Women push through Dakar Rally Stage 8 – Bike, Car, Challenger, SSV, and Truck categories. With a total of 678kms to complete, including 458kms in 2 separate timed sections, all women vowed to strengthen resolve given the sheer magnitude of energy, effort, physical and mental exertion all have deployed over Stages 1 through to 8.
And, the pressure is mounting on whether to play the hand of maintaining consistency of performance versus push that bit further in speed while still saving rider, driver, co-driver and vehicles from misfortune which plagues the Dakar Rally from start to finish.
Crunch times for the women who have raced, remained in contention, and matched their male counterparts at the pointy end of results, and there is alot riding on who will keep apace given just in Stage 8 alone, there were 18 withdrawals – outside the 51 retirements from Stages 1 – 7.
In Bike category, British rider Jane Daniels is making a grand impression competing on debut, even though #110 stated after 48H Chrono she ‘didn’t even know what day it was anymore, everything is a blur’. Making mince-meat of Stage 8, Jane was struck by the Dakar Spirit, when she came across fellow team-rider needing help. In mere blink, the nice rhythm on the bike was replaced with towing both rider and bike back to Stage 8 finish – clocking up 125kms which placed her in 73rd position for the day.
Having caused a stir in the who’s-who’s of the T1+ category, Aliyyah Koloc proved her sand-dune driving was no illusion finishing SS8 in 21st position in total of 3H 50′ 31″. Spanish driver Laia Sanz was equally impressive in T1.2 category, holding top 3 position after Stage 8 Special, despite experiencing a power problem – noting that ‘we think it’s been some sensor. We hope to be able to do a clean stage tomorrow’.
In Challenger category, plenty of changes up front occurred post Rest Day – not just the disqualification of overall leader for violating FIA vehicle regulations, but the fact that Spanish driver Cristina Gutierrez has proved real threat to her competition, posting 3rd in SS8. With times close between top 3 in General standings, cris-tortu and co-driver Pablo Moreno Huete have all capabilities to test their own strength of mind to making it to the finish on top of the table board.
Even the unfortunate incident which put Dania Akeel on the back-burner of Challenger rankings, the Saudi Arabian female driver made short work of SS8, finishing in 14th position, with Dakar Legend Camelia Liporati and co-driver Rodolfo Guillioli completing the dunes and rocky passes in 26th.
X-Raid Yamaha Supported Team duo of Annett Quandt and Annie Seel rounded out SS8 in 29th, having met with one-too-many mechanical issues heading into the final leg of Dakar Stages 9 – 12.
If it’s too soon to celebrate the 3 women ranked in the top 10 of SSV General classification, it is most certainly relevant to state their skillful, determined, and focused approach on staying true to goals set many moons ago, to not only race Dakar, but to finish.
Not that American driver Sara Price and co-driver Jeremy Gray are here to prove their place amongst the best Rally-Raid driver’s in the world, Sara’s debut entry is more about showcasing her talents behind the wheel from competing in America’s Baja’s, to racing Dakar, and currently standing 3rd overall.
And, the theme continues with rookie entry Christine GZ giving each and every Stage her all, finishing SS8 in 15th, with co-driver Ricardo Torlaschi. From posting ‘just completed 48H Chrono in the desert…time to sleep…bye‘ to ‘we need to work hard to get to the finish…let’s go‘ Christine GZ carries plenty of positive vibes – remarkable after all that she has raced over the past 8 days.
Third female rookie in Challenger currently standing 10th in SSV General rankings, Emilijia Gelazninkiene has made sharp upward trajectory of results from major set-back-incident in Stage One. Confirming her priceless role behind the Team’s Can-Am Maverick XRS Turbo with co-driver/husband Arunas Gelazninkas, Emilijia has eyes firmly fixed on crossing the Final Stage 12 finish, at Yanbu on January 19.
Completing the wrap on Women racing Dakar Rally 2024 Stage 8, heralds Rebecca Busi charging her way past misfortune to finish SS8 in 20th position in SSV, as well as trio of: Anja van Loon, Floor Maten, and Marije Ettekoven who re-bound time-and-time again hauling the Team’s monster truck to finish SS8 in 9th place.
Dakar Rally Stage 9 Hai’l to AlUla total of 639kms with 417kms timed.
Header photo: Aliyyah Koloc Image: Buggyra ZM Racing Graphics MXLink
Words: Sharon Cox.
Comments are closed.