X-RAID MEDIA GUIDE - DAKAR 2018

new dimension

raid

MEDIA GUIDE DAKAR 2018

ARG

ORLANDO TERRANOVA

YAZEED AL-RAJHI KSA

BRYCE MENZIES USA

MIKKO HIRVONEN FIN

DRIVER

MINI John Cooper Works Rally

MINI John Cooper Works Buggy

MINI John Cooper Works Buggy

MINI John Cooper Works Buggy

ARG

BERNARDO GRAUE

TIMO GOTTSCHALK GER

PETE MORTENSEN USA

ANDREAS SCHULZ GER

CO-DRIVER

BORIS GARAFULIC CHI

KUBA PRZYGONSKI POL

NANI ROMA ESP

DRIVER

MINI John Cooper Works Rally

MINI John Cooper Works Rally

MINI John Cooper Works Rally

FILIPE PALMEIRO POR

TOM COLSOUL BEL

ALEX HARO ESP

CO-DRIVER

Chilecito

San Juan

11/1

12/1

13/1

14/1

15/1

16/1

17/1

18/1

19/1

20/1

20/1

T

F

S

S

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

Córdoba

Belén

Salta

Tucuman

Uyuni

La Paz

Arequipa La Paz

Córdoba

Total

Córdoba

Córdoba

San Juan

Chilecito

Belén

Salta

Tucuman

Uyuni

La Paz

Arequipa

10/1

W

14

13

12

11

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

San Juan de Marcona

9/1

T

3

San Juan de Marcona

Pisco

San Juan de Marcona

8/1

M

San Juan de Marcona

Prologue

STAGE

2

Pisco

TOWN FINISH

Pisco

Lima

7/1

Pisco

6/1

S

TOWN START

S

DAY DATE

4.042

165

481

347

204

423

512

86

301

445

506

114

206

11

241

Road Section

4.234

119

423

375

280

372

242

498

425

313

264

330

295

267

31

SS

8.276

284

904

722

484

795

754

584

726

758

770

444

501

278

272

Total

MOTORCYCLE / QUAD RACE KM

313

267

330

295

267

31

SS

FINISH PODIUM

4.329

119

368

522

280

372

242

498

425

REST DAY

4.464

165

559

269

466

423

512

86

301

445

665

114

207

11

241

Road Section

CAR RACE KM

8.793

284

927

791

746

795

754

584

726

758

932

444

502

278

272

Total

4.556

165

559

269

466

423

512

178

301

445

665

114

207

11

241

Road Section

4.154

119

368

522

280

372

242

380

368

313

267

330

295

267

31

SS

TRUCK RACE KM

8.710

284

927

791

746

795

754

558

669

758

932

444

502

278

272

Total

NEW DIMENSION X-RAID

The Dakar Rally is one of the biggest challenges - not only technically, logistically and physically, but also mentally. The vehicles and pilots as well as the entire team, are constantly pushed to their limits. The X-raid team has been tackling this challenge for over 15 years now. We fight our way through deserts, over stony slopes, high altitudes and withstand enormous temperature differences, rain and mud. Four victories at the Dakar Rally and countless successes at cross-country rallies all over the world, speak for the passion and team spirit that all of us have.

But X-raid is more than just a motorsport team: vehicles such as the BMW X3 CC, the MINI ALL4 Racing or the MINI John Cooper Works Rally were developed by us in cooperation with our long-term partners and built at our headquarters.

In 2017 X-raid entered a new era. After 15 years of focusing on the development of all-wheel drive vehicles, the new MINI John Cooper Works Buggy is the first completely self-developed and constructed two-wheel drive vehicle which will enter the Dakar 2018.

In addition to developing and assembling the racing cars, we also provide them to use at cross-country events worldwide. Interested customers have the possibility to buy or rent our vehicles. We prepare the cars in our workshop and organize the entire logistics. Our mechanics and engineers take care of the preparation as well as repairing of the vehicles during the events.

Cross-country rallies take place all over the world, which why logistics are a very large and extremely important part of X-raid. The transportation of the equipment by our service truck within Europe or by ship or air freight to other countries is organized by us and is one of the daily challenges of our team. In 2017 alone, we competed in 14 races in 15 countries! At eleven rallies, the drivers in our vehicles reached a place on the podium, twice the top step. The young Pole Kuba Przygonski secured the second place in the World Cup for Cross-Country Rallyes alongside his first victory in the car category. For the Dakar 2018, X-raid will bring seven vehicles to South America: three MINI John Cooper Works Buggy and four MINI John Cooper Works Rally.

