Problems force Neves and Bampi forfeit (foto: David Santos Jr)
Without much time to train and get to know each other, Mauricio Neves and Eduardo Bampi came to the rally with an opportunity to drive the car that won the last Dakar. But until now, their results are not quite satisfying. Today, besides breaking the Touaregs suspension, the Brazilian team forfeited, what might cost their chance to win Sertões.
Despite being the only pilot from VW team that wasnt able to cross the place where they had the accident, the pilot said that he was not to blame for the problem. On Km 50, we got to a longitudinal cattle grid and there was a stuck bike over it. I slowed down, engaged first gear and thought Im going to pass. If Nasser passed, so am I. But I was too slow. As Nasser went much faster, his car jumped, and I didnt. When I stopped and started back, the rear of the car fell into the bridge and broke down. I tried to fix a makeshift with the webbing, but they only lasted 10Km. After that I stopped. After that, I stopped, disassembled the entire car, waiting for my team truck. There were some guys that follow the rally on a pickup truck, and they offered me a welding machine. As I had the car in pieces, I welded the triangle, made a makeshift, and went on. I found my teams truck around 20 Km later. Things happen, it wasnt my fault, or our fault. I would be more resigned if this should be my mistake, or a navigation mistake, but ruin my race because of a guy that huh But thats it. Rally mixes professionals, amateurs, and this could happen to anyone.
But Neves didnt lost his will for the rest of the rally, since there are still eight stages to go.
With information from Thiago Padovani, from Cidade de Goiás (GO)
Este texto foi escrito por: Redação Webventure
Last modified: junho 25, 2009
