Aksu – Aksu: 335,86km – Liaison: 54.17km – SS: 200,18 km – Liaison: 80,97km
Today the rally comes to the SS9, the last long special stage of 2024 Taklimakan Rally. The competitors will pass through the famous Wen Su great canyon which is known for the rugged terrain and elevation drop. The drivers need to control the competition rhythm and the co-driver should keep a close eye on the roadbook to finish the stage and step onto the podium.
In the auto category, the 200 km special stage is by no means an easy task to the drivers. Zhang Huijun in his CR6 racing car continues the excellent performance since yesterday and took the second stage victory, followed by Fan Gaoxiang from JJ Race and Lu Binglong.
For Zhang Huijun, the 2024 Taklimakan Rally is the combination of happiness and regret. « I failed to release the full potential during the first half of the competition, I did well the last 2 stages but the rally is about to finish. I should say that maybe this is the unique charm of the rally race, you can’t predict and you always have some regret. This year Taklimakan Rally celebrated it’s 20-year anniversary and this is also my 5th time to participate. I am looking forward to the challenge in 2025. »
According to Lu Binglong, « This stage is one of the most beautiful stages I ever seen. I feel like I have gone through the 4 seasons in one day: In the departure line, there is sunshine and I feel warm, then in the middle of the stage we saw the amazing snow mountain, the co-driver told me to slow down a little bit to admire the beauty. When we climbed up the mountain, snow together with heavy hail fall from the sky and the track became slippery, and the snow become rainfall while we drive down the hill. The snow mountain, the prairie, and the red folds of the mountains in distance turned the rally into a treat. I really enjoyed competing in this stage. »
In the Moto category, Neels Theric continues his domination in this group and today he also is the first to arrive the finish line, followed by his teammate, Family Fang: Fang Xiangliang and Fang Mingji. According to Neels Theric: « This stage is terrific; I really enjoyed my riding today as the scenery of the snow mountain is amazing. I suffered from an engine problem in 25km, but it does not affect my performance. I had a good stage and I will enjoy the rally till the end and take the champion! »
Fang Xiangliang is the 2nd to arrive the finish line, « This stage has several high-speed road sections and I am quite good at it. I made a small mistake by taking the wrong turn in the fork road, just as last year. If it wasn’t for this mistake, my time should be very close to that of Neels Theric. The scenery of this stage is better than last year, because there was heavy frog last year. Though tomorrow the special stage is short, I will try my best to compete and to enjoy the rally. »
Tomorrow, the 2024 Taklimakan Rally will have its final stage, the last 25 km special stage wait for the competitors, then the champagne and the cheers are ready in the finish line for the brave ones to celebrate their victory.
Classification and Overall Classification of Auto SS9 is yet to come
Classification Moto SS9
1. Neels Theric (FRA), KOVE, 3H06’38
2. Fang Xiangliang (CHN), KOVE, +5’30
3. Fang Mingji (CHN), KOVE, +10’03…
Overall Classification Moto after SS9
1. Neels Theric (FRA), KOVE, 25H58’26
2. Abbas Gapal (CHN), YAMAHA, +2H15’46
3. Fang Mingji (CHN), KOVE, +4H3’13…