Here's what ahead for Stage 9 according to MINI Motorsport:
Tuesday's ninth stage is the longest special stage of the 2012 Rally Dakar and takes the competitors 556 kilometres to Iquique. The end of the stage is not only extremely sandy, but also phenomenally spectacular. The drivers drop about 700 metres in altitude down the flanks of a super dune into the finish, with the cars reaching top speeds of over 200 kilometres per hour. A real adrenalin rush. Even before this spectacular finish, however, the drivers must show both courage and driving prowess. The dunes are back. It is essential to get the orientation right and manoeuvre skilfully through the tricky, sandy hills. Those who get it wrong risk losing their way or getting stuck – both of which cost valuable time. Nobody can allow that kind of mistake now if they want to win the Dakar.
