Challenging second stage for TGR’s Nasser and Mathieu in Argentina

The second stage of the Desafio Ruta 40, Round 4 of the 2023 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) saw TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s Nasser Al-Attiyah and co-driver Mathieu Baumel, suffer five punctures. They used both spare tyres during the stage, and were forced to drive to the finish with three flat tyres. Despite this setback, the GR DKR Hilux T1+ crew set the third-fastest time on the day, and managed to maintain their position at the top of the overall standings after two stages.

Stage 2 started on the outskirts of the Argentine town of La Rioja, and saw the crews race over a timed section of 339km to the town of Belén. The route included overgrown tracks and off-piste sections at the start, with dunes towards the end of the stage.

Following their victory on the opening stage of the event, Nasser and Mathieu were the first car into Stage 2. As such, they not only had to find the route, but also bash their way through overgrown and untamed sections of the stage. The cars behind them had an easier time finding their way, but for the TGR trailblazers, the going was tough.

While the GR DKR Hilux T1+ ran faultlessly, the same cannot be said for its tyres. Camel grass-covered bumps, punctuated by narrow sections where dead tree stumps were a constant threat, made it impossible for the leading crews to set competitive times. Nasser and Mathieu stopped twice to change tyres, but were then left with no choice but to continue on the three additional punctured tyres they suffered during the stage. They were also forced to stop in order to reinflate the puncured tyres multiple times.

The stage was won by Argentine driver Juan Yacopini, driving a privately entered Toyota Hilux T1+. Nasser and Mathieu finished 10min 42sec behind the Argentine, who had the benefit of starting much lower down the order than the TGR crew. Toyota privateer, Yazeed Al Rajhi, and co-driver Timo Gottschalk, also suffered multiple punctures in Stage 2, and lost 26min 07sec to Yacopini.

After the first two stages, Nasser and Mathieu remain at the top of the overall Desafio Ruta 40 standings. However, their lead is down to just 17sec over Yacopini and Oliveras, and the TGR crew will have to remain focused over the remainder of the event, in order to secure victory.

Stage 3 is up next, and with the Desafio Ruta 40 now approaching the fearsome dunes near Belén and Fiambala, the outcome of the race remains uncertain. The terrain in this area is inhospitable at best, and many crews have fallen foul to the shifting sands of Belén in the past. The stage consists of 197 km of liaisons, with a timed section of 265km. The Desafio Ruta 40 will draw to a close on Friday, September 1, in the Argentine city of Salta.

QUOTES
Alain Dujardyn, TGR W2RC Team Principal: “Today’s performance by Nasser and Mathieu was the embodiment of some of Toyota’s core values. The crew showed remarkable resilience to push to the finish, despite the setbacks and challenges they faced. The car brought them home safely, and even though the five punctures they suffered were very disappointing, we are pleased to still be leading the rally.”

Nasser Al-Attiyah: “As the first car on the stage, we had to find the route from scratch. This meant that we encountered many dry trees in our way, as well as bumpy sections full of camel grass. The combination played havoc with our tyres, and we were disappointed to have five punctures. Still, we managed to get to the end, and we are still leading the rally. Tomorrow, we’ll try to push a bit in the big dunes, and see where this brings us.”

Mathieu Baumel: “Opening the road is always a navigational challenge, especially in the overgrown areas we encountered early in the stage. Unfortunately, we paid a price for being first on the stage today, but tomorrow we’ll start in third, which should give us a good opportunity to attack again.”

DESAFIO RUTA 40 STAGE 2 RESULTS:

1. J. YACOPINI (ARG) / D. OLIVERAS (ESP), OVERDRIVE RACING, 3:35:12
2. M. EKSTROM (SWE) / E. BERGKVIST (SWE), SOUTH RACING CAN-AM, +10:27
3. N. AL-ATTIYAH (QAT) / M. BAUMEL (FRA), TOYOTA GAZOO RACING, +10:42
4. N. CAVIGLIASSO (ARG) / V. PERTEGARINI (ARG), WEVERS SPORT, +10:42
5. M. GUTHRIE (USA) / K. WALCH (USA), RED BULL JUNIORS, +12:12

DESAFIO RUTA 40 STANDINGS AFTER STAGE 1:

1. N. AL-ATTIYAH (QAT) / M. BAUMEL (FRA), TOYOTA GAZOO RACING. 6:43:25
2. J. YACOPINI (ARG) / D. OLIVERAS (ESP), OVERDRIVE RACING, +00:17
3. M. GUTHRIE (USA) / K. WALCH (USA), RED BULL JUNIORS, +16:30
4. Y. AL RAJHI (SAU) / T. GOTTSCHALK (DEU), OVERDRIVE RACING, +16:31
5. M. EKSTROM (SWE) / E. BERGKVIST (SWE), SOUTH RACING CAN-AM, +19:01