giniel de Villiers (Toyota) +05:31
- Cyril Despres (Peugeot) +08:49
- Mikko Hirvonen (Mini X-Raid) +08:56
- Bernhard ten Brinke (Toyota) +09:31
- Lucio Alvarez (Overdrive Toyota) +12:26
- Martin Prokop (MP-Sports Ford) +12:31
- Jakub Przygonski (Mini X-Raid) +12:39
Overall
- Stephane Peterhansel (Peugeot) 16:25:02
- Carlos Sainz (Peugeot) +27:10
- Bernhard ten Brinke (Toyota) +01:20:41
- Nasser Al-Attiyah (Toyota) +01:24:20
- Giniel de Villiers (Toyota) +01:35:59
- Jakub Przygonski (Mini X-Raid) +02:25:16
- Martin Prokop (MP-Sports Ford) +02:25:52
- Sheikh Khalid Al Qassim (PH-Sport Peugeot) +02:29:06
- Eugenio Amos (Two Wheels Drive) +02:30:58
- Patrick Sireyjol (Cummins) +03:25:35
