Monday, July 10, 2017
Stage 3: Ufa – Kostanay
Road connection: 148.51 km – Special stage: 329.25 – Road connection: 209.42 – Total: 876.39 km
This third stage of the Silk Way Rally is the last stage in Russia for all competitors that tonight will sleep in Kazakhstan, in the city of Kostanay. This town, founded by the Russian in 1898, was named Nikolaevsk to honor Tsar Nicholas, but in 1918, the Red Army took it over and gave it its new name. Today, Kostanay, located near the Tobol river, is a high center of education with numerous schools, libraries, museums and theaters, and more than 500 gyms.
After a 150 km road connection, Eugenio Amos and Sebastien Delaunay took the start of the third special in the 20th position. In fact, if yesterday the 2WD team finished 10th overall in cars, but in today’s special stage, cars and trucks are combined. The starting order was then different because nine trucks were fastest than the buggy. Besides, car #101 Yazeed Alrahji (Mini), asked to be reincorporated to the race in 11th position (according to priority list) and so, Eugenio and Sebastien were in the 20th place to launch the stage.
Like yesterday, the special stage was a challenge to navigators, who had to stay very focused on the changes of direction and the numerous tracks that across the fields and the crops. For drivers, some sections were quite technical and fast, and the terrain was convenient for the 2WD Buggy, which takes the 10th place of the day (provisional classification for SS3) in 3h37´43 and 26´59 from #104, Loeb and Elena, the stage winners, and 9th in the provisional overall ranking.
“At the beginning of the special, it was humid and slippery, but the rest was fine, inspire of the rain. This time, says Eugenio Amos, I really had fun on the fast tracks that made it great for steering. I think I am incorporating the endurance notion to rally raid because, like yesterday, I didn´t wanted to take too many risks and I drove safely. This shows its benefits again.”
Tomorrow, the SWR arrive to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, after a stage of 900 km.
Follow the 2WD Buggy http://www.silkwayrally.com/fr/main.html
