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Issue #3:January 7, 2025
The grueling 48H CHRONO STAGE of the 2025 Dakar Rally took place over two days, January 5th and 6th, covering a 967 km SS (Special Stage) on a loop course starting in the mountainous region of southwestern Saudi Arabia in Bisha.
In the Stock (Production Car) category, TLC's Land Cruiser 300s overcame some minor issues. Car #501, with Ronald Basso and Jean-Pierre Garcin, proceeded carefully and finished 121st overall in the Car category and 1st in the Stock (Production Car) category. Car #500, with Akira Miura and Jean-Michel Polato, which encountered electrical issues on both days, finished 130th overall and 2nd in the same category. As a result, the cumulative rankings as of January 6th placed car #501 112th overall and 1st in the Stock (Production Car) category, and car #500 120th overall and 2nd in the same category.
The journey began on the morning of the 5th, departing from the Bisha bivouac and moving 45 km via liaison (transfer section) to the SS start point west of the bivouac. The SS formed a large loop extending northward, mostly on a different route from the bikes. To reduce the dangers of driving after sunset, the organizers set up temporary bivouacs at six points (A to F) along the course. Competitors reaching these points after the designated time were not allowed to proceed further and were required to spend the night at the designated location. On the following morning (January 6), they restarted the stage from their respective positions and aimed for the finish line. After completing the SS, teams returned to the Bisha bivouac via a 46 km liaison.
The SS terrain greatly varied between unpaved roads of dirt and sand and rocky areas and dunes, and included some complex navigation sections.
Starting in 105th position overall in the Car category, car #501 kept a steady pace, encountering only one flat tire and a dust-clogged air filter, which they replaced. After reaching bivouac A at the 491 km mark in 129th position overall, they spent the night there.
Meanwhile, car #500, starting in 107th position overall, found a minor issue with the driveshaft and performed work to replace it at the 238 km mark. During the repair, another electrical issue arose, resulting in a total time loss of about 3 hours. However, they picked up the pace and continued, arriving at bivouac A (the same as car #501) at around 11:30 pm, just an hour before the cut-off time, in 153rd position overall.
Both TLC cars restarted on the morning of the 6th, but car #500 experienced recurring electrical issues midway through the course. Fortunately, car #501 caught up from behind and was able to assist, allowing them both to reach the finish line together.
On January 7, Stage 3 is scheduled to cover 327 km between Bisha and Al Henakiyah.
Miura (driver): We maintained a fast pace during the second half yesterday, but we hit sunset on the way. Luckily, we were able to cross the difficult dunes before dark. I'm relieved that we finished THE 48H CHRONO STAGE, but at the same time, I'm quite disappointed.
Basso (driver): It was a long and tough two-day stage. But I'm glad that both of our cars made it back together. I'm proud of that.