Updated Rally news:
Following Monday's first real challenge of the 2015 Dakar for the ALDO Racing Team, Canadians David Bensadoun and Patrick Beaulé were back on track Tuesday for an easier stage 3 that took them from San Juan to Chilecito, Argentina where they crossed the finish line in 43rd position. Starting 51st on the day for a short 26-kilometre liaison that led them to a less intense 284-kilometre special stage, the Bensadoun-Beaulé tandem had no problem dealing with the red earth tracks, overlooking steep peaks and plunging down into canyons, that took them through one of the most beautiful regions of Argentina. Their day ended with a long 232-kilometre scenic journey in Chilecito.
Of the 137 cars that left Buenos Aires on Sunday for the start of the Dakar, three retired on the first day and 34 more did not show up this morning at the starting grid. Wednesday's Stage 4 will see the ALDO Team cross the Andes for the first time this year into Chile where they will finish their day in Copiapo.
Recap of Stage 2 on Monday
One of Bensadoun's nightmares materialized in stage 2 of the Dakar, when his ALDO Toyota Tacoma rolled over on its side near the end of the first real test for all competitors. Even though it was damaged, they continued on to San Juan to finish 57th overall, a slight slide from a 47th place finish on Sunday. The ALDO mechanics spent part of the night overhauling the Toyota which was on the starting grid on Tuesday morning.
ALDO Racing finish position following Stage 2: 57th
ALDO Racing overall standings following Stage 2: 51st
ALDO Racing finish position following Stage 3: 43rd
The next press release will be issue Thursday, January 8 following Stages 4 & 5 of the Dakar. In the meantime, media and fans should visit the ALDO Racing Facebook page at (
https://www./pages/ALDO-Racing/1420010304880026) for daily updates, plus images and comments.
On Tap for Stages 4 & 5:
ARGENTINA - CHILE
STAGE 4, Day 4 - Wednesday, January 7: Chilecito - Copiapo
AT NIGHT THE ROUTE IS TWICE AS HARD!
The competitors will have to prove they are worthy of entering Chile! A very early start and a climb to a height of 4,800 metres will precede the border crossing at Paso San Francisco. The really challenging section will begin with a gradual warm-up on the mining tracks, up to 45 degrees Celsius, before drivers are faced with the reality of the Atacama Desert, the driest in the world. The route here is open and sandy. Over the course of the last 40 kilometres, the giant dunes and basins of Copiapo will have to be tackled and for many, this will be at night. Overcoming them will require finesse and instinct. Liaison sections: 594 km - Special stage: 315 km - Total: 909 km
CHILE
STAGE 5, Day 5 - Thursday, January 8: Copiapo - Antofagasta
CREATING THE SURPRISE
This is the first of the rare special stages in which all categories will compete. At the start of the race, the most confident drivers will be able to take advantage of the fast tracks to try to move up in the overall standings. But the temptation to do so may be risky because of the fog, and the hard-to-handle fesh-fesh areas where absolute self-control is the only guarantee of success. Overtaking here requires precision handling to the extreme. Liaison sections: 239 km - Special stage: 458 km - Total: 697 km