Stage 9 was the longest special stage of the Dakar 2012. Stage 9 was also famous for the big sand dune at the end of the stage in Iquique, where you can go full speed downhill from a huge dune, speeds are reached of up to 200km/h! Again it was a problem free day and it hopefully the first days of suffering and problems are now being rewarded with a good push forward. Martin in Dakar truck #510 finished in 11th position and climbing in the overall standing to the 14th position. Fingers crossed Martin can push forward a little bit more and match the 2011 result. A shock for the trucks competition was of course the crash of number 2 Ales Loprais, the truck was upside down and the whole front axle was missing after the crash, it was on a normal road not during the special stage. There are rumours that say that Ales didn't drive the truck himself during the connection part and that the driver fell asleep behind the wheel.
Crash Loprais:
