Stage 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLNtRqpYq0s

Stage 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcBzLgWoLb4

Goodbye, Bolivia…

Today’s shortened stage, the last in Bolivia, is behind us. We will wave to the mountains and I must say that I am not satisfied with today’s result, even though we did not have any technical problems. We did not have enough power. We just could not keep up. The vehicles around were faster. We hope that we were choked mainly by the altitude. Disillusion is also due to the length of the stage, because the constant reduction of sharp kilometres can definitely help us to better overall result.

January 11, 2017 is the day of the 9^th stage from SALTA to CHILECITO. This stage should have a total of 977 km, of which the measured section for all categories should have 406 km But so far it is not clear what will happen, because the only access road to Salta is under water and the entire convoy is said to be instructed to return. We will have to wait for the solution.

We believe that this time, despite the difficulties the serving of kilometres will be preserved and the results will be somewhat more favourable for us.

In stage 8, the Tatras again reached modest spots in the ranking with Loprais nearly 11 minutes and Kolomy nearly 18 minutes behind today’s stage winner. Overall the Tatras struggle to finish in the overall ranking top 10 with Kolomy 9th and Loprais 11th overall.

As Stage 7 and 8 from a marathon stage. there has been no contact by the Buggyra Team and their drivers Martin Kolomy and Ales Loprais.

OVERALL:

The Tatra drivers are now 12th and 13th overall. Bonver Project driver Llovera is 25th overall in his Tatra Jamal.

This year’s Africa Eco race has 5 stages in Maroc, 6 in Maroc and the final one in Mauretania.  After stage 6, the Bonver Project Tatra Jamal of Jaroslav Valtr is second overall in the truck class behind the Kamaz of Andrej Karginov, though more than two hours behind. Tomas Tomecek is third overall with his T 815, about 20 min behind Valtr.

http://www.africarace-live.com/en/cla-etp6.html

The fifth stage was a test of nerves for the crew more than anything else. Our problem with the power steering pump reoccurred 3 times, and the fact that we got to the finish in good health was due to the force majeure. The bivouac that expected us in the finish, was completely flooded. The organizers´ decision to cancel the next stage was reasonable. After spending the night on a closed highway, we moved to La Paz. A stunning place, enchanting landscape, but the weather is bad. It was raining until 10 o´clock of local time and it stopped raining, but there is a lot of mud everywhere and we will see what happens next. In all that the mechanics work hard on technology, and even the necessary spare parts have arrived. We thank the quick connection with a rucksack on the back and we believe that all of this will help us.

January 9, 2017 we await the seventh stage from LA PAZ to UYUNI. It should be the same for all categories, at the length of 622 km, 322 km special section.

We believe that the weather will allow us to drive through the stage in its entirety, without reducing or cancelling.

Loprais Comments on stage 5:

Yesterday he lost more than 1 hour 20 minutes, so today Martin Kolomý had nothing to lose and he started the special with his foot to the floor. The Czech trucker  reached WP2 in the lead, but only seven seconds ahead of yesterday’s stage winner Gerard de Rooy, who is kept pace with Kolomý. Gerard de Rooy grabbed a second consecutive stage victory, has now reached his cruising speed and has taken command of the general standings. A Kamaz truck was again runner-up, but this time it was Eduard Nikolaev, who also takes second place in the general standings. Kolomy dropped back for unknown reasons.

Title holder Gerard de Rooy (Iveco) regained his form and served up a superb battle against Airat Mardeev (Kamaz) who he beat by only 30 seconds on completion of the 416-km special, to give the Dutchman his 31st stage victory on the Dakar. Kolomy had an off-day, finishing 20th.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmjKfAeSEJM&index=1&list=PLH0Av5DXFbhcXTGoTF6Bn4wHOTS3Id8ym