May time bonuses remedy the “yo-yo impact” on the Dakar Rally?

The general classification of the Dakar Rally stays tight, with the top-seven drivers separated by beneath 20 minutes. However every day stage outcomes frequently noticed surprises and a pendulum impact, as anybody ending among the many entrance positions on one stage had virtually no likelihood of creating the highest 10 the subsequent day.

The stage winner has to begin open the operating on the next day and thus tackle the duty of navigation. For the rivals behind, navigation turns into simpler as a result of they will observe the tracks, which normally makes them sooner.

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“From an out of doors perspective, we develop a method initially of the race to remain someplace within the center and keep away from the yo-yo impact,” Dacia crew principal Tiphanie Isnard instructed Motorsport.com. “It really works.

“It’s laborious to analyse what’s taking place at Dakar proper now, however I feel our technique is paying off. We simply must handle issues neatly.”

After Stage 7, Dacia driver is main the general standings, however has solely claimed one stage win – and Mattias Ekstrom is the one a number of winner having topped the Prologue and Stage 7.

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“I feel it takes some effort to essentially perceive the way it all evolves,” Ford crew boss Matthew Wilson instructed Motorsport.com.

“One purpose why this sport is so standard – and why we’ve got so many entries within the Final class – might be the best way the laws are constructed. They be certain that nearly daily a distinct driver can win a stage. For a driver you may name semi-professional, a stage win at Dakar is a big achievement.”

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#226 Ford M-Sport Ford: Mattias Ekstrom, Emil Bergkvist

As an example, Ford privateer Martin Prokop scored two third locations and one second place. That’s extraordinarily worthwhile for sponsors and the media again dwelling.

The Final T1+ class is booming. Beneath the laws, the vehicles from Toyota, Ford, Dacia, X-raid, and Century are virtually on the identical degree. The standardised torque curve and the utmost high pace of 170 km/h stability out the efficiency.

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That’s why virtually 15 or extra vehicles can win a stage. “The beginning place makes an enormous distinction,” Sebastien Loeb instructed Motorsport.com. “Prior to now, there have been three or 4 of us combating for the highest. That was superb; all of us stayed comparatively shut collectively.

“Even when one opened the stage, the final of us may nonetheless end fourth. However now there are 15, typically 20 quick vehicles. The time gaps right now come extra from monitor place than from the driving force.”

Ought to there be time credit just like the bike class?

“It’s tough when you could have an unfavourable beginning place,” stated the Frenchman. Within the bike class, a bonus system has been in place for a number of years. Riders who lead the sphere and deal with the navigation obtain time credit.

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This technique compensates for the drawback of opening the stage. The query now’s whether or not comparable time bonuses would make sense for the vehicles. Opinions within the bivouac are divided.

“Possibly, however it will make issues even tougher to know,” stated Loeb. “Even now, individuals who aren’t deeply concerned in our sport typically battle to know the foundations. In case you add one thing like that, it will get much more advanced.”

#219 The Dacia Sandriders Dacia: Sebastien Loeb, Edouard Boulanger

Nonetheless, Loeb can be open to adopting an identical time-bonus idea: “A bonus system might be an answer. I’m not the organiser, so it’s not my choice, however it might be potential.”

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His Dacia team-mate Al-Attiyah wouldn’t be towards it both: “In case you, for instance, are the one opening the route, you might get a bonus – why not? Then all of a sudden everybody would need to open.”

Ford driver Carlos Sainz Sr takes a extra nuanced view and factors out an necessary element: “I’m probably not in favour. What I don’t like is that so long as the bikes are in entrance of us, the whole lot’s superb.

“The large yo-yo impact is coming when there are not any motorbikes in entrance. I’d say perhaps give slightly bit extra space, however in all probability we do not want it.”

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Often, the vehicles begin after the bikes and may observe their tracks. Solely in the course of the 4 marathon levels are the routes separate, which means the primary vehicles should navigate totally on their very own with out seen tracks.

“For the bikes, it’s a problem daily; for us, it will solely apply to 2 or 4 levels,” stated X-raid boss Sven Quandt. “And that raises the query: does it make sense to introduce such a system for just some levels or not?

“It could be ultimate if the routes have been all the time separate, that may be honest. In case you implement it for 4 levels, it’s a must to ask: does it really make sense? That’s actually the important thing query – whether or not it will be honest and make sense mathematically ultimately.

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“This subject will definitely come up once more after Dakar, as a result of for outsiders it’s very laborious to know why somebody misplaced simply because they have been opening the highway.

“That doesn’t actually make sense, and it’s virtually not possible to win two days in a row. That solely occurs if it’s a route the place you may see on a regular basis the place you’re going. If there’s a whole lot of navigation concerned, it turns into very tough.”

Photographs from Dakar Rally – Stage 7#226 Ford M-Sport Ford: Mattias Ekstrom, Emil Bergkvist

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