Green light for Desafío Ruta 40 YPF

After an intense day of work, the teams went through the Administrative Verifications and Scrutineering, now it’s time to start the first stage in La Rioja. Tomorrow, the fourth round of the World Rally Raid Championship will have the first timed sector with the Prologue in Dique Los Sauces, as from 03.00pm, and then it will be the turn of the Starting Ceremony at Superdomo Stadium, from 03.00pm with an incredible musical show and aerobatics.

Fans in La Rioja and the main drivers and riders of the World Rally Raid Championship already had their first meeting this Saturday while the protagonists completed the pre-competition checks. However, tomorrow will be the time for the most awaited moment for everyone, that is when the engines start.

Throughout Saturday each of the crews went through the facilities of Superdomo Stadum, epicentre of the activity of Desafío Ruta 40 YPF in the capital city of La Rioja.

Meanwhile, this Sunday, it will be time for the first timed kilometres, with a prologue just over 9,000 metres long, which will allow the riders and drivers to decompress on a spectacular winding route along Los Sauces Dam, very close to the centre of the city of La Rioja.

In the afternoon, after the action, it will be time for the show at the Superdomo Stadium. From 06.00pm the public will be able to enjoy a show of aerobatics by the famous pilot Jorge Malatini, followed by a freestyle show with a battle between Alkoy and Jaff. The main event will start at 07:30pm, with each of the competitors passing through the impressive start ramp.

Desafío Ruta 40 Pre-Event Press Conference: All the voices, the joy of being back in Argentina and a bit of football.

The opening press conference for Desafío Ruta 40 YPF was also held this Saturday. «I’m very excited to be back here, especially for what the fans give to all the competitors, and regarding to the competition, I want to do a smart race, get to the end and enjoy it», said Toby Price (RED BULL KTM Factory Racing) who has come to this race as the current leader of the championship in RallyGP. His runner-up, Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna Factory Racing) also talked about the «battle» ahead during these days of action in DR40: «I am very close to Toby (Price) in the championship, but it’s a very long race, I have to focus on doing well during all the stages. My goal is to go day by day and see how it goes».

Manuel Andujar (Quads) also talked about the great comeback of this race: «I started in the sport very late, I only had one chance to race Desafío Ruta 40 and experience it from the inside. For me it was a fantastic race and the most beautiful one I’ve ever experienced. To be able to come back after a couple of years, to be here in our provinces and to compete in a race for the W2RC gives me goosebumps, I’m very excited and very happy».

Nasser Al Attiyah (Toyota Gazoo Racing), one of the most welcome competitors by the home crowd, said: «Argentina is like my second home because of the fans I have here. Having the chance to race in the region again brings back very good memories, I love to see the people and I miss it when I’m away from these lands. In addition, the Qatari driver referred to Argentina and Messi’s World Cup victory: «Argentina winning the World Cup was a very nice thing, -I feel sorry for France-, especially to see the support of their fans 100% committed to the team and that’s what you see, the passion of the Argentinians».

Cristina Gutiérrez (Red Bull Can-Am Factory Team) said: «In Argentina we feel at home and even more so in my case because I speak Spanish. I’ve never raced in Desafío Ruta 40, but I remember when the Dakar used to go through these lands and I’m really looking forward to giving it all in this race».

While Pablo Eli (Sporting Director of Desafío Ruta 40 YPF), gave some details of the race: «We have worked on making a varied competition, the country allows it. We designed stages 100% Rally tracks and stages completely off road, so it’s going to be a fun race, not monotonous at all. We worked on making the race a bit lighter than other years, as we have always done challenges that are really tough, according to the riders’ comments, so we decided to do something more enjoyable for everyone».