Pesci was due to make his third consecutive Dakar appearance with former LMP1 race winning-team Rebellion as part of a two-car line-up for the Saudi Arabian event.
However, his hopes of improving on a best finish of 43rd were seemingly dashed when his #251 DXX entry was engulfed in flames in the 10.7km shakedown near Jeddah, the venue for the opening stage of the rally-raid.
Le Mans 24 Hours winner Dumas has now offered his #215 buggy to Pesci to ensure the Rebellion team owner can be present on the starting grid for the 44th running of Dakar on Saturday.
The Swiss will be joined by his usual navigator Stephan Khuni for the two-week marathon.
Although Pesci will now pilot Rebellion’s sole remaining DXX buggy, Dumas will also be able to take part in Dakar following a last-minute deal to race the Toyota Hilux with which Nasser Al-Attiyah won the Hail Rally in Saudi Arabia earlier this month en route to the FIA Cross-Country Rallies World Cup.
All four factory Toyota drivers are competing in this year’s Dakar rally with brand new cars built to T1+ regulations, making Rebellion ambassador Al-Attiyah’s previous chassis available to ex-Porsche driver Dumas.
#215 Rebellion Motors: Romain Dumas, Rémi Boulanger
Photo by: A.S.O.
“After this incident, my first thoughts are addressed to the whole Rebellion team and especially Romain Dumas whose unwavering investment was reduced to nothing,” said Pesci.
“I can’t express my gratitude and my deepest respect for Romain’s initiative who immediately asked me to take the wheel of his vehicle so that I could pursue this dream that is for me the Dakar.
“And what about the gesture of our ambassador, Nasser Al Attiyah! He immediately did everything possible to repatriate and prepare his Toyota. My adventure continues thanks to incredible solidarity!”
Rebellion doesn’t exactly know what caused the fire that totalled Pesci’s original car, but it suspects that a shock may have caused an oil leak near the engine, with excessive heat starting a fire.
Although the automatic extinguisher system activated, the fire couldn’t be controlled and it consumed the entire car.
Both Pesci and co-driver Khuni were uninjured in the incident.
shares
comments