Al-Rahji overpasses Al Attiyah: he is the leader.
The Saudi driver, with his Mini All4Racing, got a great time in the second Selective Sector. He dethrones therefore the pilot from Qatar, able anyway to win the first Leg. Third position for the yankee Menzies
Cominotto leads bike’s race, while quad riders waged a hard duel: Ventura came in ahead on Vidal with a gap of 2’’
Changing the guard. It is Yazeed Al-Rahji the temporary leader of the Italian Baja, the Italian race valid for the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rally. The Saudi pilot, with his Mini All4 Racing, secured himself the lead dethroning the champion from Qatar Nasser Al Attiya (Toyota Hilux), winner of the Memorial Azzaretti; he seized in this way the first position of the rank with a gap of 26’’ ahead on his challenger. Third place gained by the U.S.A. driver Bryce Menzies (Mini) after a gap of 1’16’’. Among bikers, Vanni Cominotto (Husqvarna 450 Te) came first in both Sectors aiming to win, while quad race developed through a hard duel waged between the Italian rider Ventura (Yamaha Kdy) and the Spanish Vidal (Yamaha Yfz): just a 2’’ gap. Today last two Legs will establish the winner.
THE RACE. It looked like an easy race to Al Attiya: the Toyota driver in fact gained the first Sector, assuring himself a gap of 29” ahead on Al-Rahji. Positions changed anyway during the second Leg. The Saudi driver got a great time (50’40’’), with a gap of 55’’ ahead on his challenger and reaching the top of the classification, thanks to a realized total time of 1.50’55’’. The power of the Mini was demonstrated, allowing the change of leadership through an exciting battle. In the background another duel was waged between Vasilyev (Bmw X3) and Gadasin (G-Force Proto) for gaining the fourth position: the two Russian drivers, both Baja winners, crossed the arrival line with a gap of just one second (and a gap from the leader of respectively 2’33’’ and 2’34’’). Italian rank is led as usual by Lorenzo Codecà (Suzuki Grand Vitara): the Lombard driver seized the 15th place in the Overall Rank, with a gap of 14’09’’ from the lead.
What about local competitors? Fabrizio Martinis (with Isuzu) had to withdraw at the first Leg because of an electric problem while crossing the Cosa torrent; Andrea Tomasini, with a prototype Peugeot, was also obliged to quit the race after the first Leg because of a stone “collected” during the Selective Section: the pilot came to the Assistance, but there was a serious problem at the engine. Bike’s rank never changes: Vanni Cominotto won the first Special with a gap of 1’25’’ ahead on De Soltrait (Yamaha Wrf), the second one with a gap of 2’01’’ always ahead on the French challenger, realizing therefore a total gap of 3’26’ to be availed in today’s Legs. Man can think that only a sudden obstacle could deny him his second success at the Baja. Quad: Ventura won the first Leg but reached just the second position during the second Leg after a gap of 50’’ from Vidal, gaining a gap of just 2’’ ahead on the Spanish rider. A breathtaking final duel is assured.
TODAY. The road book gives the first start at 8.30am, the second start at 12.30pm. The order: cars first, then bikes and quads. The route is the opposite for this Selective Sector called “Rauscedo”. Same length of the route: start from Valvasone and arrival in San Lorenzo. Competitors are supposed to finally reach the Pordenone Fair at 3.30pm; afterwards, the Prize Giving Ceremony.
Press office Italian Baja
Carlo Ragogna
