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Two legends of the
rally
world, Miki Biasion and Markku Alén; a truck, the Iveco
Eurocargo, which has changed the history of transport, and
that of the “All Terrain” rally; and the great Italian tyre
brand Pirelli, will be at the starting line of the 2005
“legendary Dakar”.
The Motorsport Italia team, which has been taking part in
the most famous rally in the world in Iveco trucks for three
years, has entered two teams which will face the challenging
route of over ten thousand kilometres, with an eye on the top
spots.
Miki Biasion needs no introductions. His track record speaks
for itself: two world rally titles with Lancia Delta
Integrale, and his results in the “All Terrain” sector, with
another two world titles won with an Iveco Eurocargo in 1998
and 1999. At his side will be his trusted navigator Tiziano
Siviero.
Markku Alén is unanimously considered one of the most
greatest rally drivers of all time. With Fiat 124 Abarth and
Fiat 131 Abarth firstly, and then Lancia Stratos, Lancia 037
and Lancia Delta S4, he has driven to victory on dirt roads
worldwide. The teams, with three drivers per vehicle, will
also feature drivers of great experience such as Livio
Diamante, a Dakar veteran, and Toni Guido, who has nine
entries to his credit.
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Former
Lancia factory rally driver Miki Biasion has in
recent years become an established Rally-Raid star,
earlier this year he was one of the leading drivers
for the front-line Mitsubishi team on the legendary
Dakar event, an outing that ended in retirement |
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Rally legends, Miki Biasion and Markku Alén,
will be at the wheel of a Motorsport Italia-entered Iveco Eurocargo truck when
the famous race to Dakar kicks off in Barcelona on 1st
January 2005 |
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The two Iveco Eurocargo 140E24 WS trucks taking part in the
rally are fitted with Tector 6 cylinder 6 thousand cc
engines. These trucks are part of Iveco’s medium weight
range, derived from the standard model. The main
modifications regard the set-up, with reinforced shock
absorbers, and the inclusion of a system to regulate tyre
pressure while driving, essential for this type of rally. The tyres fitted on the two Iveco
Eurocargo 140E24 WS trucks are officially supplied by
Pirelli.
The tyres being used are Pirelli PS 22 Pista, 14.00 R 20
size, part of the standard range, which guarantee top
performance in terms of endurance and reliability. The
Pirelli PS 22 Pista in particular boasts excellent
“floating” properties at very low pressure in extreme
environments like sand, and excellent tear and cut
resistance, making them the best choice for tackling a route
like Dakar.
The legendary rally is set to get under starter’s orders on
1 January 2005, leaving from Barcelona, and will take place
on a route that the organisers define “classic and
selective”.
After crossing Spain, competitors will encounter the first
African “specials” in Morocco. Then in Mauritania there are
many route options waiting to be discovered, to the “joy” of
the navigators. After a number of legs in the Sahara, the
race heads into the tropical forests of Mali, then on to
Senegal, where participants will meet up on Dakar beach on
16 January 2005. |
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