Last minute entry to the Morocco 24H
18.05.2010
Just fifteen days after the Rally of Tunisia, Eric Vigouroux will be racing his Chevrolet Trophy Trick across Africa again. From 23 to 28 May, Eric Vigouroux racing will compete in the 24H of Morocco. Disappointed at an extremely rare mechanical failure robbing him of a potential win at Tunisia, Eric enters the Morocco 24H rally at the last minute demonstrating the strength of his team and their ability to prepare the car with its uprated drive shaft in time.
Having missed a potential overall victory in Tunisia, Eric will be going all out for the win in Morocco. Eric Vigouroux Racing has nothing to prove as a win in stage 2 of the Tunisia rally clearly demonstrated the team have the pace even against top factory spec cars but Eric is a competitor at heart and is highly motivated.As in Tunisia, Eric will be relying upon his TOYO TIRES 37 x 13.5 R 17 Open Country M/TR to conquer the terrain and give him the performance and reliability necessary to win races.
The 24H of Morocco is a new race organised by the same team that bring the 24H 4x4 of France every year, a race that Eric won in 2001. However, to make the most of the 24hours, the Morocco race is split into four 6 hour stints in separate locations making the race more challenging as it covers more diverse terrain while still retaining the endurance aspect. Course near the cities of Marrakesh, Erfoud, Zagora and Ouarzazate of between 19 and 39 km await the competitors. The format at each course is simple, six hours non stop racing with the winner the team completing the highest number of laps when the clock stops.
Eric explained the last minute decision saying “This entry in the 24Hours Off-Road of Morocco is part of the continuity of our participation in the rally of Tunisia”
The race is organized by the experienced team that makes the 24 hours 4x4 of France (which Eric won in 2001 along with his Pro-Truck). This 24Hours Off-Road of Morocco will be carried out in four circuits next to big Moroccan cities: Marrakech, Erfoud, Zagora and Ouarzazate. Each track will be between 19 to 39 km, and runners must go through them six hours nonstop, and the one who makes the most turns on the circuits will be the winner.
Although up to three drivers and co-drivers can participate, Eric and co-driver Alexandre Winocq will drive the entire race together. their long experience of marathon rallying means they can keep their focus even on such long stages. Eric commented, “To drive six hours in these big loops seems to me like an interesting challenge and a great training because in rally raid, often, we make stage as long as that!”
However, one change over marathon Rallies like the Dakar is that the organisers have arranged four or five star hotels between each stage. This is a far cry from the tent most frequently used by Eric and Alex and will give them the chance to charge the batteries to come fresh to each stage despite taking sole responsibility for the race duty.
Follow the race on www.tt24.fr and read about Eric's race on www.toyotires.eu/tunisia
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