Africa Eco Race 2010

[Jenna]

The Africa Race was the brain child of a group of disgruntaled ex-dakar racers, its been set up as much as possible to take the event back to the days when in my opinion it was in its hay day and that to me is its biggest attraction

yep there some great entries, this rally is about people competiting not big multinational companies chucking rediculas piles of cash at a car for PR bragging rights!.. I was brought up with Simbugs, Fouquets the Bowlers and love the whole 'anyone can afford to take part ethos'... the UK has for so many years been the hub of this sort of engineering and a return to old school rally-raiding is brill

[Jenna]

LEG 4: MRHIMINA –AGADIR - January 2nd 2010

Liaison: 0 km – Special Stage: 300,30 km – Liaison: 351,14 km

Last straight before Agadir…

There was no way that this fourth timed stage could be called ‘easy’, but, once again, the wonderful mountain scenery definitely made it worthwhile !

From the 70 kilometre point until the finish line, the route was extremely varied… The track, which was often rocky, went through saline lakes, bumps, dips, soft sand, major wadis with vegetation, up hill and downhill into beautiful valleys… Even if the navigation became easier towards the end, it was better to remain between the cairns … when there were any…

Blue on the track !

Today saw a second consecutive stage win for Jean-Louis Schlesser, ahead of his team-mate François Lethier. The gap was considerable, and the ‘blues’ are disappearing into the distance, leaving Jacky Loomans 57 minutes behind. The surprise of the day was Jean-Jacques Jousseau, third on today’s stage with his Toyota. For his very first rally, the Parisian put in a perfect performance, setting the right pace and with no mistakes from his navigator Fréderick Fourdraine. Well done, gentlemen ! However, it was a bad day for Jacky Loomans, who lost time after suffering a puncture, and losing his way in the saline lake. Edmond Pelichet solved his radio and Terratrip problems, and when the material works properly, the results come too… a superb 5th place finish ! Vincent Demonceaux and José Castan continue their journey with clockwork-like regularity, 6th today and 6th overall. As for Jérôme Pelichet, who came close to throwing in the towel this morning (4 km after the start), finally reached the finish line having added six litres of oil and offered up many prayers to keep his engine pressure up. In the Egyptian clan, there were no particular problems for ‘Mido’ today, who was however complaining of back pain. As for Karim El Zanaty, his apprenticeship of the Moroccan tracks is continuing. Behind the wheel of the Cotel Buggy, Gilles Florin was being philosophical : It’s a long way to Dakar… Miroslav Kubicek is enjoying himself day after day … his Range Rover is running like clockwork and the driver is smiling !

Among the trucks, Noël Essers set the best time. The Belgian driver played the right hand with perfect navigation, despite two punctures. As for Miklos Kovacs, he had quite a scare when the cabin of his Scania started to move, 50 km from the finish line. The Hungarian has kept the lead of the overall classification, 22 minutes ahead of Elisabete Jacinto. Speaking of Elisabete, she had some electronic problems today, and having led for much of the special stage, she lost time towards the end.

In the bikes category, Giovanni Stefani was the fastest today. Convinced he had fallen to the last place due to two punctures to his fuel tank, the Italian finally crossed the finish line with a 25-minute lead. At the same time, he has taken the lead in the overall classification. The rest day tomorrow in Agadir will be welcome for everyone. A perfect opportunity to get both the competitors and their vehicles back in top condition !

Jean-Louis Schlesser – Buggy Schlesser
« The special stage was fast, but there was plenty of navigation. We had to look for the route going through a wadi, but it was nothing compared to yesterday ! We will take advantage of this rest day to maintain the cars and to rest. Over these first four stages, we have put in a good team performance.”

François Lethier – Buggy Schlesser
« For the buggies, today’s stage was a great playing field. Up until now, the overall result is quite satisfactory… In Mauritania, it will be another story… »

Jean-Jacques Jousseau – Toyota
“We are already very pleased to have got this far. For our first rally, we are trying to follow the pace. It was a superb stage, and we are more than satisfied with the result. Like an old couple, Fréderick and I have had a few arguments but everything is going well…”

Jacky Loomans – Nissan Navara
“ Problems ! First of all we got stuck in some rocks and sand, while looking for the way out of a wadi. Afterwards, we kept on going forwards and backwards over the saline lake trying to find the right route. We lost a lot of time today.. too much time. The rest day will do us good, before facing the second part.”

