HOME > Latest News > 2024 > Issue #5
Issue #5:January 11, 2024
On January 9, the fourth stage took teams from Al Salamiya to Al-Hofuf in the east. For the second day of the semi-marathon stage, it was a 299 km competition section. Car #500 car with Akira Miura and Mayeul Barbet once again experienced rising oil temperatures in the power steering that had been repaired on the previous day during the liaison to the start. When the oil temperature rises too high, the power steering’s assist performance is affected; careful driving with minimal load was necessary. Fortunately, the course mainly consisted of sand tracks and gravel roads that don’t require heavy steering, so Car #500 was able to maintain a steady pace; they finished in 96th place overall and 1st place in the Stock (Production Car) category. Meanwhile, Car #501 was supporting Car #500 from behind when it lost visibility at the 60 km mark due to severe dust and damaged its suspension when it hit its left front wheel on a rock. Understandably, their pace didn’t improve after that and they finished the SS in 116th place overall, 9 minutes and 38 seconds behind, and 2nd in the category. This brings Car #500’s cumulative ranking to 93rd overall and 1st in the Stock (Production Car) category, and for Car #501, 98th overall and 2nd in the category (both rankings are provisional).
Both cars traveled a 198 km liaison (transfer section) and arrived at the bivouac in Al-Hofuf at around 6:30 pm. The mechanics were waiting for the cars to arrive and quickly started their inspection work.
Tomorrow, the teams will head to Shubaytah at the eastern end of the Empty Quarter, a desert region in southern Saudi Arabia. Any problems on the sand dunes can directly lead to retirement, so the team worked on the vehicle late into the night to ensure everything was covered.
Miura (driver): When I started driving on the liaison this morning, the power steering’s oil temperature started going up. The last time I experienced trouble I lost the assist, which made the steering heavy and difficult, so I drove carefully the whole way. I was relieved to make it to the finish line safely.
Basso (driver): At the beginning of the SS, I hit the left front wheel on a rock that we couldn’t see due to dust. From there, we gradually lost pace. It’s a pity that we damaged the suspension, but I'm glad we were able to safely arrive together with Car #500.