Mikko Hirvonen and Michel Périn, in the #303 X-Raid Mini John Cooper Works Rally, are fifth overall in the standings at the midpoint of the 2017 Dakar Rally. The duo fell from third to fifth as a result of a difficult Stage Five, where they finished fifteenth because of navigation problems. Stage Five was shortened because of rain near the finish in Oruro, Bolivia. The rain persisted on Saturday, leading the organizers to cancel stage six.
Competitors were scheduled for a rest day in La Paz, Bolivia on Sunday; the cancellation extended the stop to two days. When competition resumes on Monday the route runs from La Paz to Uyuni, Bolivia; the 622-kilometer route includes a 322-km timed stage.
Three Minis in addition to the Hirvonen/Périn car are in the top ten: Jakub Przygonski/Tom Colsoul (Mini all4 Racing) are sixth; Orlando Terranova/Andreas Schulz, (Mini JCW Rally) are seventh; and Boris Garafulic/Filipe Palmeiro (Mini All4 Racing) are ninth. Peugeots occupy the top three positions, with Stephane Peterhansel and Jean Paul Cottret in the lead.
The series’ website provides in-depth coverage. In the USA the NBC Sports Network provides daily updates.—Brian S. Morgan
