Dakar 2009 - Stage 9: La Serena - Copiapo - Cars Video

Dakar 2009: Stage 8 - Valparaíso - La Serena Video

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Dakar 2009 Stage 8: Interviews - Cars

Carlos Sainz (Sp – Volkswagen) - 301

“As long as the rally isn’t over, then nothing is certain. Today was the first time we have driven on tracks. In fact, this stage was very much like a traditional rally stage. Up until now, those are the first real tracks that I’ve seen. But it was very nice, very slippery and sometimes quite tricky. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and I hope that we’ll carry on being as successful as we have been today”.

 

Mark Miller (USA – Volkswagen) - 308

“There were a lot of chances to lose the rally today and no chances of making up any time, so it’s not the kind of stage built for me. It was perfect for Carlos (Sainz) and the guys that like the rally stuff. At every turn there was a chance to ruin your race. It was difficult for me, but I did better than I expected so it was a success for me. Starting fifth or sixth tomorrow, maybe it’s an advantage, we’ll see”.

 

Nani Roma (Sp – Mitsubishi) - 304

“We came really close today. After 50 km we had a puncture, a double puncture in fact. We changed a front wheel and re-inflated a rear tire, so we lost quite a bit of time. As regards the gap at the end, after what happened on the stage, it’s not bad at all. It was a really nice stage in driving terms, but also the type of stage on which Carlos is very good. 

But he’s also good at off-track racing. Anyway, in rally-raids there are always surprises. Now we’re going to be faced with two or three very difficult days. Everything can change, and we won’t not let anything go. Just wait and see”.

Dakar 2009 - Stage 8 Valparaíso - La Serena: Sainz stretches lead with stage win

Autosport.com
By Matt Beer Sunday, January 11th 2009, 17:49 GMT

Carlos Sainz has extended his Dakar Rally lead to nearly 11 minutes after dominating stage eight of the event.

The former World Rally champion was just nine seconds clear of his Volkswagen teammate Giniel de Villiers when the rally resumed after Saturday's rest day, but the South African lost ten minutes to Sainz on the run from Valparaiso to La Serena.
Sainz said he had enjoyed the 294-kilometre stage, which was regarded as a relatively straightforward and easy section compared to the extremely punishing courses that will be used during the coming days.

"I think it's a nice track," he said. "Very slippery, sometimes very tricky also - you don't see a corner and then it's turning. We just have to keep going like today, with no problems, go, go, go."

VW continue to hold a one-two-three at the head of the field, with Mark Miller third, eight minutes behind de Villiers. Miller, who was third-fastest today behind Dieter Depping, said he felt the stage had been far better suited to Sainz than those with a background in rally raids.

"Lots of chance to lose your rally, and no chance to make any time really," said the American. "It's not the kind of stage that's built for me. It's perfect for Carlos and the guys that like the rally stuff.

"I stayed within four minutes of Carlos and I thought I would've lost six to eight, so I did better than I was expecting. So for me, it was a success. A few minutes is no big deal."

Joan Roma remains a distant fourth in the sole remaining factory Mitsubishi, with Robby Gordon hanging on to fifth in his Hummer despite losing a lot of time today when he became stuck on rocks while crossing a dried-up river bed.

Standings after Stage 8