VALPARAISO – The Dakar Rally 2014 is over. Many labeled this edition as the toughest to date in South America. The Riwald Dakar Team showed the speed of their HRX Ford with some impressive top 10 results, but also struggled with bad luck. When Bernhard ten Brinke crossed the finish line on Saturday afternoon happiness and satisfaction was nevertheless the biggest emotion.
The final special stage led the participants through the hills towards Valparaiso over a distance of over 150 kilometres. The cars and trucks started again together, which regularly led to awkward situations. Bernhard Ten Brinke drove his HRX Ford safe to the finish, after two weeks of hardship and strong results: “A stage without too many details. I drove behind a Kamaz and behind Gerard de Rooy for a while. He let me overtook him at a certain point. The last part of the stage I had some problems with the gearbox, so I slowed down a bit. Finishing was the goal and I ‘m glad we are here!”
Bernhard ten Brinke finished the Dakar on the 22nd position in the final stage and the 28th position in the overall standings. Gert Huzink and Erik Wevers unfortunately did not made it to the finish line in Valparaiso.