With the second loop stage of the race, the competitors returned to Pisco where the rally’s first special was held. It was a mix of sand dunes and gravel as Casey headed back into the desert.
It was a lot of the same for Casey as navigation was still very critical and they found themselves lost multiple times. He would lose another 34 minutes on the day but retains 4th overall with a large gap over 5th going into the last stage.
With the 2019 Dakar Rally nearing its end here is the top 10 overall SxS as they sit going into the final stage.
Top 10 Overall SxS After 9 Stages
1. Francisco Lopez Contardo – Chile – South Racing Can-Am
8th Dakar – 7 times on Moto 1st time in SxS – 10 Stage wins – Best Finish 3rd on Moto
2. Gerard Farres Guell – Spain – Monster Energy Can-Am
12th Dakar – 11 times on Moto 1st time in SxS – Best Finish 3rd on Moto
3. Reinaldo Varela – Brazil – Monster Energy Can-Am
5th Dakar – 3 times in auto 2nd time in SxS – Best Finish 1st in SxS
4. Casey Currie – USA – Monster Energy Can-Am
1st Dakar – Won Desafio Inca in 2018 – Best Finish TBD
5. Rodrigo Javier Moreno Piazzoli – Chile – Can-Am Chile
4th Dakar – 3 times in auto – Best Finish 20th in Auto
6. Marcos Baumgart – Brazil – X Rally Team
2nd Dakar – 1 time in auto – Best Finish DNF
7. Miguel Jordao – Portugal – South Racing Can-Am
1st Dakar – 10th at Rallye du Maroc – Best Finish TBD
8. Jose Antonio Hinojo Lopez – Spain – FN Speed Team
2nd Dakar – 1 time in auto – Best Finish DNF
9. Cristian Baumgart – Brazil – X Rally Team
1st Dakar – 3rd at Desafio Inca in 2018 – Best Finish TBD
10. Sergei Kariakin – Russia – Snag Racing Team
6th Dakar – 5 times on quad 1st time in SxS – 4 Stage Wins – Best Finish 1st on Quad
The 2019 Dakar Rally will culminate with a short 111km special in the Pisco dunes and then a 244km liaison back to Lima for the podium celebrations.
