Stage 1 - Sunday 20 April 2008 | Budapest - Baia Mare
- Connection 58.0 km
- Special 63.0 km
- Connection 410.0 km
- Total 531.0 km
Breaking news
Breaking news (GMT + 1)
16:56
Round-up of the first special stage
With this first special stage now completed, three competitors have abandoned (one quad and two cars) due to mechanical problems. The caravan is now on its way to Baia Mare in Romania and includes a total of 234 vehicles: 96 bikes, 17 quads, 82 cars and 39 trucks.
16:02 - Car
220 - Spain’s Manresa taken to hospital
Having rolled his car at 13.36 after 24 km of the special, Spaniard Antonio Manresa (No. 220) stopped at the side of the track, suffering from severe pain in the back. Immediately, the organiser’s medical team were dispatched and decided to evacuate him by helicopter to Budapest hospital. Fortunately, the Iberian driver was more shaken than hurt and the results of a CAT scan did not reveal any serious injuries, just some painful bruising. However, for caution’s sake, he will be kept in hospital under observation for 24 hours.
15:16 - Truck
400 - Stacey underlines favourite status
During the first special, Dutchman Hans Stacey (MAN), winner of the 2007 Dakar, was worthy of his status as the main favourite for outright victory. He won the stage with a time of 51’30’’, beating the Tatra of the Czech Republic’s Ales Loprais by 25 seconds. Holland’s Marcel Van Vliet in his Ginaf finished in 3rd place, but is already 2’09” behind the leader.
13:58 - Car
201 - Sainz wins, Gordon impresses
The only driver to finish the 63 km in less than 40 minutes was Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW), who won the first special stage for cars in the Central Europe Rally, but with only a short lead of 41 seconds over Robby Gordon. The American, who started in 12th position, managed to prevent a one-two for the Wolfsburg-based constructor because South African Giniel De Villiers (VW) took 3rd place. In 4th position, Stephane Peterhansel is the leading Mitsubishi driver and is 1’02" behind the day’s winner.
12:50 - Car
206 - Miller rolls twice...
American Mark Miller (VW) rolled his car at the 23 km mark on the day’s special. Fortunately, none of the team were hurt in this accident, but they have not been able to restart and are awaiting assistance.
12:22 - Car
200 - And now it’s the cars’ turn…
The race has just started for the car category, with Stephane Peterhansel starting at 11.50 in his Mitsubishi Pajero. The Frenchman was followed 3 minutes later by the Spaniard Carlos Sainz in his Volkswagen Touareg. Following on at 3 minute intervals, there will be Luc Alphand (Mitsubishi), Giniel De Villiers (VW) and Nasser Al Attiyah (BMW). The first two-wheel drive car, American Robby Gordon’s Hummer, will start in 12th position.
11:22 - Bike
2 - First blood to Coma
Marc Coma has won the first special stage of the Central Europe Rally. With a time bang on 40 minutes for the 63 km, the Spaniard really let the power of his KTM 690 do the taking. He has a provisional lead of 1’15" over Cyril Despres, who was second in spite of having the disadvantage of opening proceedings. The third place went to Spain’s Jordi Viladoms, only two seconds behind the Frenchman. First in the 450 category, David FrĂ©tignĂ© is 7th in the overall standings, 2’18” behind the winner.
10:14
1 - Go, go, go!
The first edition of the Central Europe Rally began for real this morning when the first motorbike started the special stage. To inaugurate this grand opening it was, honour where honour is due, the winner of the 2007 Dakar Frenchman Cyril Despres who was the first to start, followed two minutes later by the victor in the 2006 edition of the African classic, Spain’s Marc Coma.
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