Chinese drivers finish first stage of Dakar rally
This is not the first time that Chinese drivers have taken part in the Dakar rally, it is however the first time that Chinese car companies have entered into the race across South America. This year both Chery and Greatwall have entered the SUV race segment.
From the Global Times:
All the Chinese drivers successfully completed the first stage at this year’s Dakar Rally. They expressed their confidence prior to setting-out on 9-thousand kilometer event through Argentina and Chile.
Veteran driver Lu Ningjun steered his Chery Rely to the start line. He is taking part in his 6th Dakar Rally, and his 2nd appearance in South America. Lu Ningjun was the first Chinese driver to set off and he’s quite aware of the tough road ahead.
Lu Ningjun, Chery Rely Driver, said, “I’m feeling good, I competed here before. I remember the scene I saw last year. I am anticipating more this year because I have a new teammate, who also drives for Chery Rely. I believe there will be hardships and difficulties ahead, no doubt, but we have prepared well to overcome them.”
Zhou Yong drove his Great Wall Hover, another Chinese national brand. This is Zhou’s third Dakar Rally appearance.
Zhou Yong, Great Wall Hover Driver, said, “I feel very excited. I have prepared for this day for over four months. It has been hard work.”
Zhao Yongguo is driving for the Shengrunfu Tianhe Team. He is making his debut at the Dakar Rally. It’s a dream come true for Zhao, who has only 5 years of rally experience.
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There are five Chinese drivers in total:
1. 长城汽车的周勇 -Greatwall’s Zhou Yong
2. 奇瑞汽车的卢宁军 – Chery’s Lu Ning Jun
3. 奇瑞汽车江耀桓 – Chery’s Jiang Yao Huan
4. 丰田赵永国 – Toyota’s Zhao Yong Guo
5. 丰田朱金忠 – Toyota’s Zhu Jin Zhong
Congratulations to the blokes, there cars and there support team. Its nice to see things are going well for them, lets hope things keep going this way for them.
Go China, Go Chery. I hope they will do well.
They may finish the first leg, but they sure as hell wont finish first. Finishing the first leg is quite an achievemant, considering they were in chinese cars.
Sorry guys,
I love your site, but the continent is Africa, not South America.
Dakar is the capital city of Senegal, located on the Cape Verde Peninsula, on the country’s Atlantic coast.
dear Bai Tangmu
please google “dakar 2010″ and you will find out that the Dakar Rally has been in Argentina – Chile since 2009.
Unsafe conditions mainly due to regional conflicts in Africa are the main reasons why the traditional race was transferred to South America.
Jackson,
Thanks for a correction of my own. I always thought of that name Dakar as a city, and not a movable “brand”…That might explain why “Paris” is no longer possible as in the old Paris-Dakar Rally in days of old.
Next I’ll find out that the U.S. defaulted on a bond issue and our Washington D.C. was sold to Nanjing as a Toxic Asset.
)
I appreciate being corrected almost as much as I relish the chance to be correct.