The eleventh stage of the Dakar Rally took Tim and Tom Coronel to the heart of the Empty Quarter, one of the most challenging and iconic sections of the rally. Finishing 13th on the day, just half an hour behind the stage winner, the brothers reflected on a day that had it all: spectacular dunes, perfect teamwork, and flawless performance from their Century CR7.
The stage began later than planned due to heavy fog in the dunes. After a 2.5-hour wait, the sun broke through the clouds and the organization’s helicopters were able to take off, allowing the first competitor to start.
Day to dream of
The route for the cars differed from the one for the bikes and trucks, leaving few tracks to follow towards the end of the stage. For Tom however, it was quite difficult to keep his eyes on the roadbook: « This was the best Dakar stage I’ve ever driven in my life. The ending was just insane. It was an honor to be part of this. With the sun setting behind the dunes, the stunning landscape, and a car that kept running perfectly—it was simply a day to dream of. »
Dakar at its best
Tim also thoroughly enjoyed the challenging stage. « Wow, wow, wow. This felt well-earned, in my opinion. The start was a bit messy because of the delay, and the early part of the course was completely torn up since we had to start further back. But after that, it was amazing. Especially the last 50 kilometers—that was just unbelievable. You drove through a tunnel of dunes and everything had to be perfect. Making your own tracks, navigating, keeping control of the car—and that’s exactly what we did. »
Tim had to stay focused during the final stretch. « Tom kept screaming about the view, » he laughed. « And he was right. It was an incredible adventure, and I feel honored to have driven it. » Tom agrees: « This was Dakar at its best. Tough, challenging, but also beautiful. This is what it’s all about. »
Tomorrow marks the final stage of the Dakar rally, featuring a mass start in the Empty Quarter’s dunes, followed by a relatively short but intense 61-kilometer stage