MOTORING NEWS - The Peugeot 3008DKR drivers enjoyed a clean run to the finish of the Rallye du Maroc in Erfoud last week, rounding off a successful event.
They finished second and 10th overall, successfully completing their preparations for next year's Dakar Rally.
Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena led the event right up until the penultimate stage, when they were delayed by a mechanical problem.
The same type of problem also affected Carlos Sainz, highlighting some areas the Peugeot Sport engineers need to improve before their South American odyssey in January.
Loeb and Elena ensured a safe finish with their Peugeot 3008DKR and eventually set third-fastest time on special stage 6, despite being held back by dust and a double puncture.
They ended up just seven minutes off the overall winner.
Sainz and Lucas Cruz also finished the rally successfully, achieving their mission of getting back into the rhythm of racing after more than six months away from the competitive environment.
The Spaniards were classified fourth on the final stage and in the top 10 overall.
"We were pleased with how this rehearsal for the Dakar Rally went," said Bruno Famin, Peugeot sport director and team manager of Peugeot Total.
"It allowed our crews to run in representative conditions, put in the kilometres, and technically we were also able to identify a couple of issues that we've still got time to put right before we go to Dakar.
"Because of some of the sporting hazards here, we stepped back a bit from the result. Anyway we were here to practice, gather data and accumulate valuable experience. We got what we came for.
"We will keep working hard. Let's meet again in January."
Carlos Sainz at the finish.
Sébastien Loeb, who was third on the last stage and second overall, said, "On the whole, the event went well. Second is not bad, but I am very motivated to take my first overall victory in cross-country.
"We got some good experience here and learned a lot of things, and we've seen that we're going to be up against some tough competition on the Dakar."
The top speed of the Peugeot 3008DKR was close to 200km, thanks to the three-litre twin turbodiesel engine.
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