Morocco Rally: Sonik dominates although power steering failed
Rafał Sonik outdistanced the rivals and won the second stage of the Morocco Rally and now leads the general classification. Minor technical problems couldn’t have been avoided, but he doesn’t complain, because the quad is being tested and each failure now means less problems during the Dakar Rally.
‘The first stage of the special stage was very pleasant. We had a lot of fun driving through the dunes. Later, the steering dumper – the quad’s equivalent of power steering – started to cause trouble. My hands and arms bore the entire burden of driving the Raptor. I have blisters on my hands, but I’m not complaining, this is yet another experience for me,’ said Sonik.
The World Cup winner also had problems with the manometer. ‘Each wheel had a different pressure level, and the quad rode unevenly. I arrived 20 minutes later than I could because of the two failures, but considering that, my result is great. Compared to yesterday, this stage was shorter – but much, much harder,’ commented Orlen Team member.
SuperSonik had a surprise waiting for him at the finish line, in the form of a group of several dozen fans from Poland. ‘I’ve seen them earlier, as they drove along the route of special stage. They sang “Happy Brithday” for me at the finish line, we took loads and loads of photos, and we talked for a long while. It was fantastic! So many fellow Poles in the middle of the Sahara desert – that has never happened before,’ smiled Sonik.
On Wednesday, the participants will face a lot of sand and dunes, and at the end of the 274-kilometre-long special stage, they will encounter a longer section with sharp stones. Navigation will be the key to success.
PKN ORLEN supports Rafał Sonik’s participation in the rally.
Results of the second stage:
1. Rafał Sonik (POL) 03:13.37
2. Aleksandr Maksimov (RUS) + 55.19
3. Brice Auert (FRA) + 1:09.24
General classification:
1. Rafał Sonik (POL) 08:04.36
2. Aleksandr Maksimov (RUS) + 7:58.41
3. Brice Auert (FRA) + 09:48.25