Dakar 2007, 2nd leg Portimao-Malaga - The two Fiat PanDAKARs maintain a good speed

The Dakar Rally of the two Fiat Panda Cross’s entered by the Fiat PanDAKAR Team continues, with the satisfaction of a good timed stage. Miki Biasion and Tiziano Siviero took 91^st place over the 67 kilometres of the special stage fought out near Portimao, in Portugal, while French driver Bruno Saby, teamed with Rudy Briani, came 101^st. The two squads of the Fiat PanDAKAR Team therefore gained ground in the overall standings, where they are currently in 133^rd and 135^th place.

The contestants all met serious difficulties in this special stage, on narrow, winding mountain roads over a very hard surface. On this tortuous, insidious route – which included a deep ford that caused problems for numerous teams, the Fiat Panda Cross was in its element, crossing the finishing line ahead of much more powerful cars. Biasion and Saby kept up a constant rhythm, exploiting the excellent handling and roadholding of the Panda, which also proved to be incredibly fast.

The two European legs have not been at all simple and have already caused headaches for many of the favourites, who have gone off the road, suffered punctures or been stuck in the sand.

Now the Dakar 2007 moves to Africa. During the night the caravan will cross the Mediterranean from Malaga to Nador, on the Moroccan coast, from where the third leg will start tomorrow (Monday, January 8). There are 647 km scheduled, 252 of which in special stages. The route will contain many of the pitfalls typical of African roads, including two fords, sandy and stony tracks, and numerous stretches that will need to be approached with off-road techniques. The entire route will be on the slopes of the Atlas mountains. It will be a serious test for the two factory-built Panda Cross’s.