In Today's Stage, YAZEED and the HILUX Returned from BOLIVIA with the First Victory in the Auto Category for a TOYOTA Vehicle
Today marked the second day of the marathon stage. The SS (Special Stage) was originally planned to run around the perimeter of SALAR DE UYUNI, but at the last minute it was decided to cross the salt lake which is dried out as there has not been much rain. Five machines at a time lined up side by side to leave the bivouac, tracing straight lines in the white salt lake.
Today, YAZEED ALRAJHI (#325 YAZEED RACING) finally placed first in a stage, the first Auto Category victory for a TOYOTA vehicle in the DAKAR 2015. Smiling, YAZEED said it was fun to start together with four other vehicles. He said, "Our top speed is inferior to other competitors who are ranked ahead of us, but we were able to remain disciplined and manage the race today." GINIEL DE VILLIERS (#303 IMPERIAL TOYOTA) faced a brake problem and was forced to run using only the front brakes. Moreover, it was unfortunate that his view was blocked by sand dust stirred up by a helicopter flying low near his machine. In the end he finished 4th in the stage.
In the Production Category, NICOLAS GIBON (#345 TEAM LAND CRUISER) ran side by side with teammate, JUN MITSUHASHI (#343) in order to provide support to JUN who was unable to completely rectify the steering system problem that developed yesterday. They safely reached the finish line together. ALEJANDRO YACOPINI (#348 TOYOTA YACOPINI), 3rd in the category, joked that it was awful having to sleep in the same room with all the other competitors last night. It seems he is really enjoying the DAKAR.
Tomorrow is a rest day. Mechanics will thoroughly go over the machines that survived the two-day marathon stage and the competitors will enjoy a brief rest.
How are Local Reports Delivered around the World?
There are Journalists and PR people sent by teams and automakers from all over the world covering the DAKAR RALLY. Several modes of transport are available to them. Some use airplanes or buses provided by the organizers to move from bivouac to bivouac. Some opt for greater freedom and drive vehicles on their own. Some photographers install roll cages on vehicles similar to the rally machines and drive the same route as the competitors. In order to send the gathered information all over the world, these media related people get together at the Media Center set up at each bivouac where electricity and wired LAN are available. However, when too many people use the Media Center, it becomes difficult to get a good Internet connection. Some who have their own vehicles drive into the town to write their articles or edit photographs and videos at cafés. The Wi-Fi at local cafés sometimes provides a faster connection than the wired LAN at the Media Center.
