Dirk von Zitzewitz starts his 23rd Dakar Rally
The first PCR test turned out negative. If it is the second one that is required for the 72 hours before departure, Dirk von Zitzewitz will get on the plane on Monday. The 53-year-old Karlshofer is traveling from Hamburg via Frankfurt to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. To where the 43rd edition of the Dakar Rally starts on January 1st. And the winner of 2009, who had actually “made friends” with the end of his career, is right in the middle – for the Abu Dhabi Racing team as co-driver of Sheikh Khalid Al Qasimi. And that in the Peugeot Buggy. A first for the Ostholsteiner on his 23rd Dakar participation.
Little information for 43rd Dakar Rally
More than 8,000 kilometers, countless dunes and a route that is 70 percent new. “It doesn’t just get sandier, it also gets faster,” von Zitzewitz is convinced. He took that from the information. They are even more sparse than ever before. The navigators only receive the specific information on their tablet with the road book activated at the start of the respective stage. “So far we only know the total kilometers per stage, we just don’t know anything. That makes life easier in preparation, but it increases the pressure. ”Personal notes, commercially available maps, old road books – the teams are not allowed to have any of these in the car. “You try everything to keep the decision open for a long time.” When looking at the route profile, “DvZ” sees the penultimate stage on January 13th as the king’s stage.
Von Zitzewitz: “There is tension and anticipation”
The demanding navigator tasks, the unknown terrain, the new car, plus the unknown competition – Audi is there for the first time with a hybrid engine and top driving (Peterhansel, Sainz, Ekström) – it doesn’t make the job any easier. But the Dakar legend is confident: “Ten years ago I would have pissed my pants. But there is tension and anticipation. ”His credo:“ If the nozzle wouldn’t work anymore, then I’ll stay at home. ”
Von Zitzewitz: Fifth place is possible
In December, he received a technical briefing, including training on changing wheels and emergency repairs, in Langres, France, where the PH-Sport service team makes the buggies safe. “The boys are highly professional, that was impressive and gives them security,” says von Zitzewitz. He is optimistic: With Al Qasimi, who finished the last Dakar rallies in seventh and sixth, a place in the top 5 is possible.
From Jens Kürbis
Reference-www.ln-online.de