More fear than harm! The adventure almost ended earlier than expected and in a dramatic way for Jean-Pierre Strugo. The 80-year-old Ile-de-France driver, who is competing in his 32nd and final Dakar, experienced a big scare during the tenth stage of the prestigious rally.
On Wednesday, three days before the finish of the prestigious rally in Shubaytah (Saturday January 17) in Saudi Arabia, the dean of the event saw his vehicle escape from him at the top of a dune in the Saudi desert. After a series of “caps” (rollovers from the front), the 4×4 came to a stop “on all four wheels” before a fire started, triggered by oil falling on the exhaust pipe, breaking out.
“I didn’t really have time to be afraid for us but afraid of being forced to give up so close to the goal yes,” wrote Yes on the WhatsApp account that he shares with his loved ones to make them experience the adventure from the inside. Then I was afraid of losing the car (because of the fire). Fortunately Kevin (Morel, his co-pilot) came down and very quickly extinguished the fire. »
Once the fear was over, the driver with the white mane was determined to resume the race at the wheel of his 1,500 kg Optimus MD, which was “a little damaged” in terms of the bodywork and the air filter. “As we landed back on our four wheels, without stalling, I was ready to leave,” the person concerned laughed afterwards.
The Yvelinois – he lives in Chatou – will remember this 10th stage for a long time: “my first roll after a hundred rallies including 32 Dakars! “.
After a night of crossing his fingers that the race marshals would let him leave with his co-driver, Jean-Pierre Strugo had a quieter 11th stage: “a super special with a lot of fun”.
The finish line is not very far away for “Jipé” who is determined to finish the event in the best possible way. “I’m aiming for victory in veterans + 75, and since I’m the only one…” he announced with a burst of laughter before the race. Soon the end of a great adventure with the Dakar that began in 1985.
