David FRETIGNE – YAMAHA – 1st in the overall bikes
« I had a lot more fun than yesterday. No navigation mistakes but no major hits either. Full steam ahead for ten minutes, at 143 km/h !!! We have now worked efficiently on the suspension. The ride is smoother and I really liked starting first this morning , with no trail ahead of me.
It seemed as if I was the only one alive out there, a great feeling! The Road Book is very accurate and we have ideal racing conditions. It a great chance to work on the machines and it's not everyday one gets to ride in such a landscape. »
Thierry BETHYS – HONDA – 2nd in the oberall bikes
« I'm trying not to follow the trails ahead of me and to do my own navigation. I have to learn to trust myself in this respect. I got a bit lost this morning but you learn from your mistakes too…I'm down to one a day now! In terms of experience on this type of race, compared to David or Michel, I'm the baby of the bunch.
I don't really like very fast specials, I prefer the technical ones. I am not always at top speed. Today was a good day and I handled it as I wished to. The relly positive thing is that everyday brings something new.
Bruno DA COSTA – HONDA – 3rd in the overall bikes
« I broke my exhaust pipe this morning and I thought the day was over for me at the end of the first lap. I fell down yesterday and crushed the exhaust, today the vibrations completely destroyed it at km 125, half-way through.
Thanks to Thierry Bethys, whom I wish to thank warmly for lending me a complete exhaust line, I could start again this afternoon and keep my third place in the overall, something I am very happy about. »
Frédéric LEPAN – KTM – 4th in the overall bikes
« it was a nice and fast day. Two third of it off-track and I stayed careful the whole time. I didn't really go over anything today but it won't last. I also have to mention the road-book is perfect!
The bike is running smoothly and if I hadn't lost my mudguard yesterday I would be even higher in the charts. We'll see what's next… »
Gary ENNIS – KTM – 2nd in the Enduro Cup category
« I had lots of fun, the sights were magnificent. So far it's fine, it's a great experience»
Vincent ALBIRA – YAMAHA – 1st in the Quad category
« it was great! Full speed the whole time, 127 km/h at some point. No navigation problems, just a bit of noise in the engine but nothing to worry about. This afternoon I punctured a tyre 15 km before the finish line.
I have everything to learn and I don't want to get too happy for being ahead of the others. Everything is happening to me at the same time, and I do realize I have to work on my shape for the stamina. »
Leonid NOVITSKIY – BMW X3 – 1st of the overall cars
« This rally is like a tennis game to me. I go for the ace on the first lap, and if that doesn't work I play it safe in the second one. That's what I did today.… »
Jean-Louis Schlesser – Buggy Schlesser – 2nd in the overall cars
« We attacked this morning to make up for our lateness, and we passed the Russians around km 80. But 10 km from the finish line, no more GPS… we tried to drive with the bikers but it proved impossible. We had to wait for Novitskiy for a good 10 minutes.
This afternoon we passed the BMW again but then he followed us. He raced smartly. The car is running fine, no problems. I've always gone full speed and it's not going to change. »
Jean-Noël JULIEN – Buggy Mégane – 5th in the overall cars
« Except for a bit of trouble on the navigation instruments this morning, nothing special. A good day with some fun driving, an appreciating the trail. »
Régis DELAHAYE – Buggy MD Sport – 7th in the overall car
« No mechanical problems, no major navigation issues, only two small mistakes. We lack top speed. This afternoon one punctured tyres. This leg was ideal for buggies. »
Etienne SMULEVICI – Buggy SMG – 8th in the overall car
« Jean-Jacques (martinez) is getting more and more into it. He is very dedicated. The special was superb, with two nice downhill slopes. We finished this morning with a punctured tyre but this afternoon was fine. »
Alain FRICKER – SSV DRAKART
« Yesterday we drove like beginners. We blew a tyre and forgot the spanner to change it. Someone finally lent us a spanner and we changed it, but we wasted fours hours gardening. This morning was fast-paced in the sand but then the rocks turned the day into hell.
Punctured tyre after punctured tyre. Our pneumatics are not adapted to this type of terrain. This rally is giving me a lot of ideas to develop the Drakart, there's a real potential and it's frustrating to have a tyre problem.
I am not surprised with the potential but I am happy. »
Internet : www.npo.fr
- Lydia Arpizou - photos NPO
More reports from this category all copyright automobilsport.com.
