Tim and Tom Coronel were thoroughly enjoying the third stage of the Dakar Rally 2023 so much that they were sorry it had to be stopped at 377 kilometers (out of 447). Rain, hail and thunderstorms forced the organizers to make that decision. “We saw lightning flashing around us left and right,” Tom told us, en route to the bivouac in Ha’il.
“A lot of the stretches we drove we recognized from previous years”
Tom Coronel – Dakar (Co-) Driver
At the point where the race was stopped for the cars, Tim and Tom had driven the 21st fastest time with their Century. “I think we did well,” Tom said. “We drove smart, had no flat tires, navigated well. There was a plateau in the course – super beautiful by the way – where it was really hard to find the route. I think a lot left time there.”
The course of the third stage was breathtakingly beautiful, Tim and Tom thought. “It’s a shame it was flagged down earlier, because wow! How beautiful. Big rocks with sand in between. It was tough on the car. It had to work hard and also drank a lot,” noted Tim, who was back at the wheel today. “It was a wonderful day. The little car feels nicer and nicer.”
“We were able to maintain a good speed,” added Tom. “A lot of the stretches we drove we recognized from previous years. Maybe not exactly the same, but this region, this landscape. Like really deep dunes, super steep downhill. Very fat.”
The stage win of the shortened special went to Guerlain Chicherit. Coronel and Coronel conceded just 26 minutes to the Frenchman. Sébastien Loeb, last year’s No. 2, and Carlos Sainz, who started as the overall leader, lost a lot of time due to flat tires, mechanical failure and navigation errors.
In the bivouac of Ha’il, the participants will face a wet night. The fourth stage, which starts and ends in Ha’il, will continue as usual for now. The competition stage is 425 kilometers.
