Merzouga Rally – Prologue
Arnold Brucy fastest in the Merzouga Rally prologues, Ireland’s Gordon Clarke sixth.
Just a couple of days after the OiLibya Rally of Morocco has ended, the Merzouga Rally has begun. Day one for competitors was a 120km long liaison section followed by a short, sharp 5km prologue that decided the starting order for stage one of the rally.
Arnold Brucy, Jean Brucy’s son, who made his rally debut in March at the X Rally Marrakech, used his motocross experience and was the fastest in the prologue. The 24-year old French rider will open stage one.
Gas Gas factory rider Jordi Viladoms did a great performance and tomorrow will start in second position.
Alessandro Botturi was the first rider to start. Botturi – who made his debut in the rally discipline at Merzouga Rally in 2011 – finished third.
Despite the Merzouga Rally being his first ever taste of rally, Ireland’s Gordon Clarke (TM) set the sixth fastest time and placed well ahead of Team HRC riders San Sunderland in 15th and Helder Rodrigues in 28th.
Stage One will be a challenging mix of dunes and herbe à chameaux with a lot of off-track navigation.