Jérôme Pelichet – Bowler Wildcat
« I don’t know how we managed to get to the finish line… we added six litres of oil, and over the last five kilometres, the oil pressure light came on ! The mechanics worked all night on the car just so that we could take part. The rest day will be used to get our engine back in condition, to find some spare parts and be ready to carry on…”

Noël Essers - MAN
« We had a good stage yesterday and set the best time today, so it’s perfect ! I did my best despite two punctures, and if this carries on… we’ll get to Dakar ! »

Elisabete Jacinto – MAN
«The stage was fast, but at about 20 km from the finish line, the truck stopped… We had thought that this problem with an electronic sensor had been fixed after we had the same problem on the Shamrock… It’s not fair, as we’d been in the lead throughout the stage and this problem spoiled everything !”

Giovanni Stefani – Yamaha
« I am really happy !!! Despite the fact that my fuel tank punctured twice, I’m in the lead … when I thought I’d be last… Tomorrow, we’ll have to put the bike back in condition and prepare everything for the rest of the event… “

[Jenna]

Rudy Goeminne's Audi power buggy

image: LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images

hate bobtailed range rovers with a passion but nice to the old buckets up there fighting with the young guns

image: LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images

[Jenna]

sorry for the poor quality of the image but i just had to post it anyway as i love this pic.... the talented Elisabete Jacinto and her mighty MAN race truck being preped for the rally.

[Snaphappy]

Nice one Jenna ! Seen a bit of coverage from Polsat TV.The overnight looks a bit like 80's Dakar That AUDI body work looks sooo wrong, don't it ?

Yes it maybe wrong but I'd love a cabby in it
and to be able to control it

[Jenna]

updates...

LEG 4: MRHIMINA –AGADIR - January 2nd 2010
Liaison: 0 km – Special Stage: 300,30 km – Liaison: 351,14 km

Last straight before Agadir…
There was no way that this fourth timed stage could be called ‘easy’, but, once again, the wonderful mountain scenery definitely made it worthwhile !

From the 70 kilometre point until the finish line, the route was extremely varied… The track, which was often rocky, went through saline lakes, bumps, dips, soft sand, major wadis with vegetation, up hill and downhill into beautiful valleys… Even if the navigation became easier towards the end, it was better to remain between the cairns … when there were any…

Blue on the track !
Today saw a second consecutive stage win for Jean-Louis Schlesser, ahead of his team-mate François Lethier. The gap was considerable, and the ‘blues’ are disappearing into the distance, leaving Jacky Loomans 57 minutes behind. The surprise of the day was Jean-Jacques Jousseau, third on today’s stage with his Toyota. For his very first rally, the Parisian put in a perfect performance, setting the right pace and with no mistakes from his navigator Fréderick Fourdraine. Well done, gentlemen ! However, it was a bad day for Jacky Loomans, who lost time after suffering a puncture, and losing his way in the saline lake. Edmond Pelichet solved his radio and Terratrip problems, and when the material works properly, the results come too… a superb 5th place finish ! Vincent Demonceaux and José Castan continue their journey with clockwork-like regularity, 6th today and 6th overall. As for Jérôme Pelichet, who came close to throwing in the towel this morning (4 km after the start), finally reached the finish line having added six litres of oil and offered up many prayers to keep his engine pressure up. In the Egyptian clan, there were no particular problems for ‘Mido’ today, who was however complaining of back pain. As for Karim El Zanaty, his apprenticeship of the Moroccan tracks is continuing. Behind the wheel of the Cotel Buggy, Gilles Florin was being philosophical : It’s a long way to Dakar… Miroslav Kubicek is enjoying himself day after day … his Range Rover is running like clockwork and the driver is smiling !

Among the trucks, Noël Essers set the best time. The Belgian driver played the right hand with perfect navigation, despite two punctures. As for Miklos Kovacs, he had quite a scare when the cabin of his Scania started to move, 50 km from the finish line. The Hungarian has kept the lead of the overall classification, 22 minutes ahead of Elisabete Jacinto. Speaking of Elisabete, she had some electronic problems today, and having led for much of the special stage, she lost time towards the end.

In the bikes category, Giovanni Stefani was the fastest today. Convinced he had fallen to the last place due to two punctures to his fuel tank, the Italian finally crossed the finish line with a 25-minute lead. At the same time, he has taken the lead in the overall classification. The rest day tomorrow in Agadir will be welcome for everyone. A perfect opportunity to get both the competitors and their vehicles back in top condition !