2002

• •

Foundation of X-raid 1st place - Baja Germany (Gregoire de Mévius) - BMW X5

2003

•

8th place - Dakar Rally (1st place diesel category) (Luc Alphand) - BMW X5

2004

• •

4th place - Dakar Rally (1st place diesel category) (Luc Alphand) - BMW X5 1st place - Cross Country Baja World Cup (Khalifa Al Mutaiwei) - BMW X5

2005

• •

1st place - Portuguese Off-Road Championship (Miguel Barbosa) - BMW X5 9th place - Dakar Rally (José Luis Monterde) - BMW X5

2006

•

9th place - Dakar Rally (Guerlain Chicherit) - BMW X3 CC

2007

•

6th place - Dakar Rally (Nasser Al-Attiyah) - BMW X3 CC

2008

• • •

Winner of the Portuguese Off-Road Championship (Filipe Campos) - BMW X3 CC 1st place - Cross Country World Cup (Nasser Al-Attiyah) - BMW X3 CC 1st place - Cross Country Baja Cup (Nasser Al-Attiyah) - BMW X3 CC

2009

• • •

8th place - Dakar Rally (Leonid Novitskiy) - BMW X3 CC 1st place - Cross Country World Cup (Guerlain Chicherit) - BMW X3 CC 1st place - Portuguese Off-Road Championship (Filipe Campos) - BMW X3 CC

2010

• • • •

4th place - Dakar Rally (Stéphane Peterhansel) - BMW X3 CC 1st place - Cross Country World Cup (Leonid Novitskiy) - BMW X3 CC 1st place - Portuguese Off-Road Championship (Filipe Campos) - BMW X3 CC Construction of the MINI ALL4 Racing

2011

• • •

4th place - Dakar Rally (Stéphane Peterhansel) - BMW X3 CC First victory of the MINI ALL4 Racing at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (Stéphane Peterhansel) 1st place Cross Country World Cup (Leonid Novitskiy) - MINI ALL4 Racing

• •

1st and 2nd place Dakar Rally (Stéphane Peterhansel and Nani Roma) - MINI ALL4 Racing All five MINI ALL4 Racing finished in the Top 10 1st place Cross Country World Cup (Khalifa Al Mutaiwei) - MINI ALL4 Racing

2013

• •

1st place - Dakar Rally (Stéphane Peterhansel) - MINI ALL4 Racing 1st place Cross Country World Cup (Krzysztof Holowczyc) - MINI ALL4 Racing

2014

•

1st, 2nd and 3rd place Dakar Rally (Nani Roma , Stéphane Peterhansel and Nasser Al-Attiyah) - MINI ALL4 Racing 9 MINI ALL4 Racing finished in the Top 12 1st place Cross Country World Cup (Vladimir Vasilyev) - MINI ALL4 Racing

2012

•

• • 2015

• • •

2016

2017

1st and 3rd place Dakar Rally (Nasser Al-Attiyah, Krzysztof Holowczyc) - MINI ALL4 Racing 4 MINI ALL4 Racing in the top 5 1st place Cross Country World Cup (Nasser Al-Attiyah) - MINI ALL4 Racing

• •

2nd and 4th place Dakar Rally (Nasser Al-Attiyah, Mikko Hirvonen) - MINI ALL4 Racing 5 MINI ALL4 Racing in the Top 12 Construction of the MINI John Cooper Works Rally

• •

Dakar Rally - 3 MINI in the Top 10 Construction of the MINI John Cooper Works Buggy

•

X-RAID IN NUMBERS •

4 Dakar wins

•

54 Dakar stage wins

•

more than 10 FIA world cup wins

•

approx. 14.800 timed kilometers driven at 10 rallies in 2016

•

28 top-ten positions with a MINI in 2017

•

4 MINI John Cooper Works Rally and 3 MINI John Cooper Works Buggy at the Rally Dakar 2018

•

14 drivers / co-drivers and 80 team members

•

20 nationalities within the team

•

13 trucks, 6 service cars and 5 press cars

•

500 tires incl. rims

•

aproxx. 40 tons of equipment

CREWS

CREWS

MIKKO HIRVONEN

#305

Date of birth: Place of birth: Place of Residence: Hobbies:

31/07/1980 Kannonkoski / FIN Jyväskylä / FIN Tennis, football, badminton, oldtimer, ice hockey

Dakar participations

2

2016, 2017

Dakar Rallies with X-raid

2

2016, 2017

4th place

Best Dakar position Other Successes

WRC Vice-Champion

MikkoHirvonen.com @mikkowrc /MikkoWRC @MikkoWRC /MikkoHirvonenWRC

2016 2008, 2009 2011, 2012

Date of birth: Place of birth: Place of Residence: Hobbies:

