Dakar 2012. Another year, another race.

Cooper Tires is teaming up with Toyota again
to compete in a new Dakar, this time as technical sponsor.

Once again the aim is the same: to demonstrate that with a vehicle and series tyres it is possible to do battle with prototypes and covers specifically manufactured for competing in a testing rally like the Dakar. Like the Dakar itself, which for the first time will be held in Peru and will only repeat two stages of the previous race, Cooper is presenting significant innovations this year. The legendary Cooper Discoverer STT off-road tyre will be replaced by a new model, the Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx. The Dakar 2012 will mark the unveiling of this new tyre, scheduled to be launched in Europe in February 2012, so the rally will become a rigorous test bench, just before they reach consumers. Xavi Foj will be at the wheel of a car fitted with Cooper tyres, a Toyota Land Cruiser 150. This is the third year running that Foj will be competing in a team sponsored by Cooper Tires. The name Xavier Foj conjures up a true spirit of adventure, Foj is a benchmark in the most unpredictable event on the planet. The Dakar 2012 will be the twenty second for the Catalan driver: "This Dakar won’t be any harder than the previous ones, because the level is already very high. The difference is that every day will be intense, from the first stage to the last, there won’t be any transit days, they will all be very hard", he commented. According to Foj, all the specials will be "difficult, critical, slow and very complicated, we’ll be on the road longer, which will take a lot out of the car and ourselves". Foj pointed out that Toyota Prisma-MPA Team, already wearing number 340 on its back, is a small team capable of great things, "We all know what we have to do, we’re ready to do it and we have the necessary experience". The Dakar 2012 human team also includes Jordi Cervantes as navigator and mechanic. Although this is the first time for Cervantes in the Dakar as navigator, he already has three Dakars as mechanic in his arsenal. Foj’s experience tells him that the South American terrain will be very difficult, "and even more so with a T2, because at such high altitudes the engine loses performance. The extremely high temperatures of the Southern hemisphere summer make the sand very soft, which will reduce the car’s performance. The American dunes get extremely difficult in summer".

www.toyotaprismampa.com

Africa Eco Race 2012.

Jean-Louis Schlesser wins on Cooper tyres.

Jean-Louis Schlesser and his co-pilot Cyril Esquirol have won the 2012 Africa Eco Race driving a buggy fitted with Cooper Discoverer STT tyres. They chose the high-performance Discoverer STT off road tyres to allow them to face the most demanding desert and driving conditions.
Jean-Louis said: "I ​​am very pleased to have arrived in Dakar as this year's race was particularly harsh and demanding. But it also had many twists and again yesterday when our hydraulic ram is stuck right in the soft sand. We drooled! To me, it's a very good win and Cyril really did a good job. The course was harder than last year and the weather has not helped us in some terrible conditions imposed as the three-day sandstorm. René has designed a beautiful course and we have experienced moments. I want to thank my team, who as usual did a great job and of course, the partners who have chosen to trust me."
This was Jean-Louis’ 4th victory in the event.
www.africarace.com