Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz in the Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 defended their second position in the overall standings on the 268 kilometre loop around the desert oasis El Borma. As yesterdayÂs stage winners the South African-German duo were first to enter the stage, but were still able to match the pace of overall leader Stéphane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi). Volkswagen works driver Carlos Sainz and co-driver Michel Périn walked away unharmed after rolling, but were unable to finish the stage.
Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)
ÂTwo positive points for Volkswagen Motorsport: Carlos Sainz and Michel Périn are uninjured following unlucky accident. The Race Touareg 2 once again proved just how safe and stable it is. Giniel de Villiers strengthened his grip on second place with a strong drive.Â
#201 Â Giniel de Villiers (RSA), 4th place (day) / 2nd position overall
ÂWe followed the motorbike tracks at the beginning. Afterwards there werenÂt any more tracks to follow and it was difficult being the lead car. When Stéphane Peterhansel caught us after 90 kilometres we decided to driver tactically and to follow him. Peterhansel was really pushing. We matched his pace and accompanied him to the stage finish. Because Peterhansel started behind us, we lost 2:21 minutes to him. The Race Touareg 2 ran perfectly again, all in all a difficult but interesting day.Â
Pos. Team Vehicle Stage 4 Total time
1. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-P. Cottret (F/F) Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution 2h 37m 32s (1st) 10h 44m 42s
2. Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (RSA/D) Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 2h 39m 53s (4th) + 6m 52s
3. Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (F/F) Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution 2h 37m 50s (2nd) + 11m 25s
4. Jean-L. Schlesser/François Borsotto (F/F) Schlesser-Ford 2h 38m 04s (3rd) + 14m 16s
5. Hiroshi Masuoka/Pascal Maimon (J/F) Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution 2h 41m 16s (5th) + 41m 01s
