Monday 22nd January 2018

Carlos Sainz wins 2018 Dakar

Peugeot retires again with three more victories at the world famous rally

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The 2018 Dakar was said to be one of the most gruelling and difficult routes used since the rally relocated to South America in 2009, with plenty of crashes and injuries leading to retirements. Peugeot, of course, was intending on retiring this year no matter what the result as it turn its attention toward a future campaign in World Rallycross. Anywhere else that might have made their victory a little bittersweet - but not on the Dakar (where finishing alone is some achievement) and not with veteran Carlos Sainz behind the wheel.

The accompanying figures - published by the Peugeot Sport team - help put the win in context. Driving across three countries, with a total route length of 8,793km (which is like leaving your house in central London and driving to Seoul) is the least of it. The average altitude is 2100m (getting on for twice the height of Snowden) and Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz had to endure 6g of impact force while travelling at an average speed of 82.2km/h. And they still finished 43min ahead of the next competitor.

The pair won stages six and seven to take the lead of the rally and were then front runners until the end. It wasn't such plain sailing for the rest of the team: Loeb/Elena retired after an accident on SS5 that fractured Elena's coccyx. Peterhansel/Cottret - a 13-time Dakar winning driver - broke the left rear suspension on SS7 swerving to avoid a stricken quad and then on SS13 damaged the power steering after hitting a tree. Despres/Castera hit a hidden rock on SS4 destroying the right rear suspension before spending the rest of the rally helping their wounded comrades, enabling Peterhansel to finish fourth overall.

Peugeot Sport has entered eight Dakar rallies, winning seven, four in succession before the team's initial retirement in 1990 and now three back to back. It's quite the record, and while we wish them all the best in their new venture, it'll take the motorsport division quite some time to cover themselves in an equivalent amount of glory elsewhere.

 

[V8 FOU]

Well deserved win by El Matador.
One of the toughest Dakars ever. Sainz is a very wiley character, just took it "steady" and watched the others drop out.

Shame that Sam Sunderland went out after his victory last year - would love to have seen him do the double.
It is amazing (to me) that the Dakar isn't more popular. Cars, bikes, quads and trucks driven by teams with huge cojones (except the women entrants....). Brilliant TV coverage too. Main reason I keep my Sky subscription.

[Mr-B]

I knew the Dakar was long but didn't know it was London to Seoul long! Imagine doing that on a quad bike Or motorbike! Impressive feat just to finish.

[Turbobanana]

Mr-B said:

I knew the Dakar was long but didn't know it was London to Seoul long! Imagine doing that on a quad bike Or motorbike! Impressive feat just to finish.

Furthermore it appears to be run at twice the height of model Lisa Snowden, so about 12 feet I guess.

Would be much more impressive if they'd compared it to a relevant geographical feature, like Snowdon in Wales.

[BuzzBravado]

Mr-B said:

I knew the Dakar was long but didn't know it was London to Seoul long! Imagine doing that on a quad bike Or motorbike! Impressive feat just to finish.

The strain on the spine and legs must be incredible.

[tonyb1968]

What is really impressive is that this is only a 2wd vehicle!

[V8 FOU]

About 5000 miles in all.
There are a large number of back injuries, especially on the bikes. But the medical back up is superb. All the rider/driver needs to do is press the emergency button and a helicopter will be with them very quickly.
The logistics of the whole event is stunning. Setting up the bivouacs, food, medical, sweeper trucks etc.

There should be a retrospective on TV soon.

[dazzx10r]

And not forgetting that Carlos Sainz is infact 55 years old. Massive respect

[RemyMartin81D]

Always loved the Dakar racing trucks.