Dakar 2021: Successful debut for the X-raid Yamaha Racing Rally Supported Team

Jan 16, 2021

Second place in the T3.1 class for Liparoti and Fischer
Impressive stage results for Ekström and Bergkvist

The X-raid Yamaha Racing Rally Supported Team enjoyed a successful debut at the Rally Dakar. The newly-developed Yamaha YXZ1000R prototype performed very well on its first appearance at the iconic desert rally. The all-woman duo of Camelia Liparoti (ITA) and Annett Fischer (GER) claimed a sensational second place in the T3.1 class for lightweight prototypes. The Swedish crew of Mattias Ekström and Emil Bergkvist impressed with some strong stage results.

Liparoti and Fischer showed great consistency and patience at this year’s Dakar. This allowed them to steer clear of major problems, as they focussed on getting the X-raid Yamaha to the finish in one piece. Like many others, they struggled with difficult navigation and stony sections, which really tormented the tyres. However, as the opposition lost a lot of time due to some major problems, they worked their way up the class standings and into second place. Liparoti and Fischer also won the women competition.

Camelia Liparoti: “I am so happy that we have made it. I think we drove a clever race. We looked after the car and didn’t go the wrong way very often. Unfortunately, the flat tyres cost us time. However, patience and intelligent racing paid off in the end. The X-raid Yamaha was super and we made it through the Dakar without any major issues. The first real test in competitive conditions has been a success.”

Not only was the car new to Ekström and Bergkvist, but also the Dakar as a whole. However, they soon found their feet and achieved some impressive stage results. Unfortunately, they suffered engine damage on stage seven and were forced to retire from the leg. They re-joined the rally on day nine within the “Dakar Experience”.

Mattias Ekström: “We had a great fun rally and learned a lot. Very strange things have also happened during these weeks. We have had to try most things and had challenges both with the competition itself and the set-up, but also with nature and rocks. I can say that it takes a lot of fighting spirit to cope with the whole Dakar Rally. But we have had a great bunch around us in the team of mechanics and engineers. Emil and I have had a good tone in the car, learned a lot about navigation and competition in the desert. So it has been a fantastically fun experience and of course given a little more flavor. You should never underestimate the Dakar Rally and on the first try I do not think you can do any good result either – we are satisfied and happy. Now I will go home, analyze everything and think about whether it will be Dakar again or if I will be content here.”

Sven Quandt, Team manager: “We are delighted with this great result. The Yamaha was basically taken out of the box and sent out to race, and performed superbly. We knew our concept was not bad, but we hadn’t reckoned with a result like this. Camelia and Annett mastered the challenge superbly.”

T3.1 light prototypes – Standings after SS12
1. J. Machacek (CZE) / P. Vyoral (CZE) – Can-Am – 59h 39m 01s
2. C. Liparoti (ITA) / A. Fischer (GER) – Yamaha YXZ1000R prototype – 61h 51m 24s
3. P. Pinchedez (FRA) / V. Ferri (FRA) – Pinch Racing – 62h 15m 27s
4. S. Quintero (USA) / D. Zenz (GER) – OT3 – 62h 30m 15s
5. J.-L. Pisson (FRA) / V. Sarreaud (FRA) – PH-Sport – 62h 43m 38s

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