2006 Dakar Rally Updates - Stage 9
In The Wake Of Tragedy: Peterhansel Wins Stage 9
1-10-2006
Kiffa, North Africa – Total: 599km/ 359.5 miles:
Mitsubishi Champion - Stephane Peterhansel captivated the world of off road as his victory in Stage 9 sets the all-time Dakar Rally record for stage wins. Peterhansel drove his Mitsubushi across the finish line in 6 hours 52 minutes and 45 seconds claiming the all-time record.
The celebration was subsided by the news of a competitors death.
Unfortunately, Peterhansel’s victory and record setting day was overcome with the stunning news of the death of Australian motorcycle racer – Andy Caldecott, who died of injuries sustained in a terrible crash in the middle of the stage.
The special stage, also known as the “racing stage,” for Stage 9, totaled 599km/359.5 miles. Caldecott, racing for the KTM Repsol Team, was discovered laying unconscious on the North African desert floor at race mile 250 KM/150 miles into the racing stage.
Peterhansel reflected upon arriving to Kaffa and said, “I believe that this is the finish of the stage where we learnt the death of (KTM rider Fabrizio) Meoni last year. It's a terrible stage. We all try to improve security but the Dakar remains a dangerous race, especially for the bikers. It's difficult to explain. I saw Andy on the ground where there was no danger. When I saw him on the ground, I immediately thought it was bad, and it stayed in my mind for the whole special. All the Dakar family is shocked by this very very sad news."
Peterhansel’s Mitsubishi teammate, Alphand explained, "We drive fast, we take risks, we try to take them on, but sometimes it's hard. However, that's just the job. We take part in a competition to try and enjoy ourselves and give pleasure. And no one thinks about danger."
"Unfortunately he is not the first to die like this, and he won't be the last," Alphand added. "At least, he died riding his bike, what he loved above all."
American off road racer and Volkswagen's Motorsports Dakar Rally team member, Mark Miller, was reported to have had difficulty navigating in Stage 9 eventually losing over an hour to rally leader – Peterhansel. Although, Miller continued hard charging and finished ahead of Thierry Magnaldi to claim 7th position overall.
Miller said, "We got lost again today. We got stuck later when we swerved to avoid a motorcyclist who had crashed. So, we were seventh and have moved up a position on the overall leader board."
American motorcycle racer, Chris Blais continues his march towards the finish line in Dakar. Despite the tragedy with fellow competitor Caldecott, Blais completed another top ten performance finishing in 9th position in 8 hours, 30 minutes and 28 seconds. His Stage 9 performance was only 34 minutes and 40 seconds off leader, Cyril Despres.
Currently, Blais is in 6th position overall riding his KTM 660 Rallye and less than two hours down from leader Despres.
American champ, Jonah Street sits in 25th position although he’s over 9 hours down to the leaders.
Cars Overall after Stage 9:
1. |
300 |
Peterhansel, Cottret |
F |
Mitsubishi Pajero |
Mitsubishi Ralliart |
34:36:26 |
0:00:00 |
2. |
302 |
Alphand, Picard |
F |
Mitsubishi Pajero |
Mitsubishi Ralliart |
34:45:42 |
0:09:16 |
3. |
305 |
De Villiers, Thorner |
ZA |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
35:30:42 |
0:54:16 |
4. |
304 |
Roma, Magne |
E |
Mitsubishi Pajero |
Mitsubishi Ralliart |
36:12:40 |
1:36:14 |
5. |
303 |
Kleinschmidt, Pons |
D |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
36:32:50 |
1:56:24 |
6. |
315 |
Magnaldi, Debron |
F |
Schlesser-Ford Raid |
Schlesser - Ford |
37:25:08 |
2:48:42 |
7. |
309 |
Miller, Von Zitzewitz |
USA |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
37:55:38 |
3:19:12 |
8. |
314 |
Schlesser, Borsotto |
F |
Schlesser-Ford Raid |
Schlesser - Ford |
38:32:09 |
3:55:43 |
9. |
311 |
Sousa, Lurquin |
P |
Nissan Navarra |
Team Galp Energia |
39:44:57 |
5:08:31 |
10. |
301 |
Saby, Perin |
F |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
42:51:01 |
8:14:35 |
Cars Stage 9 Results:
1. |
300 |
Peterhansel, Cottret |
F |
Mitsubishi Pajero |
Mitsubishi Ralliart |
6:52:45 |
0:00:00 |
2. |
302 |
Alphand, Picard |
F |
Mitsubishi Pajero |
Mitsubishi Ralliart |
7:01:29 |
0:08:44 |
3. |
305 |
De Villiers, Thorner |
ZA |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
7:20:45 |
0:28:00 |
4. |
303 |
Kleinschmidt, Pons |
D |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
7:42:43 |
0:49:58 |
5. |
304 |
Roma, Magne |
E |
Mitsubishi Pajero |
Mitsubishi Ralliart |
7:45:24 |
0:52:39 |
6. |
301 |
Saby, Perin |
F |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
7:51:03 |
0:58:18 |
7. |
309 |
Miller, Von Zitzewitz |
USA |
Volkswagen Touareg |
Volkswagen Motorsport |
7:59:44 |
1:06:59 |
8. |
315 |
Magnaldi, Debron |
F |
Schlesser-Ford Raid |
Schlesser - Ford |
8:07:47 |
1:15:02 |
9. |
317 |
Gache, Garcin |
F |
SMG Buggy |
Vanguard/Racing |
8:10:38 |
1:17:53 |
10. |
311 |
Sousa, Lurquin |
P |
Nissan Navarra |
Team Galp Energia |
8:51:04 |
1:58:19 |
9 Chris Blais – blaisracing.com
23 Andy Grider - griderracing.com
42 Jonah Street - rallypanam.com
98 Mike Krynock - rallypanam.com
99 Charlie Rauseo - rallypanam.com
180 Kevin Heath - KevinsMidLifeCrisis.com
242 Scott Whitney / Duane McDowell - HogWildRacing.com
309 Mark Miller - Mark Miller – USADakar.com
335 Robby Gordon / Darren Skilton - robbygordon.com
354 Ronn Bailey / Herve Cotel - vanguardracing.com
