Press Release 01_2019
Lima (Peru) – The official opening ceremony of the 41st edition of the rally Dakar took place today, January 6th, in Magdalena del Mar, Lima, the same place that will see the end of the race on the 17th, after 10 stages and 5 thousand km of which 3000 of special.
After the technical and administrative checks of the past few days, the Xtreme+ crews have taken off at the wheel of the performing Polaris RZR 1000 Turbo prepared in the French workshops of Gorrevod. Official bearer of CST Tires, the French Eric Abel and Christian Manez (#341) will take to the track tomorrow for their first participation in the most famous rally in the world: the two friends, who have a long history of participation in rally-raids, support also the Leo Association that is dedicated to small patients with myelomas.
From Poland, Maciej Domzala with Rafal Marton, on Polaris RZR 1000 Turbo #376, will be at the start of his second race after the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge of 2018 in which he won the second overall finish. The goal of the Polish driver is to cross the finish line of this edition of the Dakar alongside a co-pilot who boasts ten rally races as well as Cross Country championships in Poland and Europe.
Debut in the Dakar also for the Mexican Santiago Garcia Creel in the race with the Polaris RZR 1000 Turbo #362: to sail the winner of prestigious competitions including Baja 1000, Baja 500 and San Felipe 250 there will be the Polish Szymon Gospodarczyk.
With the number #359 the Dakar 2019 will see Ronald Basso paired with Julien Menard. Both French, they competed together with the Merzouga Rally, the Baja Portalegre 500 and the Dakar rally in the car category. Third on Polaris RZR at Merzouga 2017, they will face this new challenge with the colors of the French Xtreme+ Team.
Finally, the Xtreme Plus Team Manager, Marco Piana, will take to the track with the Toyota Land Cruiser #380 as a quick assistance to Polaris crews. At his side, the Swiss co-driver Steven Griener.
To make the Dakar adventure possible, Xtreme Plus pilots and co-pilots will have a strong team of mechanics available for a total of 5 support vehicles (2 Man 4×4, 1 Renault Mascot, 1 Renault Kerax and 1 Ford 150 press car) available from bivouac to bivouac in addition to the fast assistance vehicle engaged in the race.
Tomorrow, January 7th, the Dakar 2019 will start with the first stage that from Lima will head to Pisco for a total of 331 km of which 247 of liason and 84 of special: the route will accompany the crews from the capital of Peru to the nice town overlooking the Pacific Ocean, in the region of Ica.
Press Office Xtreme Plus Team
Sonja Vietto Ramus