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20.1.2014
NEWSLETTER INSTAFOREX LOPRAIS TEAM
The guys were seen, praised Karel Loprais
Karel Loprais won the Dakar Rally six times. His nephew Aleš finished this year on the sixth place due to technical problems. But even so had Karel only words of praise for Aleš and the whole team.
How would you evaluate this year’s Dakar?
It was really hard. Organizers promised it before and the fulfil it. It was seen on apostates, their number was high. Marathon driving distances, height differences and enormous temperatures were demanding for all.
Two winning stages, one second and one third place. The guys didn’t lose in tough competition, didn’t they?
Absolutely. They were seen and it proved that if the truck works as it should, they can beat the rest of the world.
When did they the worst mood? Was it after the penultimate stage in which they lost a chance to fight for the podium due to technical problems?
I do agree. The loss was enormous, they couldn’t do anything. It’s a pity.
But they fought.
Exactly, it was seen in the last stage. The mechanics worked hard and the crew did the great job on the track. Although they started from the back, they managed to set the fastest time.
However, in the truck category they were fully compete even in the last stage. De Rooy competed with Karginov for the overall victory.
A lot of people think that the last stage is just a piece of cake, but it is not. We lost the victory in the last stage. They have to race on the Dakar until the finish.
They didn’t reach the podium. But did the Dakar bring any positives?
That is very clear. Such a test, they all passed, can not be simulated. The Silk Way Rally was the first test for the Queen 69, but it was completely new. Now came the long and demanding competition like the Dakar. They gathered a lot of data that they will be able to capitalize next time. |
