2018 Dakar: On-site preparations completed Technical and administrative checks passed Drivers are looking forward to the 40th Dakar edition Tomorrow the 40th edition of the legendary Dakar Rally finally will be kicked off. Yesterday, X-raid executed the official Shake Down, with the seven MINI being subjected to a last check and final setup adjustments. On Friday, the schedule featured the concluding technical and administrative checks. And now, the three MINI John Cooper Works Buggies and the four MINI John Cooper Works Rally vehicles are waiting in the Parc Fermé for the things to come. Meanwhile, the drivers who spent several days in Lima just can’t wait for finally getting going. For the US-American Bryce Menzies it will be the very first Dakar. “I am really curious to find out how things will evolve. The buggy feels good and the final tests here at Lima went really well,” says Menzies. “My primary goal in my first Dakar: to complete every special stage. And I want to make it to the Top 10 in the overall ranking.” Nani Roma is back in the MINI and the competitiveness of the all-wheel driven racing car will be boosted by several technical-regulation changes. “It will be a tough Dakar, “says Roma. “The dunes in the opening stages will be a true challenge. Later, in Bolivia, we have to cope with the heights and then, in Argentina, with the heat. It goes without saying that we will try to be a factor in the battle for the overall win but there are several other pairings with the same goal.” Saturday morning the competitors will roll over the podium in Peru’s capital Lima. Afterwards, they will have to complete a liaison to Pisco where they will contest a short 30-kilometre special stage. .