The beginning of the Dakar Rally delayed, a stroke of luck for Sonik

‘Due to heavy rains, winds and storms, the first stage was cancelled. We all gathered at the station before the start line of the special stage where we couldn’t even get, because several kilometres of the area was flooded with water,’ said Rafał Sonik a few moments before he left for Villa Carlos Paz.

The organizers postponed the start of the special stage three times, and in the end they decided to cancel it. All because the safety choppers couldn’t take off – and this is the condition that mus be met before a day on the rally may begin. As things stand, the fans and the competitors, who are spoiling for the fight, will have to wait for the true contest to begin until the Monday morning.

For Rafał Sonik, who had drove over 200 km of the access road to the start line, the decision of the organizers turned out to be very lucky. ‘My iritrack and GPS were completely destroyed by water that damaged the internal electrical wiring. Moments ago the organizers replaced all devices, so that I could know where I am. Had we started on time, this would’ve happened during the special stage,’ said ORLEN Team champion, clearly relieved.

Quads and bikes left in one column along an asphalt road towards the bivouac in Villa Carlos Paz, from where they will drive towards Termas de Rio Hondo on Monday. They will have 786 km to cover, including 450 km of the special stage. No warm up before the start for the competitors.

PKN ORLEN supports Rafał Sonik’s participation in the rally.