Rally-Raid
VIDEO – Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge: Lucas Moraes’ Toyota ravaged by flames
Lucas Moraes is forced to abandon the ADDC 2024. Photo DPPI / Bastien Roux
It seems written that the start of 2024 for Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleon will be marked by injustice. During the Dakar 2024, the duo of Toyota Gazoo Racing was sailing towards 2nd place in the general classification on the eve of the final finish when a broken shock absorber relegated it to the bottom of the top 10.
This time, on the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the Brazilian driver and his Spanish co-driver simply caught fire a short distance from the finish of this third special, this Thursday, February 29! Spectacular images captured by local spectators and relayed on social networks:
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Fortunately, the crew escaped unhurt. The Toyota Hilux T1+ Evo is good for scrapping:
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“What a crazy day, declared Lucas Moraes, 3rd in the 2023 Dakar for his first start. It's really terrible because until now we were having a problem-free day. We were driving fast, but keeping a margin of safety. We got stuck in the sand 5 km from the finish, and, for some reason, the car then caught fire. It was a scary moment. »
His navigator Armand Monleon provides his analysis. “We started to smell oil about 300 meters from the finish. As we were close to the goal, we continued until the end.
Then, Seth (Quintero) and Dennis (Zenz, race leaders and teammates in Toyota Gazoo Racing. Editor’s note) ran towards us to order us to get out of the cabin. Honestly, we didn't understand the severity of the fire. It was when we stopped the 4x4 that the flames entered the passenger compartment. »
Lucas Moraes was already trying to see the positive side of the situation. "Now I'm going to try to do like the legend of the phoenix: reborn from the ashes of the car for the Rally from Portugal (next round of W2RC, scheduled for April 2 to 7. Editor’s note) ! »
ALSO READ > Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – More problems for Nasser Al-Attiyah!
Medhi Casaurang
Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!
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