The song ends in Dakar: Sainz’s victory marks historic achievements in China’s manufacturing
The 2024 Dakar Rally concluded on January 19 in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, with Spanish veteran Carlos Sainz of the Audi team claiming victory in the car category. This marked Sainz’s fourth Dakar championship trophy and the first-ever electric car championship in the history of Dakar. De Mewis of the OVERDRIVE team and Loeb of the BRX team finished second and third, respectively.
Notably, Chinese driver Su Wenmin made a major breakthrough for Chinese manufacturers by riding an Arctic Leopard electric off-road motorcycle to secure third place in the new energy group and the championship in the motorcycle group. This groundbreaking achievement was part of the newly established MISSION1000 competition, which saw a total of 10 racing vehicles competing, including 6 motorcycles, 3 cars, and 1 truck. The China Jinyuxing Arctic Leopard Racing Team participated with three electric off-road motorcycles, with Su Wenmin and teammate Cai Gangjun clinching top positions in the competition.
Furthermore, the Dongfeng Leiden Factory Team and Excelle Racing Team, among others, also featured Chinese drivers who made impressive showings in the Dakar Rally.
In the car group, Han Wei, who switched to four-wheel drive racing this year, encountered a setback on the seventh stage due to a cervical vertebra problem, forcing him to withdraw from the race. However, Sun Xiangyan, another Chinese driver, successfully completed the race and secured a commendable 47th position in the T1 group, marking a significant achievement for Chinese female drivers in the Dakar Rally.
The Yunxiang Racing Team also made its debut in the Dakar Rally, with Zi Yungang/Pan Hongyu being the sole representatives to finish the race and securing 37th place in the T1 group.
Overall, the 2024 Dakar Rally showcased not only the triumph of seasoned drivers like Carlos Sainz but also the impressive breakthroughs made by Chinese manufacturers and drivers in the global racing stage. The achievements of Su Wenmin and other Chinese drivers and teams signal a promising future for China’s presence in the Dakar Rally, inspiring more participation and success on the international stage.