Defect stopped the victory race in the tenth stage

10th stage: Córdoba – La Rioja 
Tuesday 15th January 2013 
The connection section: 279 km 
The speed trial: 353 km 
  
The wind stages are changed by the fast ones, the tenth lead trough forrest areas into the desolated places. It was one of the stages with profile more like a classic rally than like a Dakar. The amount of the kilometres checked the drivers and also the technics. 
  
The 503 guys with Princess 69 drove an incredible ride, they were one of the best right from the beginning. In the 7th and 8th checkpoint they were the first. In the section between 8th and 9th checkpoint the crew heard a shot and after 273 km of the speed trial our Tatra had to stop because of an defect. The guys did amazing work and after 8 minutes the wheel was changed. In the ninth checkpoint they were losing about 7 minutes (8th place) and in the tenth checkpoint they were losing about 8 minutes (6th place). Also another drivers had troubles and Aleš finished in the 7th place with losing 5 minutes 46 second to the stage winner, Russian Karginov. If the tear did not broke, Aleš would probably win the race, but if means nothing. Despite that the stage was beautiful and it was big race. De Rooy had once again some troubles, which means he is actually in the 5th place losing 1:20:06 and he is only one place above our 503 crew, that stay in the 6th place with losing 1:32:20 to the winner Nikolaev, the second Martin Kolomný (00:32:23) and the third Mardeev (00:34:10). 

“Traditional mountain stage, that punished all the mistake, because there were no escape zones. Even in the rocks the drivers drifted. Everything worked fine. After the start we missed one turning, so I was a little nervous. I tried to ride as fast as possible. We were checking the stage from the leading point until one of the organisers car chased us. There are more than one on the track (medics, press,...), but they are always standing on the side. If the drive, then very slowly and move away right when they see you. Unfortunately this vehicle was an exception and did not want to move away. We drove behind him in a dust cloud for 7 km. And then the defect came. I do not remember I drove on something, I tried to stay on the track in the mist and as close to the vehicle as possible, to hear the horn. I heard a shot and already knew, what does it mean. I was tired and dehydrated, the stage was physically difficult. I drank 6 litres of the water and one litre of the energy drink 69, but it was not enough. Serge and Radim worked as a F1 mechanics.The whole changing was pretty fast. The wheel screws were extremely hot from the heat coming from the brakes.” Explains Aleš Loprais, what happened on the track. 
  
Tired, however with smile, adds: “I really wanted to add sixth victory in the stage on the Dakar, but I still stay on the number 5. The sixth one is still waiting for us somewhere. I believe in that. We all fight!” There is nothing to add. 
  
11th stage: La Rioja – Fiambalá 

Wednesday 16th January 
Unyielding Fiambalá 

Bikes/Quads 
The connection section: 262 km 
The speed trial: 221 km 

Cars/Trucks 
The connection section: 262 km 
The speed trial: 219 km 

It is very rare for nothing to happen in Fiambalà! And in 2012 rain ensured that this lethal white sand remained firm, allowing the vehicles of the Dakar to pass through this prime spot for getting blocked and for engines to overheat, without recoiling or stalling. These dunes with their very welcoming contours typically have a very unpleasant surprise in store for competitors. Everything is possible in Fiambalá, including in the new strings of dunes featured on the route. The third part of the rally will boast sand once again, and each person will have to adapt his driving and his general approach to the terrain: those who are less attentive will also risk making serious navigational mistakes which will cost them dearly.