Transsyberia Rally 2008, Leg 9, Oelgy - Mankhan: Porsche Team France grabs the lead
Team France has taken over the lead in the overall classification of the Transsyberia Rally 2008 powered by Sony Ericsson. With the second quickest time on the ninth leg, Christian Lavieille and Francois Borsotto pushed their way to the top of arguably the toughest marathon rally for near-standard offroad vehicles in their #7 Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia. The winners of today’s leg are Pablo ‘Pau’ Soler and Laia Peinado from Team Spain. The previous leaders, Team Middle East, were forced to retire. Pilot Said al Hajri drove into a hidden pothole and injured his spine. His co-driver Tim Trenker remained uninjured.
Pau Soler and his co-driver Laia Peinado from Spain put in an almost immaculate drive on the ninth leg. In 4:45.47 hours they conquered the extremely demanding 282 special stage kilometres. “We’re naturally very pleased with today’s win. In the overall classification we have made a huge leap forward and now rank fourth,” said an enthusiastic Soler. “This special stage was very long and above all it was difficult to navigate. My co-driver did a fantastic job. We made a couple of minor mistakes on the first few kilometres, but around 100 kms before the end we overtook Armin Schwarz and Andi Schulz. Afterwards we held onto the lead until the end. Our Cayenne ran like clockwork today. The mechanics did a great job yesterday. I dedicate this win to the Porsche crew.”
Just seven minutes behind were Christian Lavieille and Francois Borsotto. Their navigation was also extremely good and the pair was ecstatic at the finish of the leg and to be leading the overall classification. Third in today’s leg and now ranking third overall are Armin Schwarz and Andi Schulz from Team Germany 1. Up until the third checkpoint they had led the classification, but took a wrong turn in an obscure place. This cost the former European rally champion and the two-time Dakar winner a possible leg victory.
