Volkswagen has a lot to celebrate this year in the deserts of South America. The German team claimed its second consecutive podium lock-out and his third consecutive overall victory in the brutal Dakar Rally. But if you think it was "business as usual, a look at the trophy took - Qatar national Nasser Al-Attiyah, the first Arab to the desert rally to win in his 33-year history.
Four teams from the new Race Touareg 3 not only ended the race - but it took four of the first six places with an American driver Mark Miller comes in - more than could be the new X-Raid Mini Countryman to be said, sixth behind two X-Raid BMW X3S. The Star-Spangled Banner was just held high, however, took the team by Sue Mead and Darren Skilton the OP class trophy north to the United States behind the wheel of their Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.
Unfortunately, this year's rally was not all fun and games, and unfortunately a life claimed in the process: reportedly hit an Argentine team Toyota, the vehicle is not competing drivers, the killing of the victim and local officials invited to conduct a study to create the circumstances . For the full press release at this year's Dakar events, follow the jump.
PRESS RELEASE
Volkswagen defends Dakar Rally title for the third consecutive year
Volkswagen has claimed the overall victory in the Dakar Rally for the third consecutive year and defended the 1-2-3 podium lock-out results of last year, crowning the successful premiere of the Race Touareg 3 at the event. Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar, with his German co-driver Timo Gottschalk, the final stage ended with the second fastest time and an overall lead of 49m 41s.
This year's result sees Al-Attiyah, the first Arab in the desert classic in history, to be presented with the trophy Dakar winner, now in his 33rd Year. The back-to-back hat-trick of victories means that Volkswagen is still unbeaten since the famous event moved to South America.
Four diesel-Race Touareg 3s competed and completed the grueling 9600 km long route through Argentina and Chile, won 12 of the 13 stages between them and the rest at the top of the list at the time.
The previous two champions of the rally came Al-Attiyah and Gottscahlk on the podium in Buenos Aries with the 2009 winner Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz claimed second place, and last year's winner Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz third. Volkswagen, the fourth pairing of Mark Miller and Ralph Pitchford finished Volkswagen solid team performance in sixth place.
With seven stage wins, including the 13th and last stage of the rally broke Carlos Sainz's record for the highest number of stage victories in the Dakar. This victory took his account on 24 and overtook the previous record holder, and Volkswagen's closest rivals at this year's Dakar, Stéphane Peterhansel.
Final result after leg 13, Córdoba (RA)–Buenos Aires (RA); 181/826 km SS 13/total
| Pos | Team | Vehicle | Leg 13 | Total time |
| 1 | Al-Attiyah / Gottschalk (Q/D) | Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 | 1h 16m 46s (2) | 45h 16m 16s |
| 2 | de Villiers / von Zitzewitz (ZA/D) | Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 | 1h 18m 06s (4) | + 49m 41s |
| 3 | Sainz / Cruz (E/E) | Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 | 1h 16m 08s (1) | + 1h 20m 38s |
| 4 | Peterhansel / Cottret (F/F) | BMW X3 CC | 1h 19m 05s (6) | + 1h 43m 48s |
| 5 | Holowczyc / Fortin (PL/B) | BMW X3 CC | 1h 17m 33s (3) | + 4h 11m 21s |
| 6 | Miller / Pitchford (USA/ZA) | Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 | 1h 18m 10s (5) | + 4h 54m 42s |
| 7 | dos Santos / Fiuza (P/P) | BMW X3 CC | 1h 27m 16s (11) | + 6h 50m 07s |
| 8 | Lavieille / Polato (F/F) | Nissan Proto | 1h 25m 07s (10) | + 7h 57m 18s |
| 9 | Spinelli / Haddad (BR/BR) | Mitsubishi Racing Lancer | 1h 20m 06s (7) | + 8h 23m 37s |
| 10 | Kahle / Schünemann (D/D) | Buggy SMG | 1h 28m 02s (12) | + 15h 11m 56s |
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