03/03/1955 Munich / GER Dubai / UAE Skiing

Dakar participations

24

Dakar Rallies with X-raid

6

2010-2012, 2015-2017

Dakar victories

2

2001, 2003

FIA World Cup Champion

2010-2013

Other Successes

#305

ANDREAS SCHULZ

BRYCE MENZIES

#310

Date of birth: Place of birth: Place of Residence: Hobbies:

Other Successes

21/08/1987 Mesa / USA Las Vegas / USA Dirtbiking

Red Bull Frozen Rush Champion

2015, 2016

2nd LOORRS Pro2 Championship

2015

3rd LOORRS Pro4 Championship

2015

SCORE Baja 500 Champion

2011, 2012, 2014

BITD MINT 400 Champion 2013 TORC Pro2 Champion SCORE Series Champion + Rookie of the Year

menziesmotorsports.com /BryceMenzies7 @BryceMenzies7 @brycemenzies7

2011 - 2013 2011

Date of birth: Place of birth: Place of Residence: Hobbies:

Other Successes

05/01/1984 Los Angeles / USA Las Vegas / USA Running, motorcycles

BITD MINT 400 Champion SCORE Baja 500 Champion SCORE Series Champion

@petemortensen

2013 2011, 2012, 2014 2011

#310

PETE MORTENSEN

YAZEED AL-RAJHI

#314

Date of birth: Place of birth: Place of Residence: Hobbies:

Dakar participations

Riyadh / KSA Riyadh / KSA Travelling, reading

3

Dakar Stage wins

1

2015 2016

3rd World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies

2014

5th WRC2

2012

5 Middle East Rally Championship

2012

th

3rd Middle East Rally Championship

YazeedRacing.com @yazeedracing /YazeedRacing @YazeedRacing /YazeedAlRajhi

2015 - 2017

11th place

Best Dakar position Other Successes

30/09/1981

2009

Date of birth: Place of birth: Place of Residence: Hobbies:

28/08/1974 Neuruppin / GER Rheinsberg / GER Enduro, cycling, hiking and cooking

Dakar participations

9

2007-2011, 2013-2017

Dakar victories

1

2011

@timo_gottschalk_4u timo-gottschalk.de

#314

TIMO GOTTSCHALK

ORLANDO #307 TERRANOVA

Date of birth: Place of birth:

Dakar participations Dakar Rallies with X-raid Best Dakar position Other Successes

/orly-terranova @terranovaorly @orlyterranova

11/10/1979 Mendoza / ARG

2 (Bike) 9 (Car)

2005, 2007 (Bike) 2009-2017 (Car)

7

2010, 2012-2017

5th place

2013-2014

Enduro Champion of Mendoza

1998, 1999, 2001

Silver Medal ISDE

2001, 2003

Date of birth: Place of birth: Place of Residence: Hobbies: Dakar participations Dakar Rallies with X-raid Best Dakar position Other Successes

@ronniegraue

12/05/1969 Mendoza / ARG Mendoza / ARG Climbing, car racing, tennis

1 (Quad) 6 (Car) 2 6th place Winner Desafio Ruta 40

2009 (Quad) 2011-2016 (Car) 2015-2016 2012 2015, 2017

#307

BERNARDO GRAUE

#302 Date of birth: Place of birth: Place of Residence: Hobbies: Dakar victories:

NANI ROMA 17/02/1972 Folgueroles / ESP Santa Maria de Merles / ESP Biking, skiing, climbing 1st place 2014 (Car) 1st place 2004 (Bike)

#302 Date of birth: Place of birth: Place of Residence: Hobbies: Best Dakar position:

ALEX HARO 14/03/1980 Barcelona / ESP Odena / ESP Cycling, skiing 4th place 2017

#312

JAKUB ‘KUBA’ PRZYGONSKI

Date of birth: Place of birth: Place of Residence: Hobbies:

24/03/1985

Best Dakar position:

6th place 2014 (Bike)

Warsaw / POL Warsaw / POL Motorsport, squash, drifting

#312 Date of birth: Place of birth: Place of Residence: Hobbies: Best Dakar position

TOM COLSOUL 20/04/1976 Tienen / BEL Landen / BEL Archery, cycling 1st place 2012 (Truck)

#317 Date of birth: Place of birth: Place of Residence: Hobbies: Best Dakar position:

BORIS GARAFULIC 11/07/1963 Santiago / CHL Santiago / CHL Family, rallies, hunting 11th place 2012 / 2014

