Stage 3 Assa – Foum Zguid
No hattrick for Boss Machinery Team De Rooy
Stage info
Today we travel from ‘Assa’ to ‘Foum Zguid’ and race a special stage of 403km.
Press release
Two flat tires and twenty too many kilometers driven threw a spanner in the works. Taking that setback into account, the second place in stage three of this Morocco Desert Challenge is still a very good achievement.
Navigator Marcel Snijders went wrong and to make matters worse, that error was only discovered after twenty kilometers. Before the Iveco Powerstar was sent back on the right path, another tire went flat. The second of the day.
Vick Versteijnen took the win, but Van Kasteren, Rodewald and Snijders only lost seven minutes. As a navigator in the truck with start number 503, the fanatical Snijders naturally hated it.
The longest stage of this Morocco Desert Challenge was held in scorching heat, which put a lot of strain on the participants. The material also had to withstand the weather on the many paths with stones. Corné van Drunen, who is primarily responsible for the service team, said that the difficulty of the course is mainly reflected in the wear on the tires.
Otherwise, the mechanics will have little special work on the truck with which Janus van Kasteren will try again tomorrow for a top result.
Heat plays a major role during third day in Morocco
After a very good performance by Anja van Loon, Ben van de Laar and Suzanne Peek yesterday, it gets even better this morning when they move up to the second fastest time
A time penalty to a competitor ensures that the Iveco Powerstar has to open the stage, after Van Kasteren. After about 300 kilometers it turns out that it is too hot for Suzanne and they have to stop. She was taken to hospital for a check-up, but she is doing well.
“The most important thing is that Suzanne is doing well,” says Anja. “It was very difficult today, also because of the heat. It was almost 40 degrees, then it is even warmer in the truck, over 50 degrees. That became too much for Suzanne and she overheated. We immediately stopped and asked for assistance, which luckily arrived quickly. She was immediately taken away by helicopter.”
Anja is not sure yet whether she will start tomorrow. “The truck is good, so that shouldn’t be a problem. But I’m not sure if we’re allowed to bring someone else as a mechanic. I think it’s especially annoying for Suzanne, we were having a good time and it went fine again, despite the fact that it was so difficult. Her health is the most important thing now, the rally a little less.”
‘Stage 3 Assa – Foum Zguid’ results
Stage Rank | Number | Driver | Time | Gap to first | Penalty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 508 | Vick Versteijnen | 5h51m26s | ||
2 | 503 | Janus van Kasteren | 5h57m44s | +6m18s | +1m00s |
2 | 518 | Anja van Loon | 5h15m21s | +28m18s | – |
5 | 508 | Vick Versteijnen | 5h21m44s | +34m41s | – |