Lategan and Cummings return to Abu Dhabi desert

Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings, who had to bow out of the race due to a boost-related problem in Stage 2, had been again in motion for Stage 3 of the Abu Dhabi Dessert Challenge. The pair posted the third-fastest time on the stage, clearly exhibiting their potential, and had been it not for his or her woes in Stage 2, they could effectively have discovered themselves within the lead of the occasion, following the demise of their teammates. They completed the stage 6min 59sec behind Nasser and Mathieu, however discover themselves in 32^nd place general, following a penalty after they withdrew from Stage 2.

Back in motion for Lategan/Cummings, simply behind Nasser/Mathieu

Nasser Al-Attiyah and co-driver Mathieu Baumel had a snug lead of 18min 19sec going into Stage 3 of the 5-stage race, and managed to improve their lead marginally by the tip of the day. But their efficiency was moot, because the pair had been compelled to withdraw from the race following a high-speed crash close to the tip of the stage, which broken the roll cage of their mighty GR DKR Hilux T1+ past fast restore.

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“Firstly, I would like to extend my sympathy to Nasser and Mathieu, after they crashed out of the race today.”

“It is a stark reminder that motorsport remains dangerous, and even the best crews in the world are sometimes caught out by the terrain. For us, Stage 3 went very well. We managed to stay in touch with the leaders despite starting some way down the order, and we’re pleased to have set the third-fastest time today.”

Lategan after finishing the stage

As with Stage 2, Nasser and Mathieu had been the primary automotive into the stage, which spanned throughout 266km of sandy tracks and dunes. The pair made brief work of the tough stage, constructing a lead all through the day, and seemed on the right track for an additional stage win. But then, catastrophe struck close to the tip of the stage, with the crew rolling the Toyota Hilux T1+ end-over-end 3 times. The security cell carried out as designed, and the crew had been unharmed.

Despite the large impacts, the GR DKR Hilux T1+ proved drivable, and the crew proceeded to the tip of the stage. Thanks to their tenacity and combating spirit, Nasser and Mathieu not solely accomplished the stage, however managed to win it by a margin of 48sec over the second-placed crew of Sebastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin (BRX).

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Unfortunately, an inspection by the FIA post-stage confirmed that the injury to the automotive’s protecting cage was past restore, and the crew had been compelled to retire from the race, dealing a tricky blow to their W2RC aspirations. With that mentioned, that they had secured 15 stage win factors in the direction of their W2RC tally, and whereas an general victory would have bolstered their place, the crew was comfortable to financial institution the factors earned by Nasser and Mathieu.

Two levels stay within the 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, with Stage 4 being the longest of the race. The day is ready to begin with a street part of 128km, taking the crews from the bivouac at Qasr Al Sarab to the beginning of a 308km-long particular stage, once more punctuated by dunes and sandy tracks. A brief liaison of 21km will deliver the crews again to the identical bivouac.

Stage 3 Results

Overall standings after Stage 3

Published by Toyota South Africa on MotorPress

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