#317 Date of birth: Place of birth: Place of Residence: Hobbies: Best Dakar position:

FILIPE PALMEIRO 11/07/1977 Portalegre / POR Portalegre / POR Skiing, fishing 9th place 2014

CAR

CAR

340 hp / 3250 rpm 800 Nm / 1850 rpm 2993 ccm Ø 38 mm 190 km/h

Performance

Torque

Displacement

Air-restrictor

Topspeed

4350 / 1999 / 2000 mm 2900 mm 1736 mm 1850 kg

Length / width / height

Wheelbase

Track width

Weight

Measures and weight

Diesel

Fuel

BMW Group TwinPower Turbo Six-Cylinder Diesel

Engine

Tyres

carbon-fibre-kevlar-body

Body

BF Goodrich 245/80R 16

Wheels

tubular steel frame

Body

AP disc breaks (320x32 mm) ventilated front/ ventilated & water-cooled rear

Xtrac 6 Speed Shift

AP Racing Clutch

Sadev sequential 6 speed

Chassis

Breaks

Differential

Clutch

Gearbox

Transmission

MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS RALLY

Main information display Driver information display

Speedlimiter on/off Jack activation

Start, Main Switch, Ignition

Gear-shift-leaver Handbrake leaver

Touchpanel (switches for fans, headlights, etc.)

Fire-extinguisher

GPS Trip-Master

Main fuses Speed-limiter set

Overwrite switches

Fuses for GPS and Tripmaster

Tripmaster

THE

COCKPIT

BF Goodrich 37x12,5 R17

Tyres

190 km/h

Topspeed

carbon-fibre-kevlar-body

Ø 38 mm

Air-restrictor

Body

2993 ccm

Displacement

tubular steel frame

approx. 800 Nm / 1850 rpm

Torque

Chassis

340 hp / 3250 rpm

Performance

Wheels

Body

Diesel

Fuel

TwinPower turbo engine based on a BMW production engine

Engine

Xtrac

Differential

3100 mm 1855 mm 1700 kg

Track width Weight

4332 / 2200 / 1935 mm

Wheel base

Length / width / height

Measures and weight

Brembo disc brakes (355x32 mm)

