The champion Nasser Al Attiyah I knew I had to win Stage 4, San Juan-La Rioja (669 km) of Route 40 Challenge in it W2RC FIA -fourth date of the World Rally Raid Championship- to get to the top of the race with his Hunter and that is what he did on the penultimate day of the great Argentine race. The Qatari is now traveling to the last, ahead of Yazzed Al Rajhi -Toyota Overdrive- who had been the leader since last Monday. The Argentine Sebastián Halpern has placed 3rd with his Mini JCW.
With good weather (22°C), 34 cars started near ‘La Difunta Correa’, in Vallecito, to cross the dunes of the place and then head north towards the Province of La Rioja. Where they will cross Zolca and the surroundings of the Anzulón Reservoir, to finish near Olpas, closing a 370 km special. travel.
Al Attiyha, who started second on the day, led the race from the beginning and when he left the San Juan terrain – first 176 km – he already had the difference to move to the front of the general standings over the Saudi’s Toyota. Al Rajhi had had problems with the suspension of his ‘Hilux’ in the ‘bumpies’ that followed the dunes and although the second part was lighter, he would recover some of the lost time, but not enough.
The fast slopes of La Rioja allowed Nasser to control his pace and secure the day’s victory over Al Rajhi +3.08, Halpern +16.48 and Krotov.
In a race with many stops by the protagonists to complete the podium, the Brazilian Lucas Moraes broke the suspension of his Toyota at KM81; Cristian Baumgart stopped with his Hunter at KM94 and Quintero, who had already stopped in the first half, did it again twice, losing 35′ at KM323. This opened the door to the podium for Halpern and his Mini from Mendoza.
The overall standings now have Al Attiyah ahead, followed by Al Rajhi +47, Halpern +37.47, Krotov +54.43, C. Baumgart +1.05.20, Moraes +1.09.14 and Quintero +2.21.42.
A situation with his seat belt unfastened has led Al Attiyah to investigate a possible penalty that the FIA stewards are studying at the time of going to press. It could have determining effects on the classification.
In the Challenger, Nicolás Cavigliasso led the first part of the dunes with his Taurus T3 Max, but at the exit of this sector, the Lithuanian Rokas Baciuska tipped the balance in his favor and held on to win the stage.
“We set a good pace throughout the special, we only lifted a little in the ‘fesh-fesh’ to avoid risking a punctured tire and there Rokas made a little difference to us,” ‘Nico’ told us at the end.
The special went to Baciuska -CanAm-, Cavigliasso +3.28, Dania Akeel -Taurus BBR- +5.21 and Gastaldi +11.12.
In the general classification, Baciuska leads Cavigliasso -Taurus- +9.23s, Dania Akeel -Taurus- +22.52, Marcos Gastaldi -Taurus- +23.37s and Hernán Garcés -CanAm- +55.36, completing the five best positions. L. Del Río, N. Lafuente and J. Cerdá Araya are behind on the penultimate day of competition.
In the SSV, Ricardo Ramilo -Can Am- wins over Rebeca Bussi -CanAm- +14.51.
In the Open division, always with a good difference, Jeremías González Ferioli -CanAm- from Cordoba marches to the definition of the race, followed by N. Gagliardi and L. López. Alfredo Olmedo finished third in the first part of the special, but suffered a broken gearbox and is studying whether he will reengage for the end of the race.
Tomorrow, Stage 5 La Rioja/Córdoba -218 kms. of special and 301 kms. link-. To the south of Tuclame, the machines will start towards Tosno, Ciénaga del Coro and, after crossing Route 38, they will go up to Estancia La Candelaria, and then go down towards the end in Molinari. At the 15th hour, in the Chateau Park, the final press conference – open to the public – and the coronation of those arriving on the Final Ramp will take place. A nice ‘show’ for all Cordoba fans.
Chain 3 Motorfrom the La Rioja Superdome, Campamento DR40, with photographs of DR40.
