MADRID, 27 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish driver Laia Sanz “does not” detract “value” from the fact of “having finished so many” Dakar Rally events, but advocates “doing well” as her main objective in the imminent 2024 edition, which for her will be at the wheel of one of the Astara Team ‘buggys’.
“We have to set the goal of fighting to do well in our category, but I am convinced that, if we do well there, we will also do well in the general classification,” Sanz declared to her own press team.
“Perhaps I would prefer, for example, to finish the test on day 10, but to have 10 super good days, driving well and being at the front. The objective is to finish, but that is not enough for me; I am competitive and what I want is to achieve a good position “I don’t take away the value of having finished so many Dakars, but what I want is to do well,” he stated.
To do this, he will participate in the 4×2 category (T1.2) with his co-pilot Maurizio Gerini. He will do it with the Astara 02 Concept, a more evolved vehicle than the one he drove in the last edition. It is a two-wheel drive prototype weighing 1,580 kg, the lightest weight in the category, powered by a 2,900 cm3 biturbo V6 engine with direct injection, instead of the 7-liter naturally aspirated V8 of the 01 Concept.
“We are going with a better car, and Maurizio and I really want to get rid of the pain of last year. The experience acquired and knowing the vehicle well in terms of mechanics makes us stronger. The Astara 02 Concept has a more efficient engine, smaller, located lower to lower the center of gravity and weighs less, which makes the behavior better,” explained Sanz.
“In terms of traction, it is also superior to the previous model, and on bumps it is safer. In addition, there is a little more visibility on the front hood, which for me was one of the most important points to improve. It works very well in fast stages, with stones and potholes, but obviously, being a 4×2, the weak point is the dunes. There you are at a great disadvantage compared to the T1+ 4×4”, added the Catalan driver.
Finally, he analyzed his extensive career in raids. “I am left with the positive, which is the growth as a driver, the improvement, the consistency… I have always been good, I have improved a lot in hand-to-hand combat and, above all, my confidence. Now I go out knowing that I can do it, I can win my sleeves and help the team. I think my pace also has to be noticed in the Dakar,” Sanz concluded.
2023-12-27 21:08:24
#dont #detract #finished #Dakars
