Urumqi, May 5 (Lao Xiaofei) On May 24, the 23 China Tour Tower (International) Rally and China Auto Cross Country Rally Championship Xinjiang Stage Competition was held in the Kashgar Division Megati Stage (SS2023). Liu Yangui/Chen Feng of Beijing Motor Team No. 3 became the first car to cross the line, and Bradley John Cox, driver of Team 102 of the Red Camel Rally Racing Team 1 in Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, became the first driver in the motorcycle group to reach the finish line, catching up for a long time in the overall standings.
The SS3 stage takes place in the Taklamakan Desert near N39°, the most difficult area of the Taklamakan Desert, and although it is only 172 kilometers, it fully demonstrates the famous N39° characteristics: the high temperature environment with wind and sand, soft sand and floating sand on the ground, the rider can accidentally get stuck in the car, and it is difficult to get out of the trap. There are countless "chicken pits" and guillotine sand beams nearby, which also increases the mechanical failure rate of racing cars to some extent.
Stage 3 of SS155 gets stuck in the desert. Official photo courtesy of the Tour de Tarri
With a completion rate of less than 2019% in the N39° stage of the 32 Tour de Taral, this year has once again become a nightmare for many drivers. The favorite in the car category of this competition, Han Wei, the No. 103 driver of Zhejiang Lichi Team, suffered a mechanical failure and finally failed to break through, basically missing the podium of this competition. Another favorite to win the T1+ car, Zhang Guoyu, also suffered the double test of getting lost and running out of fuel during the day's race, and Zhang Huijun/Peng Yibo team No. 6 of Mingyuan Industrial CR112 racing team reached out in time to drag Zhang Guoyu's crew, which was parked 18 kilometers from the finish line, back to the camp.
Liu Yangui, the No. 102 driver who finished the race first, said: "I've been racing for so many years, and the N39° desert is really challenging. The car ran in first gear almost the entire time, and luckily it was done without a hitch. ”
Xinjiang native motorcyclist Zakr Yakev drives on the SS3 stage. Official photo courtesy of the Tour de Tarri
Zaker Yakev, driver No. 003 of Xinjiang Wubao Haidao Team, became the third rider in the motorcycle class to finish the race. He said: "Judging from the process of the competition, the level and physical fitness of foreign athletes are really much better than mine, they have many competitions abroad every year, I hope that there will be several such long-distance cross-country races in China every year, and everyone can be exercised and improve their level." ”
The N39° stage has left many motorcyclists struggling, and French driver Neels Theric, No. 010 of Chongqing Kaiyue Off-Road Team, suffered a mechanical failure in the race and had to give up his position at the top of the overall standings.
On the 24th, the 2023 China Tour (International) Rally will usher in the first rest day of the event, and the drivers will also have a rare time to relax, while the team's maintenance technicians will have to work overtime to complete a large number of car maintenance work. (End)