The 8th Master Rallye arrived in Astrakhan today, and steering on a south-easterly course, the competitors discovered, with or without pleasure, the first real dunes in the event. The cord located at PC 4, at km 252 of the special, trapped a large number of motorcyclists and riders, delayed for long minutes by this sandy giant after a first part which was quite driveable.
Particularly favourable to Jean-Louis Schlesser’s buggy, the leg did not escape the leader in the overall ranking who outdistanced the Russian, Khrol, by 14’33’’ today and by 49’21’’ in the overall. In his Mitsubishi, Khrol therefore attained the second step of the provisional podium in spite of several snags. Firstly he assisted Barkat (Mitsubishi), victim of an impressive overturn which forced him to withdraw (fracture of the shin-fibula), then lost approximately four minutes with a puncture at the end of the special.
«I had a very difficult day, with a great deal of sun (33° in the shade at the finish), the sand and problems with the first gear. But we managed quite well in the ranking as the special was really suited to Schlesser’s buggy.»
As regular as ever, cautious when necessary, the leader lived through a leg which was
«magnificent from the driving point of view, not very rough with big enfilades but a few navigating problems where it was easy to get lost.» Like many others, the buggy discovered the dunes at km 252.
«We had a job getting through, we almost stayed blocked in first gear, admitted Schlesser. I am not exactly surprised that others had problems.»
The list is long and includes a few prestigious «victims». Christophe Tinseau (Protruck ASM) is the first, in spite of his 3rd place in the leg. He wasted about twenty minutes in the dunes, and therefore gives up his place as
2nd in the overall to Khrol. «It’s a pity, we had an adequate vehicle but I bungled it in the dunes. We planned to get through without deflating. Well no! It is entirely my fault, we did not have enough momentum and we had to get the sand mats out. I am paying for my lack of experience in this type of terrain, but we’re still there …».
Nicolas Misslin (Mitsubishi) also «discovered the joys of sand», like most of the cars still in the race. To be noted are the excellent performances by the Pole Komornicki (Mitsubishi),
4th in the special and by Yves Loubet (Nissan), 8th in the scratch a long way in front of the Mercedes of Magnaldi and Strugo and now
1st in T1 (6th in the overall). As garrulous as ever on getting out of his car, Loubet is loving every second of this rally. «It’s madness, real madness in these dunes. We gave our all but without damaging the car too much.» The race is finished on the other hand for Bernard Errandonea’s Nissan (broken transmission).
In motorbikes, the Swede PG Lundmark (KTM) spent a more serene day than yesterday and his scratch brings him a little closer to the final victory. Setting off behind François Flick (KTM) this morning, he broke his GPS fairly early on but this did not prevent him from catching up with his most dangerous rival at 100 km from the finish. The two drivers crossed the finishing line together in spite of Flick’s efforts to get ahead, even by a minimum.
«We fought a wonderful battle with PG, explained the Frenchman, I opened the throttle but it wasn’t enough. It will be difficult for me to change the course of events now but we’re going to try all the same. I am going to fight! My motorbike behaved well in the small trails hidden amongst the grass, and I got through the dunes well.»
Solid leader, welcomed on his arrival by about ten merry-faced Kalmucks, offering him a little drop of local vodka to quench his thirst, Lundmark is in control of the race, but which tactics should he now adopt? Secure or attack again?
«I want to impose myself on Sunday, whether for a second or an hour, it doesn’t matter. It is therefore preferable to remain very prudent. Nothing is finished, until the last meter I will be wary of my opponents.»
For the Pole Marek Dabrowski (KTM),
3rd in the special and in the overall, there is still hope.
«PG is an excellent rider, very fast, but who sometimes takes a number of risks. Too many risks, even.» Dabrowski is still confident, but some are beginning to seriously stick out their tongues. In spite of a magnificent wheeling once the line was crossed, the Portuguese, Nuno Santos, 6th in the special and
5th in the overall, has difficulty hiding his fatigue. «I who am basically a trial driver, find it difficult to do so many kilometres every day. I prefer more technical and shorter courses. Today, some portions seemed to me to be very long.»
Tomorrow’s programme
The seventh leg between Astrakhan and Elista will lead the competitors to the steppes again, with 361 km of special stages (a total of 490 km). Like today, there will be a great number of very lovely trails with big undulations, but often bumpy and therefore with traps. Also to be noted, the crossing of small dried lakes with descending steps and bumps. A truly representative trail of this fabulous region of Kalmukia, nick-named little Mongolia.