AP Racing Clutch

Clutch

Breaks

X-trac 6-speed shift

Gearbox

Transmission

MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS BUGGY

DAKAR

DAKAR

J. Terbiaut / J. Lemordant / A. Genestier (FRA/FRA/FRA)

F. Kottulinsky / G. Löffekmann (SWE/GER)

R. Metge / B. Giroux (FRA/FRA)

C. Marreau / B. Marreau (FRA/FRA)

J. Ickx / C. Brasseur (BEL/FRA)

R. Metge / D. Lemoyne (FRA/FRA)

P. Zaniroli / J. da Silva (FRA/FRA)

R. Metge / D. Lemoyne (FRA/FRA)

A. Vatanen / B. Giroux (FIN/FRA)

J. Kankkunen / J. Piironen (FIN/FIN)

A. Vatanen / B. Berglund (FIN/SWE)

A. Vatanen / B. Berglund (FIN/SWE)

A. Vatanen / B. Berglund (FIN/SWE)

H. Auriol / P. Monnet (FRA/FRA)

B. Saby / D. Serieys (FRA/FRA)

P. Lartigue / M. Périn (FRA/FRA)

P. Lartigue / M. Périn (FRA/FRA)

P. Lartigue / M. Périn (FRA/FRA)

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

Citroen ZX

Citroen ZX

Citroen ZX

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero

Citroen ZX

Peugeot 405 T16

Peugeot 405 T16

Peugeot 205 T16

Peugeot 205 T16

Porsche 959

Mitsubishi Pajero

Porsche 911 4X4

Mercedes 280GE

Renault 20

Range Rover

VW Iltis

Range Rover

Car

Granada-Dakar

Granada-Dakar

Paris-Dakar-Paris

Paris-Tanger-Dakar

Paris-Sirte-Cape Twon

Paris-Tripolis.Dakar

Paris-Tripolis.Dakar

Paris-Tunis-Dakar

Paris-Algier-Dakar

Paris-Algier-Dakar

Paris-Algier-Dakar

Paris-Algier-Dakar

Paris-Algier-Dakar

Paris-Algier-Dakar

Paris-Algier-Dakar

Paris-Algier-Dakar

Paris-Algier-Dakar

Paris-Algier-Dakar

Route

WINNERS OF THE RALLY DAKAR

Winners

Year

N. Al-Attiyah / M.Baumel (QAT / FRA)

S. Peterhansel / J.-P. Cottret (FRA/FRA)

S. Peterhansel / J.-P. Cottret (FRA/FRA)

2015

2016

2017

S. Peterhansel / J.-P. Cottret (FRA/FRA)

N. Roma / M. Périn (ESP/FRA)

2013

S. Peterhansel / J.-P. Cottret (FRA/FRA)

2012

2014

C. Sainz / L. Cruz (ESP/ESP)

N. Al-Attiyah / T. Gottschalk (QAT/GER)

G. de Villiers / D. von Zitzewitz (RSA/GER)

2009

2010

cancelled

2008

2011

Luc Alphand / Gilles Picard (FRA/FRA)

S. Peterhansel / J.-P. Cottret (FRA/FRA)

2006

2007

S. Peterhansel / J.-P. Cottret (FRA/FRA)

H. Masuoka / A. Schulz (JAP/GER)

S. Peterhansel / J.-P. Cottret (FRA/FRA)

H. Masuoka / P. Maimon (JAP/FRA)

2002

2003

2004

J. Kleinschmidt / A. Schulz (GER/GER)

2001

2005

J.-L. Schlesser / P. Monnet (FRA/FRA)

J.-L. Schlesser / H. Magne (FRA/FRA)

1999

2000

K. Shinozuka / H. Magne (JAP/FRA)

J.-P. Fontenay / G. Picard (FRA/FRA)

1997

1998

Mitsubishi Pajero

Peugeor 3008 DKR

Peugeot 2008 DKR

MINI ALL4 Racing

MINI ALL4 Racing

MINI ALL4 Racing

MINI ALL4 Racing

VW Race Touareg

VW Race Touareg

VW Race Touareg

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero

Schlesser-Renault

Schlesser-Renault

Mitsubishi Pajero

Dakar-Agades-Dakar

Asuncion-Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires-Rosaria

Buenos Aires-Buenos Aires

Rosario-Valparaiso

Lima-Santiago

Mar del Plata-Lima

Buenos Aires-Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires-Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires-Buenos Aires

Lisbon-Dakar

Lisbon-Dakar

Barcelona-Dakar

Clermont Ferrand-Dakar

Marseille-Sarm el Sheik

Arras-Madrid-Dakar

Paris-Dakar

Dakar-Cairo

Granada-Dakar

Paris-Granada-Dakar

STAGE 1: SATURDAY, 6TH JAN 2018 LIMA - PISCO Liaison: 241 km

Special Stage: 31 km

Total: 272 km

SAND GALORE In Peru, racers are plunged from the outset into the sand, the overriding theme of this five-day stretch of the race. This little starter will simply whet the appetite of the most hardened experts. Everyone else will be well advised to make the most of this stretch to improve the specific reflexes needed to tackle this type of terrain. Finesse will already be required to negotiate a downhill section towards the shoreline of a lake.

STAGE 2: SUNDAY, 7TH JAN 2018 PISCO - PISCO Liaison: 11 km

Special Stage: 267 km

Total: 278 km

CO-DRIVERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT The Pisco loop stage is 90% off-piste. This exercise in navigation offers the car drivers the privilege of setting off before everyone else... and that means no bike tracks to follow. The risk of bogging is reduced by the relatively cool morning temperatures, but the canyons of the first 40 kilometers of special stage will not make for an easy ride, nor will the series of dunes that is following.

STAGE 3: MONDAY, 8TH JAN 2018 PISCO - SAN JUAN DE MARCONA Liaison: 207 km

Special Stage: 295 km

Total: 502 km

A DAY FOR HARDENED “OFF-ROADERS” At this point, Dakar veterans will still be warming up. The day’s challenge will mainly be disputed off-piste, both across a chott and in the heart of the canyons. Bikes and quads will leave the main route for a fifteen-kilometer detour, without increasing the day’s total distance. Newcomers to the rally, some of whom will already have experienced some difficulties, will start to the pressure by this stage!

STAGE 4: TUESDAY, 9TH JAN 2018 SAN JUAN DE MARCONA - SAN JUAN DE MARCONA Liaison: 114 km

Special Stage: 330 km

Total: 444 km

GET IN LINE! The beach where the stopwatch is started lends itself perfectly to mass starts, with neat lines of 15 bikes and 4-abreast acceleration contests for the cars. After this sprint along the beach, the drivers will tackle one of the longest-ever sandy sections in the history of the Dakar: a total of 100 km, with dunes of all sizes! This special stage is where certain racers will get ahead, especially since the last canyon is a little tricky to find...