Jean-Louis Schlesser – Buggy Schlesser
« The special stage was fast, but there was plenty of navigation. We had to look for the route going through a wadi, but it was nothing compared to yesterday ! We will take advantage of this rest day to maintain the cars and to rest. Over these first four stages, we have put in a good team performance.”

François Lethier – Buggy Schlesser
« For the buggies, today’s stage was a great playing field. Up until now, the overall result is quite satisfactory… In Mauritania, it will be another story… »

Jean-Jacques Jousseau – Toyota
“We are already very pleased to have got this far. For our first rally, we are trying to follow the pace. It was a superb stage, and we are more than satisfied with the result. Like an old couple, Fréderick and I have had a few arguments but everything is going well…”

Jacky Loomans – Nissan Navara
“ Problems ! First of all we got stuck in some rocks and sand, while looking for the way out of a wadi. Afterwards, we kept on going forwards and backwards over the saline lake trying to find the right route. We lost a lot of time today.. too much time. The rest day will do us good, before facing the second part.”

Jérôme Pelichet – Bowler Wildcat
« I don’t know how we managed to get to the finish line… we added six litres of oil, and over the last five kilometres, the oil pressure light came on ! The mechanics worked all night on the car just so that we could take part. The rest day will be used to get our engine back in condition, to find some spare parts and be ready to carry on…”

Noël Essers - MAN
« We had a good stage yesterday and set the best time today, so it’s perfect ! I did my best despite two punctures, and if this carries on… we’ll get to Dakar ! »

Elisabete Jacinto – MAN
«The stage was fast, but at about 20 km from the finish line, the truck stopped… We had thought that this problem with an electronic sensor had been fixed after we had the same problem on the Shamrock… It’s not fair, as we’d been in the lead throughout the stage and this problem spoiled everything !”

Giovanni Stefani – Yamaha
« I am really happy !!! Despite the fact that my fuel tank punctured twice, I’m in the lead … when I thought I’d be last… Tomorrow, we’ll have to put the bike back in condition and prepare everything for the rest of the event… “

[Jenna]

yesterdays rest day gossip


REST DAY – AGADIR – 3rd January 2010
An update with René METGE…
« Agadir means the rest day this year, and it will do everyone a lot of good ! My first real satisfaction is to note that everyone is present. Even if some have had some mechanical problems, everyone has reached Agadir. I am also satisfied with the reaction the competitors have had to the route. They like it, and they have said so. Drivers and co-drivers are both enjoying themselves equally. The reconnaissance team has done an excellent job, and the corrections to the road-book are really minimal, with approximately three to four additions per day.

On the sporting level, the navigation has sometimes made the difference on the first part of the event. Those with less experience may have suffered a bit, but it seems as if they are now more confident, and everything should improve from now on.

I would like to thank the authorities in Morocco : the Police and the Royal Gendarmerie. Their supervision and the organisation of the bivouacs has been perfect.

As for the rest of the route, the rally will head towards the sand tomorrow. I am not too worried in terms of crossing the dunes – there will be plenty of them to cross, but the time in the dunes in shorter. The navigation will be different, as it will now take place over the wide open spaces… another way to see things. But quite frankly, I think they will really enjoy themselves, which corresponds perfectly to the spirit that we want for this event. My biggest reward is the smile on the faces of the competitors in the bivouac every evening… even if they had a difficult day! »

Momo’s trials and tribulations…
« It will be a while before the family Asloun forgets this first week of the Africa Eco Race 2010… the popular « Momo », and has navigator (and daughter) Naella, have lived through some intense moments… A natural optimist, Momo has never, at any point, given up ! And as our Ch’timi likes to underline : « This week, we’ve had to eat dry bread … next week it will be bread and butter… and jam !!!!” Everything started to go wrong after two kilometres on the first special stage, when a shock absorber bolt gave way. A bit further on, the fuel injection sensor was out of order, meaning the car stopped dead. The father and daughter waited for the sweeper truck, returning to the bivouac in the middle of the night. They managed to come up with a repair, and the Ch’ti Kangoo was ready to take the start of the 2nd stage. But quite quickly, Momo realised that the repair would not hold. They headed for Oujda, for the nearest Renault dealer. But it was no use; there were no spare parts to be had. Turning back, the clutch showed signs of weakness. Arriving in La Momie, on December 31st … they had just enough time to say ‘Happy New Year’ before spending the night dismantling and reassembling the gear-box and changing the clutch, while noting that the sensor failure was probably due to this problem. After 107 km of the third special stage, the sensor began playing up again. Thirty kilometres later, they came to a halt. The sweeper truck, the St Bernard of the desert, stopped again to tow them the 130 km…until the front of the Kangoo became dislocated while going over a pothole. Ali de Zagora, a well-known local mechanic, was called to the rescue… The Kangoo had a facelift in Zagora’s workshops and received a new sensor, sent from Casablanca. They could finally head for Agadir and the rest day ! Tomorrow, the crew of the nr 311 will take the start of the fifth stage, heading for Greid Lareich.

