10.01.2012

After one free day in rally raid Dakar on January 9th in Chile off-road was held 8th stage. From latvian team „RE Autoclub” excellent performance showed Anton Melinkov/Anton Nikolaev (“Mitsubishi Pajero Triton”) where in 8^th stage they took 23^rd place but in overall – 29^th place.

The participants spend two days in Chile coalmining town Copiapo, where 7^th stage distance was held with start and finish in the city, but afterwards on 8^th stage continuing till Antofagasta. The whole distance was 722 km with 477 km rally stage.

“RE Autoclub” leading driver Anton Melnikov/Anton Nikolaev showed good performance at the stage and finished it at 23^rd place, the second car crew with Ilya Kuznetsov/Roman Elagin (“Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution MPR 107”) finished in 38^th place. Dmitry Pavlov truck crew took the 61^st best position.

The 8^th stage first two places where separated only by five seconds after nearly five hundred km long distance. First was spanish driver Nani Roman and after five seconds finished american driver Robby Gordon with “H3 HUMMER”. But in 3^rd position stayed also one of the leader’s polish driver Krzysztov Holowczyc.

In overall after 8^th stage first place is taken by French driver Stephan Peterhansel with “Mini”, after eight minutes follows Gordon and Holowczyc. “RE Autoclub” leader Melnikov takes 29^th place, but Kuznetsov gradually restore previous positions. At the moment Kuznetsov team are on 60^th place in 104 qualified driver competitions.

Competitions continued “Team Latvia” drivers Anton Grigoev/ Ainars Princis (“Oscar O3 OSC”) and currently are on 92^nd place, and next position takes Maris Saukans/Andris Dambis (“Oscar Eo”).

On January 10th Dakar rally raid will be held 9th stage from Antofagasta to Iquique with total distance 556km with rally stage 556km.