STAGE 5: WEDNESDAY, 10TH JAN 2018 SAN JUAN DE MARCONA - AREQUIPA Liaison: 665 km

Special Stage: 267 km

Total: 932 km

EACH GOING THEIR SEPARATE WAYS Feature of the day: bikes and quads will take a separate route from the cars and trucks. The race will start at daybreak, and follow the two different sections of special stage on the programme. The crews will therefore be the first to discover the sands of Tanaka, traversing terrain such as the 30 or so kilometers of mountainous dunes. The road to Arequipa will be long for everyone. And there may well be some late arrivals at the bivouac.

STAGE 6: THURSDAY, 11TH JAN 2018 AREQUIPA - LA PAZ Liaison: 445 km

Special Stage: 313 km

Total: 758 km

MOVING UP A GEAR The Dakar leaves Peru and the desert to take on the mountains. The route gets faster, barely leaving enough time for a peek at the many lakes along the way. The second timed section will start on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The Bolivian Altiplano requires competitors and crews to adjust to racing at an altitude of 2,500 meters. The day off in the capital will help them acclimatise.

REST DAY: FRIDAY, 12TH JAN 2018 LA PAZ Liaison: -

Special Stage: -

Total: -

STAGE 7: SATURDAY, 13TH JAN 2018 LA PAZ - UYUNI Liaison: 301 km

Special Stage: 425 km

Total: 726 km

ON THE ROAD AGAIN! Upon crossing the border, a change of software is required, which racers and co-drivers will have to install without delay on their hard disks. Against this new backdrop, the daily mileage increases and the dunes temporarily disappear from the landscape. Vigilance is called for on these good tracks that make up most of the route to Uyuni. Once teams reach the barracks, the vehicles are left in the service park, though deprived of their assistance teams for this marathon stage.

STAGE 8: SUNDAY, 14TH JAN 2018 UYUNI - TUPIZA Liaison: 86 km

Special Stage: 498 km

Total: 584 km

SEPARATING THE WEED FROM THE CHAFF The second part of this marathon stage also includes the longest special stage of the rally, covering nearly 500 kilometers. Before leaving the Altiplano, the competitors will be put to a tough test in high-altitude sand dunes 3,500 meters above sea level. This should start to give us a better idea of the leaderboard; the handful men or women capable of winning the Dakar will now be revealed.

STAGE 9: MONDAY, 15TH JAN 2018 TUPIZA - SALTA Liaison: 512 km

Special Stage: 242 km

Total: 754 km

NO ROOM FOR ERRORS An action-packed day lies ahead as the race enters Argentina, but the winner’s time will no doubt be one of the best of the fortnight. The route is windy in places, but fast as a whole. Those who manage to find their way through the rios of various sizes will also be able to keep good time. Competitors need to drive confidently and avoid any errors if they are to avoid jeopardizing their place.

STAGE 10: TUESDAY, 16TH JAN 2018 SALTA - BELÉN Liaison: 423 km

Special Stage: 372 km

Total: 795 km

NAVIGATION CONTEST IN THE RIOS The Dakar has covered pretty much all of this region… but the dunes that the racers will have to ride on the vast sandy plateau during the first part of the day are a new addition. Along the way, they will cross the path of the assistance vehicles on their way to Belén… and, for the first time, these will be allowed to intervene during the special stage. But beware! Time is ticking! At any rate, this is a navigation contest that will be decided in the river crossings at the end of the special stage.

STAGE 11: WEDNESDAY, 17TH JAN 2018 BELÉN - CHILECITO Liaison: 466 km

Special Stage: 280 km

Total: 746 km

SUPER FIAMBALÁ If the weather is particularly hot, reducing the firmness of the sand, this will be one of the toughest spots in Argentina… and potentially the place where a racer in good shape will be able to shine. Stéphane Peterhansel can attest to that. As in 2016, the previous day’s special stage times will define the starting order, with a mix of bikes, cars and trucks for the 25 fastest finishers. In the evening, the bike riders will stay in a separate bivouac for their second marathon stage.

STAGE 12: THURSDAY, 18TH JAN 2018 CHILECITO - SAN JUAN Liaison: 269 km

Special Stage: 522 km

Total: 791 km

A PAINFUL CHALLENGE Good physical management will be the key to success in this second marathon stage for the bike riders, whose arms will not be spared by the hundreds of twists and turns and stony sections they will have to endure.

The only way that car and truck crews will be able to get through this long day without getting stuck in the rios will be by carefully keeping to the road book.

