Volkswagen looks set to make a clean sweep of the top three positions in the 2010 Dakar, as the “World’s Toughest Race” enters its final stage from San Rafael to Buenos Aires, the finish point. In the overall lead after 13 stages is VW’s former WRC champion Carlos Sainz, but he’s only leading teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah by just two minutes and 48 seconds. American Mark Miller looks to have secured the final podium spot – he is over 31 minutes behind Sainz but almost two hours ahead of Stephane Peterhansel, the highest placed X-Raid BMW driver in fourth.
The penultimate stage was won by nine-time Dakar winner Peterhansel. With that, the Frenchman has won four stages in this year’s race, extending his record of stage victories to 55. The relatively smooth and fast wrap up stage will start today evening in South America.
Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.
Nice job VW to prove that ur 4X4 rocks… Where is Mitsu? I tot they are also quite good in Dakar?
problem with mitsu they make all the trucks now in thailand. back those days their pure japanese shogun racers were great.
Mazda 3 MPS said,
January 16, 2010 @ 12:23 pm
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for once, I have to agree with you..
The best Mitsubishi is currently at 6th position (SOUSA / BAUMEL), 04hrs26min32s behind the leading car.
Very unlikely that they will win the race…
one thing i can never understand. why is it called dakar when it is being raced in argentina
VW makes it a clean sweep of the top 3 positions for the first time ever.
A few Mitsu was in the top 10, but no more Shogans/Pajeros but "Lancers" – probably for marketing reasons they no longer promote Shogans/Pajeros.
Replying to Mazda 3 MPS who said : "one thing i can never understand. why is it called dakar when it is being raced in argentina"
First, the rally is being raced in Argentina AND Chile.
Second, the name DAKAR does not refer any longer to a geographical place, it is the registered trade mark of the rally.
There was no official factory Mitsubishi this time. Those Mitsu Lancers are run by privateers this time around.
And those Mitsu Lancers can't really keep up with the factory VWs and BMWs in terms of pace, in fact that was the performance during last year Dakar when the cars are still run by the factory Mitsubishi team. But interestingly , the reliability has improved this year (all cars finished the race) in the hands of the privateers.
Hopefully Mitsu will be back next year with a factory-backed effort.