The X-raid MINI JCW Rally Team drivers can hardly wait: in just a few hours, the 2019 Dakar Rally will finally start. The cars have been checked, the journalists have had plenty of opportunities to pose their questions, and the participants and their vehicles will all be presented on the start podium.
Preparations in Lima began on Thursday, when the team collected the five MINI John Cooper Works Rally cars from the port in Lima. One day later, everyone headed to the dunes outside the Peruvian capital for the Shakedown. This gave the crews the opportunity to make the final adjustments to their vehicles.
Saturday was all about the final technical preparations. Mechanics and engineers gave all five cars another thorough technical inspection, in order to ensure that they are up to the challenges awaiting them over the coming days. The drivers, on the other hand, were in PR mode: in the morning, the MINI JCW Rally drivers attended a press conference with MINI Peru, together with their Buggy colleagues from the X-raid MINI JCW Team.
The administrative and technical checks were undertaken this morning. Crews and all team members must present various documents to the organisers, while the vehicles are checked to ensure that they comply with the technical regulations. The crews will bid farewell this late afternoon to the fans in Lima from the start podium.
The opening stage from Lima to Pisco then gets underway tomorrow morning, and Nani Roma can hardly wait. “The days ahead of the start always feel a bit odd. You sometimes think that time has simply stopped. On the other hand, you have so much to do that the days are over before you know it. However, these days are also important – we put the finishing touches to the vehicles and also prepare ourselves mentally for the start. I am looking forward to the Dakar