STAGE 13: FRIDAY, 19TH JAN 2018 SAN JUAN - CORDOBA Liaison: 559 km

Special Stage: 368 km

Total: 927 km

KEEP IT COOL In this stage, car drivers will enjoy the dunes of San Juan at the start of their day‌ but will also have to cross an area of fesh-fesh, which will put their nerves to the test. Those familiar with the tracks of the Argentinian round of the WRC will then find the terrain to their taste, but there is still more to be lost than gained at this point. Throughout the history of the Dakar, many competitors have been known to let the title slip through their fingers the day before the finish!

STAGE 14: SATURDAY, 20TH JAN 2018 CORDOBA - CORDOBA Liaison: 165 km

Special Stage: 119 km

Total: 284 km

FOCUSED TO THE VERY END It’s time to celebrate - not only for the winners of the various categories, but also for all of the adventurers who manage to complete the 40th edition - in a city with one of the greatest passions for motor sports in the world. Before competitors can enjoy their “Fernando” - the name the “Cordobeses” give to the national cocktail - they will first have to cross around 30 rios. That’s just as many potential pitfalls, meaning that competitors cannot let down their guard until they have come to the end of the very last kilometer.

IMPORTANT TERMS AROUND THE DAKAR RALLY Bivouac

A camp at the end of every stage where all the teams and competitors erect their service sports. In addition to the medical centre and the media centre, the bivouac also features a big catering camp.

Briefing

During the rally, the organisation will hold a driver briefing on every evening.

In this briefing, special incidents of the day will be brought up and hints for the coming stage will be provided.

CP

At this checkpoint, the competitors have to collect a stamp on their time card to be able to prove that they have passed the checkpoint. Should a competitor have missed this checkpoint he will receive a time penalty.

Fast Assistance

As only competitors are allowed to help one another, during the Dakar, many teams enter a ‘Fast Assistance’. This fast assistance usually is a race truck that contests the event in the truck category and provides the competitor extensive support in the case of an accident or a technical problem. The truck has spare parts and tools on board.

Iritrack

A satellite supported system for the position control. With this system, the race control (PC course) can control the position and speed of every competitor. In case of emergency, the competitors can contact the PC Course by an integrated satellite phone.

Liaison (Road Section)

The liaison takes the competitors to the start and from the finish to the bivouac.

It must be completed by the drivers in a specified time.

Neutralisation

A neutralisation phase can be embedded in a special stage. In this area, no time is added to the competitors’ tally.

Parc fermĂŠ

Controlled and surveilled area where the race vehicles have to be parked over an until and set time. During this time, changes or even touching of the vehicles is strictly prohibited.

PC Course

The race control responsible for sports and safety-relevant aspects as well as for appeals.

Rest Day

On this day, at rally half-time, no stage is contested and the competitors and vehicles stay in the bivouac. The teams use this day for extensive maintenance works on their cars.

Sentinel

An acoustic and optical warning system. Competitors are warned if a faster vehicle is approaching from behind which is supposed to make the overtaking easier.

Service route

All the service cars – this means all the cars apart from the competitors and the press cars – will drive from bivouac to bivouac on this route, stipulated by the organisation.

Special stage

The part of the stage the competitors have to contest as race against time. The time from the start to the finish of the special stage is used for the evaluation of the position in the overall standings.

Speed zone

Here, the competitors have to abide by a certain speed limit that may amount to 30, 50 or 90kph. These zones were introduced to protect potential spectators and the terrain the competitors are driving through.

Stage

A stage comprises liaisons that take the competitors from the bivouac to the start and/or from the finish to the bivouac as well as the special stage.

Time card

The start and finish times are recorded on this document. In addition, the co-drivers collect the necessary stamps at the checkpoints (CPs).

Way point (WP)

A point on the route that has been determined by the organisation and has to be passed by the competitors. There are four different types of way points: WPV (start and finish), WPM (hidden way point), WPE (eclipse way point), WPS (safety way point).

Scrutineering

Here it is checked if the racing and service cars meet the technical regulations.

REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES ALLOWED VEHICLES

The class T1 comprises the prototypes and so, the MINI ALL4 Racing. The buggies also race in class T1. The close-to-production cars start in class T2.

Here, only certain components of the vehicles may be enhanced or changed and adapted to the forces they have to cope with. Group OP ‘Open’: this group comprises – inter alia – vehicles that have been designed and built according to the US-American Score regulations. The trucks race in the class T4. Furthermore, the field always features competitors who contest the Dakar in the ‘Alternative Energies’ category.

