Dakar 2010 – Sainz leads Volkswagen one, two three
Release date:
17 January 2010
The Castrol-backed Volkswagen Motorsport team successfully defended its Dakar Rally title by dominating the 2010 running of the endurance classic taking first, second and third places.
After more than 9,000km of Argentina and Chile’s toughest desert and gravel terrain, two-time World Rally Champ Carlos Sainz clinched his maiden Dakar win, closely followed by Volkswagen team-mate Nasser Al-Attiyah just 2m12s behind in second place and Mark Miller in third.Fulfilling a dream
Sainz said: "I have fulfilled a dream by winning the ‘Dakar’. An enormous weight has fallen from my shoulders particularly as the fight for victory was extremely exhausting both physically and mentally. I’m incredibly happy to have achieved this goal after having been so close to victory on several occasions.
The battle for victory was closely fought between the leading Castrol-lubricated Race Touaregs. Despite Al-Attiyah winning the final stage of the event 36 seconds ahead of Sainz it wasn’t enough to take the lead from the Spaniard.
Sainz: "I have fulfilled a dream."
Al-Attiyah said: “On the one hand it goes without saying that it’s tough to have just missed winning the ‘Dakar’. However, on the other hand, I got the chance with Volkswagen to live my ‘Dakar’ dream all the way to the finish line, for which I am thankful.” Victory never in doubt
The Race-Touaregs never missed a beat. The only glitch was an electrical problem for 2009 winner Giniel de Villiers on day three, but the South African managed to fight his way back from 22nd up to seventh by the finish.
The Volkswagen Motorsport team won seven of the 14 stages. Although Sainz took fewer stage wins (Sainz two, Al-Attiyah four, Miller one) he was fast when necessary and relentlessly consistent. He took the lead on stage four and never looked back.
Volkswagen Motorsport boss Kris Nissen said: “We have achieved something historical with this one-two-three. We are not only unbeaten in South America, we are also the only manufacturer to have won the world’s hardest rally up to now with diesel technology.”
Dakar Rally 2010 - Overall top six:
1. Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz - VW
2. Nasser Al-Attiyah/Timo Gottshalk - VW
3. Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford - VW
4. Stephane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret - BMW
5. Guerlain Chicherit/Tina Thoerner - BMW
6. Carlos Sousa/Matthieu Baumel - Mitsubishi
Volkswagen Motorsport boss Kris Nissen said: “We have achieved something historical with this one-two-three. We are not only unbeaten in South America, we are also the only manufacturer to have won the world’s hardest rally up to now with diesel technology.”
Dakar Rally 2010 - Overall top six:
1. Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz - VW
2. Nasser Al-Attiyah/Timo Gottshalk - VW
3. Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford - VW
4. Stephane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret - BMW
5. Guerlain Chicherit/Tina Thoerner - BMW
6. Carlos Sousa/Matthieu Baumel - Mitsubishi
Team News: Cool head is key to success
Keeping a cool head is the key to back-to-back Dakar wins for the Castrol-backed Volkswagen Motorsport Team. That’s the opinion of Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen who has guided the team to two historic diesel-powered wins.“You've always got to stay cool-headed at the Dakar,” he says. “Only then will you have a chance to be at the very front in the end.” Wise words considering the German had to watch as his drivers battled it out to finish just 30 seconds apart after more than 14 days and 9,000km of competition.
Rally News: Dakar could return to Africa for 2011
Although the dust has barely settled on the 2010 Dakar, thoughts have already turned to the next year’s event and the possibility of a return to Africa. Dakar race director Etienne Lavigne said that the chances stood at 50-50.He said: “If the Rally was to leave South America for North Africa, areas such as Tunisia, Libya and Egypt could be an option.” A return to West Africa (Niger and Chad) is unlikely, as unrest in the area would continue to pose a threat to the event and to competitors’ safety.
Did you know? - 20 tonnes of mobile support across the Dakar
When the Castrol-backed Volkswagen Race Touaregs crossed the finish line in Buenos Aires, they were not the only Volkswagen Motorsport vehicles to have endured the rigours of the Dakar.Nicknamed the ‘Blue Angels’, two MAN 4x4 race trucks weighing 10 tonnes each also covered the entire rally distance carrying spare parts, tools and recovery equipment, to support the Race Touaregs. Both are a far cry from the commercial vehicles seen on the road. Each Castrol-lubricated truck has permanent four-wheel drive, 500hp and can generate 2,400 Nm torque from its 12.5-litre engine.
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