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Un excelente video del equipo Volkswagen preparándose para el Dakar 2010, o mejor dicho, que más les falta probar ?

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Volkswagen signed Nasser Al-Attiyah this year. The Arab from Qatar who won last year’s FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup contests the Dakar Rally for the first time with a factory team. The 38-year -th the Race Touareg. In parallel to this Nasser Al-Attiyah also completed a sprint rallying season and won the FIA Middle East Rally Championship for the sixth time only a few days ago. In this interview he expresses his views before the his first “Dakar” start for Volkswagen.

You won the Middle East Rally Championship for the sixth time on 5 December – congratulations. How would you compare the two disciplines sprint rallying and cross country rallying with each other ?

“Thank you for the congratulations. I actually really enjoy both types of rallying and for this reason compete in them parallel to one another. With the Group N cars in sprint competitions like the Middle East Rally Championship or the Production Car World Rally Championship it is more a question of pure speed. Technically I have to drive absolutely 100 per cent perfectly. In cross country rallying you have to use your head more since it is not just about speed.”

You’ve been involved in cross country rallying for a long time. You signed a contract with the Volkswagen factory team during the 2009 season. What are this team’s greatest strengths compared to the other teams ?

“The biggest differences are highlighted by two qualities: Volkswagen is an official factory team and a professional squad. As a result all the resources and conditions required to operate successfully in cross country are given, which the team’s results prove.”

You compete for the first time for a team that has already won the Dakar Rally. Is the pressure of expectation on you a burden or do you view this victory as a great help for your work ?

“I see it as a great help and not as a burden. Volkswagen supports my ambitions perfectly. Even before I never felt pressure.”

In your previous team you were clearly the lead driver. Now you are a part of a particularly strong squad that Kris Nissen has forged for Volkswagen. What does this mean to you ?

“Indeed, Kris Nissen has really put together the strongest driver line-up. It feels really good to be a part of it. I think that Kris selected me because I’ve shown that I am one of the quickest in cross country rallying.”

Which characteristic of the Race Touareg do you particularly rate ?

“The Volkswagen Race Touareg is fantastic. I consider the basic, uncompromising design to be the best feature: It is a stable and genuine rally car.”

Timo Gottschalk is your new co-driver. How would you describe your work together ?

“Timo is a good co-driver. However, we have only recently started working together. We are still very much at the learning stage of our relationship, which is the same for every driver co-driver pairing.”

In your first two events for Volkswagen – the Rally dos Sertões and the Silk Way Rally – you fought for victory immediately with you team mate Carlos Sainz. What will be the deciding factor at the Dakar Rally for victory and the minor placings ?

“For me it will be a question of retaining the same pace as before, but I need a little more luck. Then we’ll have a good chance.”

How would you describe your driving style with the Race Touareg ?

“Even though the bottom line is always about time: For me to be really quick my driving style is rather more gentle and fluid than hard and aggressive.”

The Dakar Rally has found a new home in South America. You personally come from Qatar and have already competed in many desert rallies on the Gulf. What is the greatest challenge of the new route ?

“Yes, there are deserts and sand dunes there also. But the rally has in general a different character. The South American nature with all its geographical peculiarities is the greatest challenge for me. We have to stay focused for 16 long days.”

As rally driver you don’t have a talisman and are not superstitious. Do you nevertheless have habits which nobody knows about ?

“There is possibly a cultural influence that not everybody knows about. As professional athletes it goes without saying that we pay attention to our sport diet and isotonic drinks. However, particularly in Argentina I like to drink mate tea from pumpkin shells.”

You are not only a good rally driver but also a good at clay pigeon shooting. You have even represented your country in the Olympics. From where does your interest come for this and which parallels exist to motorsport ?

“There are certainly no unusual reasons for my interest. In Qatar clay pigeon shooting is a very popular sport. The Olympics is something very special as I represented my country there while in motorsport my Volkswagen team and I represent ourselves. Of course the differences between motorsport and clay pigeon shooting are large. However, there are also some similarities such as the aspect of concentration.”

Not many people know that you assumed an ambassadorial role as sportsman for the United Nations ?

“The public obviously sees the rally driver in me. However, when the United Nations initially looked for an ambassador for its global sports foundation it was an enormous honour for me when the Olympic Committee selected me. The foundation helps young people who are threatened by violence and drugs.”