ENGINE

The used engines have to be taken from series production cars (more than 2.500 units per year). The following parts have to be the same as in the series production: Engine block, Crankshaft, Con-rods, Pistons, Valve train and connected pulleys, Cylinder head(s) as complete unit(s) (including valves, camshafts, etc.).

HELP IN THE CASE OF TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

The mechanics of a team may work on the cars only in the bivouac and on the liason when it is identical for race vehicles and service vehicles. While lending a hand during the stage is strictly prohibited for them. Only competitors may help one another.

Mostly drivers and navigators are able to solve minor problems without support.

In the case of major damages, they hark back to the race trucks that are entered by many teams as so-called ‘fast assistance’. In the 2017 Dakar, one of these race trucks will be there to support the X-raid MINI John Cooper Works Rally Team. A racing car may be towed to the finish by another competitor but should it be towed right to the bivouac without passing the time control at the end of the stage, the competitor will be disqualified.

The competitors may have satellite phones on board for the case of an emergency but using these phones while driving is prohibited. A radio connection and/or data transfer between the competitors and to the team is prohibited.

STARTING ORDER

Only on day one, the competitors will start into the stage according to their numbers. From day two on, the result of the previous stage will determine the starting order. This means that the winner of the previous stage will be the first to go out on the following day. Should a competitor who holds a top-15 position in the car category has encountered a problem and therefore will be further back in the starting order, he is allowed to demand up to three times to be moved to a better starting position. By doing so, he avoids having to overtake numerous slower competitors.

THE WAYPOINTS AT A GLANCE WPV (Visible Waypoint)

An information point indicating the time control at the start and finish at the bivouac.

WPS (Safety Way Point)

This is done to hint to dangerous points of the route. As soon as the competitors enter the three-kilometer radius around this point, they are guided by the GPS to the point. They have to pass it within a radius of 90 meters to be validated.

WPC (Control Way Point)

The new WPC is a 300 meter radius waypoint. It gets validated within the 300 meter radius but has to be found without GPS guidance. The WPC will mostly replace the WPM at the Dakar Rally.

WPM (Hidden Way Point)

When the competitors enter the 800 meter radius around the WPM, the GPS starts to work and guides the competitors to the checkpoint. The competitors have to pass the way point within a 200 meter radius to be validated.

WPE (Eclipse Way Point)

A point towards which the GPS, with all its capacities displayed on its screen, directs the competitor once the way point preceding this WPE has been validated.

The competitors have to pass within a 200 meter radius to be validated.

The competitors are supposed to find their way solely by dint of the road book.

Nonetheless, there are areas where the organisers mark the right path with warning tape. These areas are sensitive zones such as agricultural areas and highly populated or dangerous sectors. These are indicated in the road book with a special mark. Here the ASO ‘rewards’ every offens with draconic penalties, which even can lead to disqualification in case of repitition.

EVEN IN THE DAKAR SPEED CONTROLS Usually, the racing cars can freely choose their speed, in the special stages.

However, the organisers introduced the ‘speed zones’. Here, the competitors must not drive faster than 30, 50 or 90 kph. This applies in particular to those areas where the organisers expect a big crowd or crossing villages. If not in a special stage, the competitors have to abide by the local limits.

Meanwhile, the service cars have to permanently comply with speed limits. For cars, the speed limit amounts to 110 kph, for trucks to 90 kph. Whenever these vehicles enter a bivouac, their compliance with these limits will be checked by dint of the “Tripy” (an electronic road book). In case of several violations of the limit, the fastest racing car of the respective team may receive time penalties.

MARATHON STAGE Here the crews have to be one night without their teams and mechanics. The competitors and the service spend the night separated. The crews have to repair and service their vehicles on their own, and no additional tires, except the three ones which can be transported in the car, may be used.

PARTNERS

PARTNERS

PARTNERS

www.MINI.com

www.bmw-werk-steyr.at

www.shell.com

www.magna.com

www.akrapovic.com

www.motogp.com

www.mydeltaq.com

www.karcher.com

www.bfgoodrich.com

www.recaro-automotive.com www.reigersuspension.com

www.sparco.it

www.visionadvisors.cl

NOTES

X-RAID TEAM

Adam-Opel-Str. 4, 65468 Trebur, Germany E-mail: press@x-raid.de

Press contacts Dakar 2018 on site in Peru / Bolivia / Argentina x-raid.de/en /Xraid.Team @XraidTeam /XraidTeam @xraidteam

STEFANIE SZLAPKA

s.szlapka@x-raid.de +49 172 548 0 549

JAN CHRISTIAN STOLL

j.stoll@x-raid.de +49 172 548 0 532