The first day of racing in the Dakar 2014

• The first day of racing at the 2014 Dakar

Thus, the preparation has been completed, today started the Dakar 2014!

On the first day of the race we had to overcome several hundred kilometers with the rally cars. Inexperience we did not quite set our priorities right: laid more time to start recording than it should, and as a result were in Dakarovskom caravan trailing. But now we have photos of the start and finish. This phase ended in San Luis, a small Argentine town in the foothills.

In the early morning, when the police Rosario stand up to the new shift ...

... we have taken up to your journalistic post. To where the podium was yesterday, and today appointed start of the race:

In spite of the seven in the morning and Sunday, the promenade was filled with people. Not as much as before, but still. Places were tents and mattresses lying - many people simply do not go home after the podium, and spent the night under the open sky:

On the one hand a string stretched townspeople ...

... on the other side - the car rally participants. We specifically came to car standings: motorcycles went earlier, and trucks were supposed to go later:

But some of our guys on the Mini:

to

Man on the start of the recorded numbers, time, and under the general applause gave the launch party:

In the first day of the vehicles had to drive a little more than 800 kilometers. Of these, about a third of the way along the spetstrasse where we do not have access:

Taking things from the hotel, we moved on the road.

First, it was necessary to adjust the trip - special navigator by which you want to go from one camp to another. With Tripi organizers watching our movement, control, so we have not called to the track riders do not exceed the speed, and so on. D. Arriving at the camp, we were a little taken aback by the fact that no one in it does not remain neither technicians nor drivers nor the organizers:

It was necessary to adjust the appliance yourself. While all the cards are already in Tripi and routes, to enjoy them is not very convenient. The screen displays only the next road maneuver and distance to it - a kind of electronic legend. See in the future is at stake is not possible. From the data the navigator displays speed, distance and coming to pass. And he betrayed us lays the organizers every time we break the speed limit:

To be honest, trip did not inspire much confidence. Just in case we spied the normal aypad and road legend, which we were given, along with the navigator:

After half an hour we left Rosario on the track:

Along the road there were Topp spectators! Many drove their cars, pulled out chairs and folding beds and sitting under umbrellas:

At that time already passed motorcycles and cars, people waiting trucks. Let me remind you that all happened on Sunday morning:

After 200 kilometers, we suddenly realized that we end fuel. By legend Tripi appeared that the nearest gas station on the way through 150 kilometers. We decided to move out for a while out of the way. Navigator on refills iPads found in a nearby town, where we went:

Coming to the point, instead of filling found just such a picture. Before leaving, I specifically uploaded to aypad navigator Argentina and Chile, giving, among other things, 1300 rubles. After a brief petlyaniya the city, and explanations on the fingers with local, finally found a column in another place:

While circling in search of a diesel engine, I saw traffic traffickers. An interesting feature: we have on the road selling soft toys and towels with naked women, and then sell soccer balls:

Based on the car thermometer, the temperature rose to 38 degrees. Air conditioning in the car could not cope. At the end of the way, we stopped in the shade to recover:

Of course, in every village we were met by the people. One only has to wave a hand and see that person brought happiness and joy for the whole day!

At the entrance to the San Luis began to appear the first mountains:

And the first inhabitants:

For Dakarovskogo bivouac stupidly was surrounded by a fence of the mountain, the road and some circuit:

would look like one-tenth of the camp. Bivouac - no less spectacular part of Dakar

Arriving at the camp, we went to look for the car of our guys. Machinery rested in the shade after a long move:

Hungry, we went to the mess hall. The chill-out in front of her fans have been installed, which is sprayed cold water. Very refreshing after the heat:

calculate the time - went to finish the stage waiting for the riders. Twenty minutes later, I drove Roma:

Ahead of guys to lift a car with a body:

Lesch operator works at full speed - in every sense of the word:

"Cat-lucky" I came 41st - a good result:

Konstantin comes to life after the race: