Volkswagen defended its one-two lead on the 14th and final special stage of the 2009 Dakar Rally with Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (ZA/D) and Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/ZA).
Front runner de Villiers in the Race Touareg powered by a 280-hp TDI diesel engine won the 227-kilometre special stage between Córdoba and Buenos Aires and, like his team colleague Mark Miller, who finished sixth, now only has to complete the 341-kilometre liaison stage to Buenos Aires. Only then will the historic first “Dakar” triumph of a diesel-powered vehicle have been finally secured. On Sunday, the ceremonial drive across the finish ramp will follow in Buenos Aires.
Giniel de Villiers and his German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz completed their overall performance with a final best time on the 227-kilometre special stage – it was their third stage win and the tenth for Volkswagen at the current Dakar Rally, the first staged through South America. With a gap of 8m59s in the overall standings, Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/ZA) as the runners-up achieved their personal best result at the Dakar Rally. Dieter Depping/Timo Gottschalk (D/D) reached the finish at the Dakar Rally in sixth place overall.
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