Wolfsburg (16 January 2009). Volkswagen consolidated its one-two lead with Giniel de
Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (ZA/D) and Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/ZA) on the 13th
and penultimate leg of the Dakar Rally. On the way from La Rioja to Córdoba, which had
been shortened from 753 to 631 kilometres, the advantage of the two Race Touareg
vehicles running in front at the extremely tough desert rally increased yet again, despite a
deliberately restrained driving style because their closest rivals, Robby Gordon/Andy
Grider (USA/USA), lost 22m49s to the stage winners.
Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (ZA/D) and Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/ZA) on the 13th
and penultimate leg of the Dakar Rally. On the way from La Rioja to Córdoba, which had
been shortened from 753 to 631 kilometres, the advantage of the two Race Touareg
vehicles running in front at the extremely tough desert rally increased yet again, despite a
deliberately restrained driving style because their closest rivals, Robby Gordon/Andy
Grider (USA/USA), lost 22m49s to the stage winners.
.
Nani Roma/Lucas Cruz (E/E) rejoiced with Mitsubishi about their first stage victory, while
Volkswagen in a favourite overall position had opted for a defensive, no-risk driving style
driven by team spirit. Dieter Depping/Timo Gottschalk (D/D) in the Red Bull blue Race
Touareg finished the stage in fourth place, Miller/Pitchford in sixth and de Villiers/von
Zitzewitz in seventh position.
.
Volkswagen in a favourite overall position had opted for a defensive, no-risk driving style
driven by team spirit. Dieter Depping/Timo Gottschalk (D/D) in the Red Bull blue Race
Touareg finished the stage in fourth place, Miller/Pitchford in sixth and de Villiers/von
Zitzewitz in seventh position.
.
Giniel de Villiers ranks 2m20s in front of Mark Miller in the overall standings. Robby
Gordon in third overall is lacking as much as 1h27m to the front runners. With Dieter
Depping in seventh place, the third remaining Race Touareg before the final 792-kilometre
leg to Buenos Aires is among the top ten of the legendary desert classic that is being
staged in South America for the first time and that will end on Sunday with the drive across
the official finish ramp.
Gordon in third overall is lacking as much as 1h27m to the front runners. With Dieter
Depping in seventh place, the third remaining Race Touareg before the final 792-kilometre
leg to Buenos Aires is among the top ten of the legendary desert classic that is being
staged in South America for the first time and that will end on Sunday with the drive across
the official finish ramp.
Volkswagen Motorsport
