On Saturday, the Dakar Argentina Chile 2011 was launched. A prologue stage in which the chronometers were not started and which served for the teams to get into the rhythm of the race. With a long link stage of about 400 kilometers, the toughest rally raid in the world was launched for another year. The Guardia Civil Rallye Raid team has started the adventure with many problems and have had to change the gearbox of their vehicle.
The opening ceremony of the Dakar 2011 was held in the Obelisco square in Buenos Aires. The participants passed through the starting podium and greeted the thousands of fans who crowded the starting line. José Manuel Salinero and José Manuel Galán with the number 394 on their Terrano Prototype with Mitsubishi engine, were able to enjoy a festive day.
The participants had to face a long link route, with about 400 kilometers and where the chronometers were not started. The link stage took place between the cities of Buenos Aires and Victoria. What apparently seemed like a trouble-free and easy stage for the mechanics of the vehicles, became an odyssey for the members of the Guardia Civil Rallye Raid team.
15 kilometers from the finish line in Victoria, the vehicle suffered a breakdown and the mechanics have been working all night to replace the car's gearbox. Early in the morning of this Sunday the mechanical work was finished and a series of tests were carried out. Salinero and Galán were listening to noises in the vehicle and were not very happy with the behavior the car was having.
Despite the difficulties they are going through, José Manuel Galán was optimistic and commented that "what starts badly ends well", with the firm hope of solving the mechanical problems of the car and being able to start competing in optimal conditions.
The Dakar Argentina Chile 2011 officially starts on this Sunday, with a stage that will run between the cities of Victoria and Córdoba. Before the start of the stage, the participants will have to make a link of 566 kilometers and the timed section will be 222 kilometers.
The route will run along a very fast track where the engines of the vehicles and motorcycles will be tested. As the kilometers progress, the route will be more mountainous, so the driving technique will be fundamental to avoid problems.
