Firstly congratulations to all the crews that finished the Arras-Madrid-Dakar. This seems to have been the hardest Dakar for several years, which in my opinion is no bad thing. Its not meant to be easy!!On the bikes that we were following no 5 Alfie Cox finished 2nd overall, which is a career best so far. Mike Extance (no 18) was 108th before retiring on stage 9. Neville Murray (no 103) retired at the same stage from 105 place. Dave Hammond (no 126) was 20th before crashing severely off a dune on stage 14. It seems that he was hit by his bike during the crash, and I have just spoken to his support crew who are still in Dakar. They tell me that Dave is in a Paris hospital with shoulder and back injuries. We wish him well.
In the cars our only finisher was Saeed Al Hajri & Mathew Stevenson (no 241) who came 6th. Congratulations to them. Mark & Paul Round (no 275) were in 90th place when they retired on stage 6. Stephen Stamp & David Jenkins (no 276) were 67th before retiring on stage 11, and Steven Rogers & Philip Turner were 75th before retiring also on stage 11.
Out of the 176 bikes that started 52 finished, and in the cars 45 finished out of 117 starters. I will update regarding Dave's condition and any other news as it comes in.
©Dakarrally
2002
