own to the line...
Tunisia : Team Dessoude - Leg 9
| 03/05/08 20:12 |
|

|
The last stage, between Ksar Ghilane and Djerba, was full of suspense, with the final hierarchy still to be defined. However, after a 286 km timed stage, there were no changes to the positions set the day before. Dominique Housieaux took the win, ahead of Eric Vigouroux, while Christian Lavieille climbed onto the third step of the podium, with the Dessoude Proto. Plenty of satisfaction for the whole
team, and most particularly for André Dessoude.
This final, extremely technical, stage, between Ksar Ghilane and El Kantara, kept the suspense going until the very end. While Dominique Housieaux had a lead of just 12 seconds, Eric Vigouroux, on the attack, made a navigational mistake and lost all hopes of victory. As an outsider, Christian Lavieille did not relax, waiting for any of his rivals to make a mistake. Eventually, the Team Dessoude driver finished third, 14 minutes behind Eric Vigouroux.
Christian, who finished in second position in Tunisia in 2007, did not appear too disappointed: « Globally, I am quite satisfied. We finished third in the rally, and it was not easy, especially as on a personal level I had a difficult week, due to the death of my mother the day before the start. I am pleased with the final result, I am just sorry that I made some mistakes, but everyone made some errors.
"
« We had some navigational problems, as well as getting beached twice, which lost us 25 minutes, but we were not the only ones to have had their fare share of problems. I think we finished in the right place. Our pace was off at the start, I thought my rhythm was right, but it turned out that it wasn't. The thing I am particularly happy with the handling of the car. All the evolutions we made were very positive, especially over the sand and the camel grass, where there are real improvements. We also gained in speed. There is still some work to be done, but André Dessoude's team did excellent work every evening. The mechanics gave me a perfect car for each and every special stage. I am happy. I would have preferred to have won... but all drivers are the same in that respect! »
Having finished on the podium of this event on many occasions, François Borsotto gave his comments: « The final classification is logical. We did the best we could, and given normal conditions, we could not catch the buggy. I'm back on the podium in this event, for the 7th or 8th time!»

|


|
 |
 |
 
  |  |
 |
|












| Find our store's complete range of articles :
|
 |
|
|

|