Press release
10 October 2016
Rally Oilibya of Maroc 2016 completed with three MINI ALL4
Racing in the final top five. Challenging North Africa terrain
proves to be valuable test ahead of countdown to
2017 Dakar Rally
Russian duo Vasilyev / Zhilstsov complete Rally Oilibya of Maroc 2016
with third place. Terranova (ARG) / Fiúza (POR) take fourth.
Przygonski (POL) / Colsoul (BEL) secure fifth spot. Garafulic (CHI) /
Palmeiro (POR) seal top ten placing with ninth place.
Munich. 1885 km of varying degrees of difficult
terrain proved to be ideal testing conditions for the MINI ALL4 Racing
family throughout the six days of the Rally Oilibya of Maroc 2016.
Performance and durability testing, along with chassis set-up, were
priority for the crews and these were achieved with success by way of reward.
Three MINI ALL4 Racing placed inside the overall top five results.
The long-standing pairing of Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS) and Konstantin
Zhilstsov (RUS) finished third at the end of the hotly contested
desert rally. A remarkable achievement indeed considering their
ultimate aim was to secure information ahead of the Dakar Rally in
January 2017.
“We are happy,” said Vasilyev. “The MINI ALL4 Racing ran very well.
We had no problems whatsoever – neither technical nor when it came to
driving and navigating. For us, it was about testing our car and the
suspension in particular.”
Another outstanding performance was also displayed in Morocco by
experienced crew members Orlando Terranova (ARG) / Paulo Fiúza (POR).
Together they placed their MINI ALL4 Racing fourth overall. Utilising
Orlando’s South American home knowledge and proficiency in vehicle set
up means the MINI ALL4 Racing crew family for Dakar 2017 will be
technically prepared for the ‘Big One’.
Kuba Przygonski (POL) and Tom Coulsoul (BEL) not only achieved a
magnificent result with fifth place overall, but also highlighted how
rapid the Polish driver can be with greater familiarisation of the
MINI ALL4 Racing.
“Last year, my experience with the car in the dunes was limited,”
said Przygonski “Now, the fifth place reflects the progress I made.
The cooperation with Tom is great; we speak the same language. Fifth
place is a really fine result and I hope that we also will be fast at Dakar.”
The fourth MINI ALL4 Racing to finish in the top ten results was that
of Boris Garafulic (CHL) and co-driver Filipe Palmeiro (POR). The six
days of intense and arduous racing across some fierce terrain
obviously provided greater experience for the driver from Chile but
especially the Marathon Stage where an overnight bivouac meant no
outside servicing assistance.
The MINI ALL4 Racing crews of Yazeed Al Rajhi (KSA) and co-driver
Timo Gottschalk (GER) and Mikko Hirvonen (FIN) /Michel Périn (FRA) did
not fare so well in Morocco. Bad luck and illness forced both crews
into retirement from the race but not before returning invaluable
feedback from the covered stages.
Baja Portalegre 500 is the final round of the FIA Cross Country World
Cup. Although not a long distance event, the racing action will fast
and furious and another ideal venue for testing ahead of the 2017
Dakar Rally.
Rally Oilibya of Maroc 2016
: MINI ALL4 Racing final standings
Race calendar: 2016 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies.
19/02 – 22/02 Baja Russia
02/04 – 7/04 Abu Dhabi Desert
Challenge
17/04 – 22/04 Sealine Cross-Country Rally Qatar
23/06 – 26/06 Italian Baja
22/07 – 24/07 Baja Aragón
11/08
– 14/08 HunGarian Baja
25/08 – 28/08 Baja Poland
03/10 – 08/10 Rallye Oilibya du Maroc
21/10 – 23/10 Baja
Portalegre 500
Find reports, photos and videos in high resolution of previous MINI
ALL4 Racing activity on the BMW Media Website by clicking here.