Despite setback: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk score points in the FIA Marathon Baja World Cup in Spain Baja Aragรณn the expected rough, tight and tough challenge over 512.78 kilometers Broken suspension bolt prevents podium result Teruel, Spain (July 28, 2024) -...
Two in a hurry – 35 overtaking maneuvers and eighth place for Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk at the start of the “Dakar”
Further contributions
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We pull the cap: first win of the season in the FIA Cross-Country World Rally Championship (W2RC) for Saudi Arabian-Brandenburg duo Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk keep W2RC decision open until the final at the Morocco Rally A particularly challenging route through Argentina in...
Almost-Olympic hurdles race: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk grab valuable World Cup points in Greece
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Cool, calm, collected: Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk secure podium result at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
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Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk kick-off Marathon Baja World Cup with victory
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Final exit for Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk from the 2024 Dakar Rally – looking ahead
Rien ne va plus: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk must finish the 2024 Dakar Rally early and for good. After the Saudi Arabian-Brandenburg duo had led the world’s toughest desert rally for 1,119 kilometers, a rollover on the sixth stage at kilometer 1,808 put an end to their dream of victory.
Game over – Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk have to give up their dream of winning the “Dakar” while in the lead
The dream of winning the “Dakar” is over. Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk ended the tough marathon stage of the Dakar Rally early after a multiple rollover.
100% dunes, 100% Yazeed and Timo: Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk go into the tougher marathon stage as “Dakar” leaders
Part one of the dune triad: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk consolidated their lead in the overall standings of the Dakar Rally with fourth place on day five.
Kickdown extends the lead – Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk remain in front at the “Dakar”
With their hearts in their hands and a brick on the gas pedal: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk extended their lead in the Dakar Rally on the fourth day.
Blow the whistle! – or – Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk take the lead in the Dakar Rally
Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk lead the Dakar Rally after three days of competition.
- True “Dakar” start on Epiphany: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk convert 59th starting position into eighth place on the day with a strong performance
- Stage from al-‘Ula to Al Henakiyah leads through canyons, wadis and rocky terrain
- Lots of dust hinders progress on tricky first stage – many co-favorites lose ground
Al Henakiyah, Saudi Arabia (January 6, 2024) – When reality doesn’t match the 100 percent carefully devised plan: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk made the most of a tricky opening stage at the Dakar Rally, finishing eighth on the day. This meant that the strategy of starting as far back as possible only worked to a limited extent – but nevertheless ensured a good starting position for the coming days. The Saudi-Arabian-Brandenburg duo started the race in 59th place, leaving 35 competitors behind them on the course and setting the eighth-best time. Dust hindered progress, especially on the first part of the first “Dakar” special stage. Nevertheless, the current runners-up in the FIA Cross-Country World Rally Championship (W2RC) left many of the other favorites for podium finishes in their wake. The day’s victory surprisingly went to Guillaume de Mevius/Xavier Panseri (BEL/FRA, Toyota).
The route on the first leg of the Dakar Rally led from al-‘Ula to Al Henakiyah. The start of the stage was reminiscent of the previous day’s prologue and led between rocks and through canyons. The terrain then opened up, alternating between wadis and open terrain. Many changes of direction required wide-awake navigators. Around 130 kilometers led over rough, rocky and twisted terrain over the volcanic rock typical of the region.
QUOTES
“We are quite happy with the start and I think we made the most of our starting position. It helped – with a clear line in the rough terrain, for example – but also cost us time due to the many overtaking maneuvers in the dust.”
YAZEED AL-RAJHI
“An extremely long, extremely tough stage at the start of the Dakar Rally. Unfortunately, we had two punctures early on and had to drive as if on raw eggs for a long time to avoid risking another one – but we were helped, as planned, by the fact that many vehicles created a clear line in front of us.”
TIMO GOTTSCHALK
AND THEN THERE WAS …
… the power of deceleration. At 131 bar, Yazeed Al-Rajhi built up the highest brake pressure in the prologue of the 2024 Dakar Rally. For comparison: This corresponds to the pressure that prevails at a depth of 1,300 meters – and very few submarines can withstand this.