Well, that’s it. ‘Pack her up boyz’ Dakar Rally is done for another year.
Cars - With a very disrupted first half, an initial mud bath and then lots of very fast, relatively short stages. No suprise that the combination of Sebastian Loeb and Daniel Elena, had the measure of the field. After last year’s embarrassment, the factory Peugeot squad had brought a machine that seemed to have the answer to everything the 4wd’s had to offer.
Come the rest day, Loeb seemed to be sitting pretty. As ever though, he was circumspect of his overall chances. Rightly so.
After an ‘engine issue’ on the first day, putting him behind. Carlos Sainz had been storming back into contention.
Now into the Dakar proper, Loeb got lost, then bogged, then binned it in spectacular style. Dropping an hour, his chance of a podium had gone.
Meanwhile Sainz had stormed past Peterhansel to take the overall lead, the Peugeot’s obviously having moved the game on this year.
Sainz’s rally came to an end with gearbox failure (or ‘spacer failure’ whatever that means...?) leaving Monsieur Dakar comfortably in the lead, although with him openly worried about the Pug’s reliability... Nasser pushed (too) hard, but in the end, Peterhansel was able to easily sacrifice outright pace for the last few stages. He coasted the Peugeot home, to his 12 Dakar win. At 50 years old that is an amazing achievement, not to mention a Frenchman, in a French team, winning a French run event, this one is no doubt special for Stephane (and after being denied the win in the controversial ‘team orders’ 2014 Dakar) . However I don’t think we have seen the last of him yet. Other drivers beware, he had the speed to stay on the same page as Loeb and Sainz early on, and the skills and measurement to deliver when the going got tough. Makes you wonder how he would have faired given a WRC drive back in the day?
So in the end, a three manufacturer podium. Peugeot (Peterhansel), followed by MINI (Al Attiyah) and the Toyota (De Villiers). Once again, experience counts.
Notable mention to Mikko Hirvonen. Just missing out on the podium and with a stage win to his name on his debut. He shapes up as a future prospect. Also bike champion Cyril Despres, has found his feet and some speed in a car this year.
Peugeot has shown that they have made the 2wd, long travel suspension concept work. Where do the others go from here? Neither X-Raid (MINI) or Gazoo Racing (Toyota) are true factory efforts. I don’t see Toyota getting more involved considering the upcoming WRC program and the on-going WEC effort. I can see X-Raid maybe stepping up their game for next year, BMW doesn’t have a huge motorsport spend as it stands. But where is Mitsubishi? The only company with more Dakar history than Peugeot, and with the Japanese struggling with brand direction at the present, c’mon Mitsi, the time is now! Time for a Land Rover return? Perfect way to shore up the reputation of your luxury ‘off-road’ products. I want to see it, but I don’t think it will happen.
Just Bowlers for now then. Also in the T2 (production category), Land Cruisers triumphed, again.
Bikes - well Australian Toby Price looked like this was his Dakar right from the beginning. Un-fazed by the Honda pace onslaught, let alone the pressure of being the KTM spearhead and the replacement for a certain Marc Coma, the Australian just did exactly what was required. Reminiscent of Peterhansel’s drive in the cars, he always seemed to have his eyes on the main prize.
First Australian to win the Dakar, first person to win the Dakar at the second attempt. In 2013 he broke his neck, almost paralyzing himself. Expect him to be the man to beat in the bikes for some time to come. Hats off Toby. (btw can also be seen driving a Stadium Super Truck) Like Loeb, despite his talent, someone who is not a dick when he wins, rare.
Stefan Svitko rode an incredible rally to 2nd outright as a privateer. Expect him to be along side Price for next years factory KTM effort.
With Quintanilla (Chile) and Benevides (Argentina), taking the next two places, the South American winner is surely to come soon.
Trucks - well, Dutchman De Rooy (Iveco) brought it home, to do what his father never did and win a second Dakar. Last years winner Mardeev salvaged some respect for Kamaz bring it home in second, with truck rookie Villagra (also Iveco) taking 3rd. The Kamaz stranglehold broken, expect them to be very strong next year.
Quads - Patronelli brothers took 1 & 2. Marcus taking the win. Spectacular (and ‘My Dakar’ favourite) South African Brian Baragwanath took a stage victory to claim 3rd over Russian Karyakin.
With a change of government in Argentina, the future of the Dakar is somewhat up in the air. However with Bolivia featuring more (spectacularly) this year, Chile back on the agenda for next year and Uruguay and Paraguay both showing interest. Lets see what they can up with for 2017.