HOME > Latest News > 2024 > Issue #4
Issue #4:January 10, 2024
On January 8, the third stage of the 2024 Dakar Rally was held between Al Duwadimi and Al Salamiya in Saudi Arabia. The SS (competition section) was 437 km long, and only two hours of maintenance work was permitted; the two days leading up to tomorrow are just like a tough marathon stage. Any serious damage to the body at this point would have a major impact on the rest of the rally, so both TLC cars drove with caution. Car #501 with Ronald Basso and Jean-Michel Polato who started off in 127th position overall in the Car category finished 96th overall and 1st in the Stock (Production Car) category. Meanwhile, Akira Miura and Mayeul Barbet in car #500 started off in 121st position overall and finished 98th overall and 2nd in the category. As a result, the cumulative ranking for car #500 is 98th overall and 1st in the Stock (Production Car) category, while car #501 is 100th and 2nd in the same category (all rankings are provisional).
The SS started on rocky terrain and quickly turned into a sandy, high-speed dirt road surrounded by rocks. After this, several soft dunes also appeared. In particular, the sand dunes from the 250 km point continued for 40 kilometers, and the soft sand increased their difficulty. The high-speed section was long, but like the previous day, the vehicles up ahead kicked up clouds of dust, making navigation extremely difficult in various places.
The two cars started the stage not too far away from one another, and they drove in a way that enabled them to see each other. Driving with caution, they managed to reach the finish without punctures or getting stuck.
For this stage, instead of a working on the cars in a bivouac, inspection and maintenance was performed in a roadside area which had been set up 390 meters ahead of the SS finish line. Those who are unable to complete the required work within a two-hour window face penalties, so the TLC mechanics worked steadily to complete the planned work. They successfully made it in time and were able to send off both cars. Afterwards, the teams made their way to the bivouac in Al Salamiya via a 172 km liaison, where the cars were stored in a parc fermé (vehicle storage area) till the start of the competition tomorrow morning. After completing maintenance, the assistance crew departed for the bivouac in Al-Hofuf at the finish line of the fourth stage using a 530 km assistance route. For the fourth stage on January 9, a 299 km section has been scheduled between Al Salamiya and Al-Hofuf.
Miura (driver): The improved TOYO TIRES are incredibly effective; I was able to run them at low pressure without any punctures. For the last three days I’ve been driving with a theme in mind, and today I was once again able to get the results I aimed for, so we are confident.
Basso (driver): Being overtaken by fast trucks creates dust that seriously affects our visibility; it’s very tiresome, but the car made it across the dunes comfortably and we’re in great shape. I want to finish tomorrow without any setbacks.