Volkswagen team doubled in Sertões (foto: Caetano Barreira/ www.webventure.com.br)
Straight from Natal (RN) In the début of Carlos Sainz, Lucas Cruz, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Timo Gottschalk in Sertões International Rally, Volkswagen teams leave Brazil sure that this is a very hard race, and a great training for the Dakar Rally.
The rally was really hard, difficult and competitive. I am very happy to come to Brazil and race this competition, because I had never been to this country, and it was a good chance to know it. And, most important, the race was awesome for the team and for us. We ended up winning, what made the rally much more interesting, said Carlos Sainz, who won the race along with navigator Lucas Cruz.
Besides racing for the first time in Brazil, Nasser, who placed second, also made his début in Volkswagen team, after many years racing in BMW. I am very happy for my first race with the Touareg. I won six specials, and this was good for me. I liked a lot racing in Brazil, and made good friends here. Im sure to come next year, because this is a fantastic rally. We learned a lot, and I would like to thank Volkswagen and the President. For me, it would be very interesting to come next year. Sertões is awesome. The organization, routes, people. It is a really good rally because, always, every day, we had action, besides the people and drivers. It is really a fantastic rally, celebrates Nasser.
Nassers navigator, Timo, has the same opinion about the hard rally. There were some good moments, but there were also some very hard moments for me. It was a hard rally, and I didnt see it coming. But now there is a good feeling of being here and evaluate. Second place is ok. We know that we were fast and now we have to get better for the next race, he said, also praising the pilot. Nasser is a cool guy, in and out of the car, but in the car he is a professional. Everything needs to be professional when you are working. You need to forget about jokes and struggle for victory, he comments.
First and second places The dispute for Sertões International Rally leadership lasted until the last special, and the time difference between Nasser and Sainz, at some point, were only three seconds, and this has spiced up the rally. It was a hard victory, we were disputing, both cars, each second. There were some days when the road book was a little bit confusing, because we are used to the world championship races, and you have a different way of writing down the crossings and dangers of the way, and this complicates our lives. But, in the end, we managed to win and this was a good result for Volkswagen, the first and second places of the race, said Lucas Cruz.
Even in the second place, Nasser doesnt despair, and celebrates: Im happy, because I am new to the Touareg, and this was my first time in Brazil, while Carlos is experienced. But it was good for me, because I managed to speed a lot, won six stages, and I think we will have good chances to win the next race. It was a fantastic training (for the Dakar).
Este texto foi escrito por: Webventure
Last modified: julho 4, 2009