[Jenna]

Last post for today, the guys have i think have been fighting to get all the behind scenes tinternet sorted....I had a mail from the Angel in the media team from Morocco yesterday to say that everything should be ok soon.

I'm pleased to say that after the server was given a stiff talking too for insubordination last night its now all up and running.. well done chaps and chapesses blighty is proud of you.

so the new LIVE page in English is HERE....africa race -live

the direct link into the TDcom/Iritrack tracking is HERE...iritrack-africarace2010

please support the guys and make this a success.

[Jenna]

LEG 5: AGADIR - GREID LAREICH - January 4th 2010

Liaison: 356,20 km – Special Stage: 304,51 km – Liaison: 78,51 km

Pure Delight…
The Africa Eco Race 2010 got back underway today after a well-deserved rest day at the seaside resort of Agadir. The timed stage between Agadir and Greid Lareich was beautiful, and generally very fast. Towards the end of the route, a few dunes made their appearance, without causing any problems…

From the start to the 103 km point, it was vital to follow the headings, while trying to stay on the main route. Various rocky descents took the competitors to a track which became gradually more sandy, but still very winding.

Towards the 250 km point, there were some winding routes between the dunes, with the terrain very soft in sections. To avoid the potential traps of the parallel tracks, it was essential to follow the right direction.

A second wind for Pelichet …Loomans watches and waits !

Once again, the ‘blues’ were in control over the 300 km timed stage. This stage, which was very fast, proved to be no problem for the Schlesser buggies, which set another one-two, Jean-Louis Schlesser in the lead. After spending the rest day working on his car, Jérôme Pelichet gained a second wind. In Agadir, the Wildcat gained a new piston, as well as a replaced air temperature sensor (which was probably behind the breakdown on the 4th stage). Setting the third-fastest time today, Jérôme was smiling again… But one Pelichet can hide another one… And his father, Edmond, enjoyed every kilometer today, and set the 4th fastest time.

As for Jacky Loomans, he was very ‘careful’ today. Slightly superstitious, the Belgian driver has previously been forced to retire on three previous occasions on the stage after the rest day… so today he was keen not to tempt fate. In sixth position, ‘Mido’, (5th overall), is still consistent and efficient behind the wheel of his Desert Warrior. Gilles Florin is following his strategy to the letter. Without hurry, he is ‘managing’ his race… After his performance in the fourth stage (3rd fastest) , Jean Jacques Jousseau was less successful today. But a broken exhaust and a blown rim did not affect team’s morale… as they were heard singing Charles Aznavour’s La Bohême during the stage ! Miroslav Kubicek, with the Range Rover Classic, is still enjoying himself, going – as he likes to say – flat out … with a top speed of 110km/h on the saline lake. The Swiss drivers are still smiling and enjoying every moment. Juan Aibar with the Toyota had a cloud-free day, without any problems, and the Spanish driver really enjoyed the exercise. Slightly late, but within sight of the bivouac, Stéphane Corso, « Momo » Asloun and Rudy Goeminne should soon join the rest of the pack.
Among the trucks, the duel between Kovacs and Jacinto carries on. Today, Elisabete gained two minutes on the Hungarian driver, who is holding on to the lead. Like a bodyguard, he kept up with Elisabete throughout the stage, after she overtook him a few kilometres after the start. Noël Essers put in a cautious stage, like Stéphane Olivier, who had a ‘clear’ run today.

On two wheels, Alberto Dottori put in a faultless performance, claiming full honours today with the stage win (with a lead of 2 minutes) and taking the first place in the overall classification, just two seconds ahead of Marco Capodacqua. However, Giovanni Stefani lost 27 minutes and is now 11 minutes behind the leader.

[Jenna]

Video curtasy of MTrally/Polsat