40th edition - #16 - Everyone lined up in a row - Dakar 2018

A year after the death of the Dakar creator, it was in front of the Thierry Sabine Tree, where his ashes were spread, that the start for stage 8 was given with the field heading to Dirkou in Niger. A special format was scheduled with a spectacular mass start on a wide and sandy plateau, which was ideally suited for high-speeds on this day of tribute. Among the cars and trucks positioned in rows, the power of the Peugeots of Ari Vatanen and Shekhar Mehta had the edge. With his foot flat to the floor, the Finn blasted his way towards his first Dakar victory in his first participation!