Stéphane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret took advantage of the short final stage of the PAX Rally 2008 to get a last gasp victory in Portimao. After a total 800 kilometres driving against the clock, and half of today`s stage neutralised by a forest fire, Stéphane Peterhansel snatched the victory from the ex World Rally Champion, Carlos Sainz, by 16 seconds.
Luc Alphand was third in the end, bringa successful end to the racing career of the Mitsubishi Montero Evolution with a double success; it will be substituted in the Dakar 2009 by the new Mitsubishi Racing Lancer. In the motorbike category, Marc Coma made sure of a position on the podium after finishing today's stage in third position, behind Rubén Faria the winner of the Rally, and Zé Hélio, second on the stage.
After five days of competition and more than ten hours of fighting against the clock in the centre and south of Portugal, Stéphane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz started the last special stage separated by only 31 seconds. A forest fire in the middle of the route shortened today's stage even more, and at the same time the chances of fighting for the victory. But in the end a Carlos Sainz error allowed the Repsol driver to get a lead of 47 seconds over the Spaniard and so win the Rally in a heart-stopping finale. More at marathonrally.com
Standings here
The Argentinian, Orly Terranova finished the race after suffering some medical problems, but he managed to overcome them and struggled his way up the rally in his BMW X3. But the team faced a number of problems when the car knocked into a stone and damaged the front suspension which sent him way back in the results grid. Also a fire was declared on one of the stages which delayed the race. More here
Watch this video of Orly Terranova on two wheels
Watch an official video of the race
Pax Rally Part 2
Pax Rally Part3
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