– P2 for Gaspari-Torlaschi
The third stage saw the Rally caravan explores the area around Belen with a loop of 460 km (265 km of timed section, 195 km of liaison). The competitors headed north to the Pie de Medano area, which the Dakar visited more than once. The first part took place to the east of legendary Ruta 40, while the second part will intersect with it and jump to the west of this strip of asphalt. On the menu: sandy tracks, dunes and technical navigation, with the challenge also of the altitude as the race reached the peak at 2,600 metres above sea level.
Stage 3 was a very positive day for the crew #400 Japanese Shinsuke Umeda and Maurizio Dominella – CST Polaris Xtremeplus, who continues to lead the T4 category 2R World Rally-RaidChampionship, P2 for Enrico Gaspari- Ricardo Torlaschi – ABC Tools Polaris Xtremeplus.
Shinsuke Umeda: « It was another good day and I enjoyed the stage in this area that have become so epic thanks to the Dakar. We had a mechanical issue after finishing the stage but thanks to the help of another competitor, Jeremias Gonxales Ferioli and his mechanic we came back to the bivioauc in Belen quiet early. We had a good stage, amazing landscapes and a varied terrain with a combo of sandy tracks and dunes. »
Enrico Gaspari: « Today the Polaris worked well and we are happy. We had a good pace and we finished second. There was some tricky terrain with many rocks under the sand in the river beds. »