During your preparations for the Dakar Rally which sports did you concentrate on ?

“I was doing a typical training programme in a fitness studio. I also like going swimming often to stay as fit as possible.”

Which targets have you set for the Dakar Rally ?

“Together with Timo Gottschalk I want to fight for overall victory for Volkswagen. There are two special places reserved in my trophy cupboard: one for the Dakar trophy and one for an Olympic medal.”

Fuente: PaddockTalk.com
Foto: http://www.nasser-al-attiyah.com/

El piloto español espera que la competencia del 2010 sea mucho más fácil que la versión anterior.

Se mostró ansioso de volver a correr en Sudamérica.

El piloto español Carlos Sainz (Wolkswagen) confesó que tiene “muchas ganas” de que comience la nueva edición del Rally Dakar, que se disputará entre el 1 y el 17 de enero por segundo año consecutivo en Argentina y Chile, especialmente después de la decepción del año pasado, y aseguró que su único objetivo claro es “ir a por la victoria”.

“Ya están todos los deberes hechos, toda la preparación, y estoy con muchas ganas de que empiece y de que llegue ya el día 1. El objetivo claro es el de ganar. Tenemos un equipo y un coche que nos da la posibilidad de luchar por la victoria y vamos a intentar ir por ella”, comentó Carlos Sainz, en declaraciones a Europa Press.

Respecto a los rivales que encontrará en esta nueva edición del Dakar, donde correrá con Lucas Cruz como copiloto, el bicampeón del mundo de rallys destacó como grandes adversarios en la lucha por el triunfo a sus propios compañeros de equipo, el qatarí Nasser Al-Attiyah y el sudafricano Giniel de Villiers, vigente campeón, así como los BMW del también español Nani Roma y del francés Stéphane Peterhansel.

Por otra parte, Carlos Sainz consideró como “una gran alternativa” el cambio de recorrido que se hizo el año pasado, trasladando la prueba de África a Sudamérica.

“Tuvimos un muy buen recibimiento, la organización preparó un gran recorrido, muy similar al de África y después de todo lo que ocurrió es una gran alternativa”, apuntó.

El año pasado, el trazado era nuevo para todos, pero en esta ocasión, con la experiencia previa, el madrileño espera que sea “más fácil”.

“Hubo algunos tramos que, como no conocíamos a fondo el terreno, fueron muy duros y largos, e incluso hubo algunas zonas que se tuvieron que suspender, pero este año, conociendo más el terreno, puede resultarnos algo más fácil”, añadió.

Cuando todo apuntaba a la primera victoria de Sainz en el Dakar, un accidente echó por tierra la ventaja que mantenía con sus grandes rivales. Ahora, ya superada la decepción, el piloto español asegura tener “muy claro” lo que ocurrió y espera no repetir el error.

“El Dakar ya ha jugado este tipo de pasadas en muchas ocasiones, no sólo a mí, sino también a otros pilotos. Es parte del juego”, explicó.

Asimismo, el piloto de Volkswagen opinó sobre la posibilidad que el rally se convierta en una carrera bicontinental, disputándose en África y en Sudamérica. Sainz ve con buenos ojos el cambio, pero sólo espera que el viaje de un continente a otro no sea “muy largo”.

Dakar rally director Etienne Lavigne celebrated Wednesday in Buenos Aires that the coming 2010 edition of the world event will coincide with Argentina and Chile commemoration of their second bicentennial as nations.

“It’s an honour that the rally should open the year” in which Argentina and Chile celebrate their 200 years of independence processes from colonial Spain, said Lavigne on the official presentation of the Dakar Rally.

Lavigne thanked Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner for the “renewed confidence” in the organization of the competition that takes off on the first day of 2010 and runs until January 17th in 14 stages (7 in Argentina and 7 in Chile) totalling 9.000 kilometres along the fantastic geography of the two neighbouring countries. The competition departs and ends in Buenos Aires.

The French director of the competition said that last edition participants enjoyed marvellous places and landscapes in Argentina and Chile but above all discovered the “fervour and passion” of the people for the rally.

