The 12th stage full of cheering and the last section like a turtle

12th stage: Fiambalá – Copiapó 
Thursday 17th January 2013 
The connection section: 396 km 
The speed trial: 319 km 
   
This time racers crossed the Andes from east to west through the St. Francis pass and returned to the Atacama Desert. The organisers had arranged almost all the possible pitfalls that you can imagine in this marathon rally – from fesh– fesh sand to gravel and rocky paths. So it was the diverse terrain that was predestined for the big race and compete the best riders. Most of the sand dunes were waiting in the middle of the stage. Their height was majestic, as well as the depth of valleys and hollows between them. Large temperature differences made difficulties mainly to motorcycles riders but also tested the technique of cars and trucks. The swollen Rio Grande, which caused the cancellation of the rest of the 11th stage, today brought bedstraw only fans who follow the whole Dakar convoy. 

The fight between the best riders was huge, only with seconds difference. One of them was definitely Princess 69 with the crew, especially in the first half of the stage. We did not even noticed, that they had troubles with gear stick. We heard this news from Aleš about the drama on the last part of the stage: “Capiapo, traditionally difficult dune stage. The beginning was pretty good, we were fighting to get between the best 3 stage teams. However, in the last third of the race we started to have problem with gear. We were able to shift only 2 gear and only the slow ones, so the system called turtle. It was suffering, because sometimes we needed higher speed. For example, in some dunes we did not have enough speed and had to jump some places trough air, to keep the speed to the next dune. I was worried about the clutch, because it absorbed bigger endurance. I could not shift backwards, which might be fatal in dunes. I tried not to make any mistake, because rescuing the Tatra from dune field would take the support trucks about 2 days. We finished with the turtle mode 4 minutes after the winner, which is for us after those problems little victory. Keep on pushing!” So we continues in the pressure and also in the race. 
   
Even though the huge support did not mean we won the stage, the “jackpot” is that after all those troubles the crew got into finish with only 4:02 loss to the winner Karginov. We are still staying in the sixth place and make fun, if the Princess 69 does not want to stay in this place only because of the image. The mechanics will definitely repair “the turtle system” and Aleš, Radim and Serge will have to coax the Princess to finish in better place. 
   
13th stage: Copiapó – La Serena 

Friday 18th January 
Time for an attack? 

Bikes/Quads 
The connection section: 294 km 
The speed trial: 441 km 

Cars/Trucks 
The connection section: 294 km 
The speed trial: 441 km 

The race organisers impeached also the weather. The first part of the stage in Camanchac will be very difficult. Right after the morning mist will disappear, the first competitors will head to the track. The last sand dunes of this years Dakar will be waiting for them. One third of the race will be heading on the sand routes, where it is possible to fight. The compass hand will point to the south and there will be only wide routes leading to the finish. However, some hidden rock might destroy all the dreams about finishing the Dakar. Last bivouac will be in La Serena.