Dakar: Inventor Racing update 2005-01-16

Overall standing 39 2005-01-13
We are since yesterday in Mali and we are now out on the marathon stage. This means that we are not allowed to have any contact with the service team during the marathon. At yesterdays stage (Wednesday, stage 12), we drove 820 km to Bamako. Our position was nr 68 which gave us an overall standing at nr 39. Total time is 71h54'39".

We are now on our way from Bamako to Kayes where the service team is waiting for us. The service team had an unpleasant experience a couple of days ago. Driving through a village, some youngsters throw a stone at their car and one of the rear window crashed, leaving thousands of tiny glass pieces all around. Luckily, no body got hurt and they have repaired their window. (Thank God for silver tape and plastic! :)

Overall standing 38 2005-01-14
Yesterday (Thursday, stage 13) the marathon stage was finished when we arrived in Kayes and met the rest of the team. Everything is great, but the stage to Bamako on Wednesday, was the worst we have ever experienced. -If I'd met a fairy (sagofe), and had been given only one wish, I would definitely wish for asphalt roads all the way to Bamako, Ivan says. But we managed to make it to 48th position, which give us an overall standing at nr 38. Total time is 77h04'37".

Today, on are way to Tambacounda, we have cameras installed in the race car. The initiative comes from the organisation and we don't know when or if they are going to broadcast us. But keep an eye on the Eurosport programmes. We might be there.

Overall standing 37 2005-01-15
Yesterdays stage (Friday, stage 14) took us from Kayes to Tambacounda, so we are now in Senegal. Our position was nr 43, meaning that we have the overall standing nr 37, out of 73 competitors. Total time is now 84h01'10".

All that remains, is todays stage from Tambacounda to Dakar (570 km) and tomorrow -- the last day -- we will hopefully do the last stage (68 km) in Lac Rose in Dakar. But as we've said before, everything can happen in a minute.

Still we don't have no information about any broadcast from our car. It might have been danish television, as well.

Let's cross fingers around the remaining stages!

Last stage done - position 34 2005-01-16
So, now is the last stage behind us! We were nr 42 at todays stage. This means that we have the total overall position of nr 34. Total time 87h39'10". We will get back with more information about our feelings later.

-Inventor Racing Team