Dakar 2023: Stage 7 - Erik Van Loon suffers heavy crash

 Anja van Loon drives conservatively to the finish after heavy crash Erik van Loon

Until kilometer 99 of the seventh stage of the Dakar Rally, nothing is wrong and both Erik and Anja van Loon are fast. Erik and Sébastien Delaunay crash with the Toyota Hilux and have to abandon. Delaunay remains uninjured, Erik van Loon has to go to the hospital for check-ups, fortunately he has no injuries. Anja van Loon is stricken after seeing the car and Erik missing at the scene, but drives on conservatively with Dmytro Tsyro at her side and is happy to be at the finish.

"It was the toughest crash I've experienced," Erik says. "The roadbook said we had to go over a bad track. Then it says a situation with 2 danger, but I see it too late and I go full in. A very nasty crash over the stones, with these speeds there should have been a 3 hazard here. The car is completely written off. Fortunately Sébastien and I have nothing and we get out of here unscathed. I will stay in Saudi Arabia to help and guide Anja."

So both Erik and Anja started the stage well. "Considering all that has happened today and earlier, a top ten ranking would certainly have been possible for us this Dakar, but unfortunately it may not be so. I am very proud of Anja and that she just got to the finish line and didn't let herself go crazy."

Anja is therefore happy to be at the finish line. "I'm really shocked. You see the car standing, or what's left of it, and you see Séb, but no Erik. You immediately think the worst, but you have to keep going. So I turned the knob and together with Dmytro we calmly drove on. We didn't experience anything, but the ssv took a beating. Especially the second part was just rocks. Everything rattled, so hopefully South Racing will get the car right again for the second part of the marathon. I'm especially happy that things are going well with Erik and Séb and I like that he continues to support me."

A 2-hour service will take place at the end of the 7th stage. After that, the participants will continue to the bivouac in Al Duwadimi. Tomorrow the rally will return to Riyadh over a 386-kilometer test. Containing a variety of sand, dunes and gravel tracks. After the finish it is another 383 kilometers to the bivouac in the capital where the participants will enjoy the rest day.

Automatic translation from the original Dutch version
Source Van Loon Racing