After describing the 2010 Dakar rally as “spectacular and full of great adventures” Lavigne revealed that at the end of the registration period, and a few days before the vehicles leave from Le Havre, the list of competitors includes 184 bikes and squads, 138 cars and 50 trucks. The expected media coverage will be broadcasted in 189 countries and 2.2 billion people providing “an outstanding relay for the constructors, the partners and the countries involved”.

“In spite of the crisis the number of people is most important, because among other motives, who participated in 2009 had such a good time that they wished to return”, pointed out Lavigne.

Argentina’s Tourism Secretary Carlos Meyer called the competition “a sports festivity” and praised the fact the next edition will be the “bicentennial rally”.

“This event, a true celebration has won the heart of all Argentines”, said Meyer.

A similar ceremony took place Tuesday in Santiago de Chile to promote the event. Lavigne underlined that the Atacama Desert to the north of Chile will be “a most interesting challenge” for all competitors.

“I think we’ve managed a good blend of challenges in desert terrains, rocky and mountain paths and long stretches on plains which will demand a high level of sporting spirit” said Lavigne.

He added that in spite of a lesser participation 375 against 500 in the previous edition, “we must nevertheless feel proud because of the very difficult international economic context”.

“Hosting a world event of such magnitude can only be considered a great success and if it is shared with a neighbouring country it is even more satisfying”, said Carolina Tohá, spokesperson for the Chilean Executive.

She also underlined the participation of at least forty different Chilean government offices to help with the organization to ensure that the competition avoids national parks, protected areas or with archaeological remains.

“It will also mark the beginning of the Bicentennial celebrations in two neighbourly and brotherly counties”, she added.

Volkswagen’s Dakar Rally Support Team Ships Off to Argentina

Last month, we reported that Volkswagen would be sending five Race Touaregs to defend the 2009 Dakar Rally title. Yesterday, we learned the majority of the Volkswagen support team and their accompanying equipment have embarked on a 27-day ocean voyage from Le Havre, France to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The freighter responsible for transporting the rally’s European participants’ precious cargo, the Grande Brasile, was organized by the Dakar Rally organizer: the Amaury Sport Organization. The ship is moving the majority of the 373 participating teams’ equipment and supplies across the Atlantic, and is expected to unload in Buenos Aires on December 28. Volkswagen has 132,000-pounds of supplies and 17 assorted vehicles in the Grande Brasile’s hold. Currently in transit are Volkswagen’s service and equipment trucks, two race trucks, and six Panamericana multivans designated for crew support.

“[Today] the cargo loading and embarkation of the support crew marked the completion of another stage for the team,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. “And of course, every successful completion of these individual steps makes us look forward to the Dakar in Argentina and Chile, which as the title defender we want to again decide in our favor, with even greater anticipation. [Today], a major portion of the logistical effort was accomplished.”

The 2010 Dakar Rally will run from January 2-16, beginning and ending in Buenos Aires.

Fuente: BuenosAires54.com

The German signature Argentina – Chile will make use of the Dakar 2010 to present, on a global scale, the Amarok, the first pick up in the history of Volkswagen, which will take place in the plant that the signature has in Pacheco, Argentina.

The managers of the signature confirmed that 35 Amarok should take part in the competition, where 20 Amarok units will be used by the organizers of the career, and others 15 will be assined to the transfer of the journalists. The official presentation of the Amarok will be realized on December 15.

Stephan Schaller, the CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (to see above) said: “the Amarok is the answer of Volkswagen to the segment of the pickup and in the Rally Dakar, one of the last big adventures of the Humanity, it will have the opportunity to demonstrate his fortitude, his flexibility and durability”.

“The Amarok will be made in Argentina and South America, it is one of the most important markets for this product. That’s why, to take part in the Rally Dakar was a priority for us”.

This presentation will do that the Dakar is one of the most important events of 2010. It is probable that in the future it exceeds the Hilux, in the first sales position. The Amarok will be a fundamental part of the Dakar 2010.

Fuente: The Rally Racing Blog.com

WHO WILL CHALLENGE RACE TOUAREGS?

The 31st Dakar rally (it would have been 32 had 2008 not been cancelled) will start on New Year’s Day 2010, from Buenos Aires in Argentina, the second running of “the world’s toughest motor race” in South America.

More than 500 motorcycles, quads, cars and trucks will tackle a 9000km route through Argentina and Chile, over the Andes mountains and back again, with organisers promising everything from desert dunes to tropical mud and alpine snow.

