Pascal Feryn and Kurt Keysers (Toyota Hilux) won the car competition in their first participation in the Africa Eco Race. The duo finished second in the open category of cars, trucks and SSVs. The truck of team Feryn Dakar Sport of Tom De Leeuw, Cedric Feryn and Bjorn Burgelman (Ginaf) finishes eighth overall and is the third truck on the podium.
The 15th Africa Eco Race ended on Sunday afternoon with a non-timed stage to the Lac Rose in Senegal. “I was still a bit nervous before the start,” says Pascal Feryn. “We would start with ten SSVs and cars in a row. I didn't get away well, had to chase immediately and was then hit by a kind of tidal wave when the sea rose surprisingly quickly. Although it was not on time, I wanted to be the first to reach the beach of Lac Rose at all costs. Ultimately I succeeded. It was breathtaking.”
Kurt Keysers was originally assigned as a navigator in the truck. But when it turned out that Cédric Feryn was not allowed to drive the truck, a game of musical chairs ensued in which Tom De Leeuw moved to the truck as driver and Kurt Keysers went in the opposite direction. “It was quite an adventure, but in the end everything went well,” says Kurt Keysers. “We win the car category here. That's actually unbelievable. The last ride was special. We left as the last car, then the sea came up and we had to step up our game. In our case, Pascal added an entire set of teeth. He was unleashed and wanted to be the first vehicle onto Lac Rose at all costs. When entering the small dunes we rode in second position. A little further on we caught the other Hilux, so he succeeded in his aim. It was so beautiful!”
Pascal Feryn is the first Belgian driver to win the car classification. “This is a fantastic feeling. An unexpected result too. We came to have a good time, and we did. The goal was to compete in the top 10. Koen won a stage last Saturday, I won one week later. I did miss him this week, but we had agreed on everything. I think he must have missed us too.”
It was a party on board the Toyota 210. But it was also a party in the truck. Earlier this week many Flemish songs were heard in the Ginaf. Tom De Leeuw even sang at the top of his voice
chest along. “Call me, write me, let me know quickly” is now also known in Mauritania. The atmosphere on board the Ginaf was excellent, says Cedric Feryn: “It was a very nice race. I'm glad I got to experience this. Dad wins in the cars, we are third in the trucks. Father and son Feryn were on stage here. That was an indescribable moment. Everything Dad said about the Lac Rose in the past is correct. It was beautiful and gave me goosebumps.”
Bjorn Burgelman also thoroughly enjoyed it. “I'm enjoying the moment here in Dakar. The past few weeks have been particularly successful. After the first stage we were third truck. We defended that position tooth and nail. Honestly, that's all there was to it. But I am extremely satisfied. This tastes like more."
“I had two fantastic weeks here and had a fantastic time,” says Tom De Leeuw. “We finish third, and that is the most logical place. We were also here in an assistant role for Koen and Pascal. We also fulfilled that role perfectly. As a team we did a fantastic job. I'm not going to sing today. I'm flying home tonight.”
After the wagons arrived at Lac Rose, everything was prepared for the closing ceremony. “I became emotional on stage and thought about my son Maxim, who died in a traffic accident seven years ago. Our cars were equipped with a license plate with the letters MF followed by a number. We had a logo made for him that sticks on every vehicle. He rode with us and helped us. This was for him and for Jackie,” said Pascal Feryn.
Koen Wauters left the bivouac on Monday. This week he already performed three times in a sold-out Ahoy in Rotterdam. “Obviously I missed them this week. But I am incredibly proud of this team. Everyone has done an excellent job in their field. A big congratulations to Pascal and Kurt. They did a fantastic job. When I hear the stories about the queen stage, that must not have been an outing. I am also very satisfied with our new cars. And most of all I am happy that we drove this rally. The charms of the bivouac, the tranquility and the incredibly beautiful landscapes in Africa. Nothing can beat that. On to more of this.”
The final word goes to Pascal Feryn. “We have been working towards this for six months and left for Monaco with 22 friends at the end of last year. Koen and Kris are from there
Automatic translation
Source: Team Feryn
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