An (almost) faultless performance
Dakar 2018 |
Stage 13 |
San juan
> Cordoba
January 19
th
2018
- 02:49
[GMT -3]
Out of the 11 that left Lima on 6th January, there are 7 remaining SxS vehicles in the race. Patrice Garrouste is one of the drivers fighting for the lead in this category of the future.
If you are scared of dust, it is best to avoid them. Even in an SxS with a windscreen, the drivers often finish the day with a layer of sand or mud all over any unprotected or insufficiently covered body parts. This was the state Patrice Garrouste and his co-pilot Steven Grenier found themselves in on arrival at San Juan on completion of stage 12. “The dust comes in from underneath!” explained the driver, raggedly brushing it off as he got out of his vehicle. However, the dust is not the main problem preoccupying Patrice, who has just experienced his most difficult day since the start of the rally: “We broke the front of the vehicle after 40 kilometres, so we had to look after our little machine and finish at a gentle pace”. The two men are not worried about the repairs to be made once they reach the San Juan racing circuit, but rather that the time lost in the province’s river beds may put an end to their hopes of taking the title in the category. “Up until now, it was comfortable,” continues the man from Toulouse. “We’ve got through the dunes very well, even if we had a few small mishaps. As for the general standings, we were looking ahead because this morning the leader was 45 minutes in front. I think we gained some time from him, but then we had this setback, and there you go…” Although second place seems assured, according to the former truck driver now converted to light buggies, they are not likely to be able to catch up with Brazilian Reinaldo Varela: “If we’re talking value for enjoyment, there’s no contest. In any case, on this Dakar, I would have preferred to drive it in a Polaris, because it’s been very tough. In fact, we’ve seen plenty of trucks in trouble and even a good number withdrawing, more than usual, I think”.
