Isabelle Patissier and Bernard Irissou, with their Nissan Pathfinder, claimed their second T1 category victory on a round of the World Cup for Cross Country Rallies, and have strengthened their lead in the overall classification. Paul Belmondo finished the event after having some worries during the day's first special day. As for the client cars, they fulfilled their ambitions.
After this morning's last two special stages, the ORPI Morocco Rally reached Agadir this Sunday evening. The finish ceremony took place on the beach at Tiznit, a charming little fishing village. Team Nissan France Dessoude was there to welcome Isabelle Patissier and Bernard Irissou, who were very happy to claim a second consecutive T1 class victory. Just like during the previous rounds, the Nissan Pathfinder has shown great reliability.
Isabelle, radiant and smiling, was ready for the interview at the finish line, and gave her thoughts, starting by her favourite phrase: "How wonderful ! This race was relatively short, but it was important not to make any mistakes. It was a real concentration of all the sorts of terrains you can encounter on a rally raid. A day full of problems could have been fatal. But we have a solid team, and every evening, at the bivouac, the team of mechanics did a wonderful job. Each morning, I knew that the Pathfinder would be in optimal condition to attack the day. Apart the little transmission problem we had yesterday, I haven't had any major problems. I haven't even had a single puncture during the whole rally... and not many can say that. I would like to thank the whole team and the partners who support us.
We have increased our lead slightly over our rivals in the World Cup classification, but the season is far from over. This morning, on the first 179 km special stage, we could not have driven more carefully. I did not want to take the slightest risk. Over the second stage, I let myself have fun, but still keeping a margin for safety. Bernard was, as always, perfect over the whole event. Not the smallest error, even though, in terms of navigation, there was plenty of scope for mistakes. The next round will take place in Turkey, for the Orient Rally. I think that my main rivals, Jean Pierre Strugo, Ronan Chabot and Alexandre Debanne will be there too ... we'll have to see what happens ..."
Bernard Irissou, just like in Tunisia, savoured his joy and his satisfaction of a 'job well done': "You have to be careful until the very end of hte rally, but now we have crossed the finish line and I feel relieved. I think that we did a good race, and Isabelle drove superbly well. During each navigation stage, I was rather stressed, but finally, everything went well. We have quite a good lead in the T1 classification in the World Cup, but nothing is won in advance..."
Paul Belmondo and Jacky Dubois also reached the finish line. But this morning, they were faced with problems again. In the first special stage, a drive strap broke, meaning that they had to complete over an hour in first gear. But the Nissan X-Trail got to the end. Despite all the problems, Paul's primary objective was to finish the race, which he has now done...
As far as the clients were concerned, Jacky Bourgin, as usual, put in a consistent performance. He finished in 20thposition in the overall classification with his Nissan Pathfinder. A Nissan dealer on the move...
Karine Baugé and Philippe Bocande also fulfilled their mission. Karine was rather satisfied, considering it was only her second participation in this kind of event. She has promised to come back. After Isabelle Patissier, Team Dessoude now has a second female driver in the competition.
Khalid Kabbage, from Morocco, who was driving a Nissan Patrol from the Dessoude team, also reached Agadir without problems. Acclaimed by his compatriots, he finished 27th in the event.
The story of the day belongs to Marc Racine, who was taking part in this ORPI Morocco Rally with a Nissan Terrano. Marc is a competitor like any other, the only difference being that he is paraplegic. This morning, after the first ten kilometres of the final special stage, Marc did not hesitate a moment to stop and help St駱hane Henrard, who was stuck on the side of the road, with a broken engine. The Terrano pulled the buggy to the finish line. A fine show of solidarity, which St駱hane Henrard wanted to emphasise. This gesture sums up the whole rally raid spirit.
In the World Cup overall classification, Isabelle Patissier is lying in 5th position, all categories together. In the T1 category classification, she is leading with 30 points, followed by Jean Pierre Strugo, 9 points, Ronan Chabot, 9 points and Alexandre Debanne, 6 points. Certainly a comfortable lead, but there is still a long way to go before reaching the ultimate goal ... the title.
