-
Central Europe Rally,
- Leg
5,
- 24
April 2008
Volkswagen driver Sainz second overall thanks to third leg win
Wolfsburg (24 April 2008). Thrilling battle for seconds on leg five
of the Central Europe Rally: in the fight for the overall win,
Volkswagen works drivers Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn (E/F) made a
major step forward by leaping up from fifth to second position.
On the way to their third leg win – the fifth for the Race Touareg 2
in this rally and its 66th altogether – Sainz/Périn reduced the lead
of current leader Stéphane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi) by more than
three and a half minutes. Prior to the final two legs, the
Volkswagen pairing lies just 22 seconds behind the leading Frenchman
Stéphane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi).
By finishing fifth in today’s loop starting and finishing in
Veszprem, Hungary, Dieter Depping/Timo Gottschalk (D/D) also kept
their great chances alive – despite having suffered a tyre puncture.
The German pairing holds fourth position, about three minutes behind
the front-runner. Meanwhile Carlos Sousa/Andreas Schulz (P/D) in the
Race Touareg entered by customer team Lagos gained three positions
to now hold sixth place in the overall rankings, with five days of
the rally contested.
At the same time, Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (RSA/D)
encountered cruel luck on the fast 210-kilometre leg – the longest
of the Central Europe Rally to date. On a deep bump that wasn’t
noted in the road-book, the rear of the car got airborne and the
Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 of the previously second placed pairing
somersaulted, with driver and co-driver surviving the crash
unharmed. However, the incident put an end to the rally for the
South African-German duo. On Friday, the drivers will have to
contest another two special stages with a total distance of about
200 kilometres and on Saturday, this new event on the Cross Country
Rally calendar will end with its seventh leg in Balatonfüred.
Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)
"The most important news for Volkswagen: Giniel de Villiers und Dirk
von Zitzewitz are in good health, following their massive accident.
A fact demonstrating that the drivers also can fully rely on the
safety features of the Race Touareg. In terms of the sporting
action, we can be delighted with the leg win of Carlos Sainz as he
succeeded in reducing the lead of Stéphane Peterhansel considerably.
Now, he is just seconds behind and I’m confident that we will be
able to keep on battling it out for the win.”
#201 – Carlos Sainz (E), 1st place (leg) / 2nd place overall
"Quite obviously, I’m very happy with our achievements as it was a
really good day for us. Our Race Touareg runs as reliable as a Swiss
watch. And, far more important: the handling of our car is just
great. Lying merely 22 seconds behind the leader, we are in a
promising position now. Hence, our order for final two days will be:
maximum attack.”
#209 – Carlos Sousa (P), 8th place (leg) / 6th place overall
"Altogether, our day was okay – despite some trifles costing us some
time, again. There’s nothing you can do about it: in this rally,
things don’t run perfectly for us – but quite alright. Still: I’m
quite happy with the result of this leg.”
#213 – Dieter Depping (D), 5th place (leg) / 4th place overall
"The day began really well and on the first long special stage, we
gained some time, compared to the front-runners. Unfortunately, we
suffered a puncture in the second stage that, apart from this
incident, suited us well, with its woody sections. To change the
wheel cost us two minutes and one position in the overall standings.
I’ll keep on obliviously driving my pace on the two final days as
finishing fourth in my first rally at the wheel of the Race Touareg
would be a nice result. But who knows? Perhaps, we can do even
better.”
#203 – Giniel de Villiers (RSA), accident
"A big compliment to Volkswagen. The Race Touareg is an extremely
safe car. Despite having somersaulted six times today, myself and my
co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz survived the incident absolutely
unharmed – apart from having made slight contact with the car,
several times. On a bump, the rear got airborne and the car
somersaulted over its front. It was neither a driving nor a
navigation mistake but just bad luck. Other competitors also had
their difficulties there. It’s a real pity as things went well for
us up to this point. After all, we were the quickest when crossing
the first check point.”
Standings after leg 5, Veszprem (HU) – Veszprem (HU); 211/318 km Leg
5/Total
Pos.; Team; Vehicle; Leg 5; Overall time
1. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (F/F); Mitsubishi Pajero
Evolution; 2h19m18s (4th); 7h29m53s
2. Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn (E/F); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2;
2h15m46s (1st) + 22s
3. Nani Roma/Lucas Cruz Senra (E/E); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution;
2h17m03s (2nd) + 2m38s
4. Dieter Depping/Timo Gottschalk (D/D); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2;
2h20m24s (5th) + 3m07s
5. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F); Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution;
2h18m02s (3rd) + 3m08s
6. Carlos Sousa/Andreas Schulz (P/D); Volkswagen Race Touareg 2;
2h23m01s (8th) + 21m11s
7. Bruno Saby/Alain Guehennec (F/F); BMW X3 CC; 2h24m43s (9th) +
31m12s
8. Philippe Gache/François Flick (F/F); SMG Buggy; 2h27m13s (10th) +
44m18s
9. Miroslav Zapletal/Vladimir Nemajer (CZ/CZ); Mitsubishi L200;
2h34m36s (12th) + 44m43s
10. Robert Baldwin/Kevin Heath (USA/USA); Hummer; 2h22m07s (7th) +
49m54s
Public Volkswagen Motorsport website:
www.volkswagen-motorsport.com
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