A very tricky stage for Team Dessoude 18.01.2014: DAKAR 2014 Leg 12 - El Salvador / La Serena SS : 350 km - Liaison : 349 km (01/17/2014)

DAKAR 2014 Leg 12 - El Salvador / La Serena
SS : 350 km - Liaison : 349 km (01/17/2014)




The 12th and penultimate stage before reaching Valparaiso was not frankly a quiet walk. With a direct start from the bivouac of El Salvador, the stage was 350 km long, followed by 350 km of liaison. There was more to lose than gain to reach La Serena. Frédéric Chavigny and Guy Leneveu can confirm after « small » problems which could have been much bigger.


But the latest dunes and possibly the last chance to get stuck did not really change the positions on the top of the time sheet. All these efforts should be rewarded tomorrow with the celebration of the finish in the beautiful city of Valparaiso after the last 157 km stage...

 
Frédéric Chavigny expressed yesterday his wish to wear the colors of Team Dessoude to the final podium. Today, everything could have stopped in the dunes, without ever crossing the finish line ... But thanks to the tenacity and fury of the crew, the Proto Atacama returned tonight to the bivouac after many mishaps. Frédéric Chavigny comes back on this crazy day.


"I can confirm that the rally is not over until you have crossed the finish line. Today it was very hot for us! The special was 350 km and we started with 50 km in the dunes. After only 10 km, I had no brakes anymore... At the beginning of the dunes area at km 270, we stopped to deflate without much down pressure to "protect" the tire.


The temperature was increasing and ... the expansion tank exploded but we also found water on the exhaust. A big fear came over me thinking that the engine may give up. Fortunately, no! It was "only" the washer tank that had melted and the liquid which is spread on the exhaust."

 
"Finally, we removed the washer, patched up the expansion tank and put water every 7 or 8 km, while running with 500g pressure on tires. But it was not finished! Leaving the dunes area, we heard a strange noise. Surprise, a brake disc was off-duty and had even broken. I have only three wheels on four to brake until we arrive at the bivouac, and this time "quietly" ...




On last stage of the rally, we will be entitled to a hillclimb in a mountainous landscape. It will be tricky because we will start from the rear of the grid. “


Tomorrow will be the most beautiful day for the remaining crews. But beware, to the cactus lining the track of this ultimate stage of the 2014 edition. A stage of 157 km where the watchword is "caution" not to jeopardize two weeks of intense efforts. Then festivities in Valparaiso, the city of a thousand colors ...

   


Géraldine DESHAYES, photos DPPI