South Africa’s own Giniel de Villiers won the 2009 rally – also in South America – for VW at the wheel of a Race Touareg. The team has already entitled its 2010 effort Project Title Defence and entered five of the diesel-powered Blue Meanies.

The big question, however, is the source of their main challenge. Long-dominant Mitsubishi announced its withdrawal from cross-country rallying earlier in 2009, citing the world economic downturn, after 26 Dakar entries and 12 wins, seven of them in a row.

Perhaps VW’s biggest threat, if not from the gruelling conditions, could come from American Robbie Gordon – third overall in 2008 – who will again enter his monstrous V8 Hummer, this time with an all-carbon fibre body.

There will also be the usual selection of very fast Schlesser buggies and the X-Raid team of BMW X3′s, one of them in the hands of ex-Mitsubishi driver Stephane Peterhansel who has won the Dakar six times on a motorcycle and four times in a car.

South Africa will again be well represented, not only by De Villiers but also by three SA-built Nissan Navara bakkies similar to those that finished fourth and fifth in 2009.

Off-road legend Alfie Cox will drive one in this his 10th Dakar outing (seven on motorcycles), another will be in the hands of Polish National champion Krzysztof Holowczyc (fifth in the same bakkie in 2009) and a third will have a Russian driver who is yet to be named.

Fuente: Motoring.co.za

Pilotados por Carlos Sainz, De Villiers, Millar, Al-Attiyah y Neves

Volkswagen presentará una formación de primer nivel con cinco Race Touareg en el próximo Rally Dakar 2010, que se celebrará en Argentina y Chile. El fabricante alemán ha fichado a los brasileños Mauricio Neves y Clécio Maestrelli como piloto y copiloto, que se unen a los ya confirmados Carlos Sainz y Lucas Cruz, Giniel de Villiers y Dirk Von Zitzewitz, Mark Miller y Ralph Pitchford, y Nasser Al-Attiyah y Timo Gottschalk. Todas las parejas persiguen repetir la victoria conseguida en 2009, la primera de un vehículo diésel en este histórico rally por el desierto. En enero de este año, de Villiers y Von Zitzewitz se impusieron a sus compañeros de equipo Miller y Pitchford e hicieron historia. Volkswagen ganó el primer Dakar celebrado en suelo sudamericano con su prototipo de 280 CV.

“En el Dakar 2009, demostramos que el Race Touareg no sólo es el vehículo todoterreno más fiable del mundo, también el más rápido, y que la tecnología TDI del Grupo Volkswagen es superior a otros sistemas de propulsión diésel”, afirma el director de Volkswagen Motorsport, Kris Nissen. “Queremos defender con éxito nuestro título en el próximo Dakar. Para ello, hemos juntado un potente equipo de pilotos. Estoy contento porque, con la incorporación de Mauricio Neves y Clécio Maestrelli, hemos fichado dos héroes locales del continente sudamericano”.

Mauricio Neves: debut con el Race Touareg en Brasil
Mauricio Neves ya está familiarizado con el Volkswagen Race Touareg.
Click here to find out more!
El piloto brasileño hizo su debut en competición con el prototipo en el Rally dos Sertoes, a finales de junio de 2009. En este “pequeño Dakar”, que cubrió 4.500 kilómetros a través de Brasil, Neves, de 40 años, finalizó tercero en su clase, por detrás del doblete conseguido por Sainz/Cruz y Al-Attiyah/Gottschalk, y sexto de la clasificación absoluta.

“Para Clécio y para mí, es un gran honor el poder participar en el Rally Dakar con un equipo tan profesional y bien organizado”, confiesa Mauricio Neves. “Es un sueño de hace años que se convierte en realidad. En el Dos Sertoes, pude comprobar el estilo de trabajo del equipo y el perfecto manejo del Race Touareg; ahora, quiero demostrar en el Dakar que la confianza que Volkswagen ha depositado en mí, está justificada”.

Mauricio Neves es el piloto más laureado de la competición de rallyes todoterreno de Brasil. En su país natal, ha conseguido diversos títulos de pilotos, y Clécio Maestrelli ha sido su copiloto en la mayoría de estos éxitos.

Prensa Volkswagen
Raid-live.com