Rally Director David Castera comments on important topics of the first Dakar week in an interview – Cooperation with FIA not yet smooth
The first week of the 2022 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia has also made headlines away from the sporting action. Shortly before New Year’s Eve, an explosion occurred outside a hotel in Jeddah. Then there was a lot of discussion about the inaccurate road book in the very first stage.
As the Dakar is the first stop of the new World Rally Raid Championship, the FIA is now also more involved. There was controversy about the starting order, details of which were adjusted after the first week.
Rally director David Castera, who works for Dakar organiser ASO, spoke to ‘Motorsport-Total.com’ on the rest day and clarified his opinion on some issues.
Question: “What is your general conclusion after the first week of the Dakar?”
David Castera: “In general, I think it was a good first week. The race went more or less according to plan. The level is a bit higher than last year. We are surprised that the general level is higher. Last year we had 30 cars with high pace, now it’s almost 50. That changes a lot and we have to keep in mind for the future.”
Question: “What lessons have you learned after the first seven days?”
Castera: “People tell me that what happened in stage 6 was predictable. That’s life. But we have done it before and it worked. I thought there wouldn’t be such deep ruts, but the rain had softened the terrain. You also have to remember that it was only more complicated for the first 15 bikes. “
“The rest said to me: ‘David, for us it was like every day’. I have to manage two races at the same time. One for the pros, one for the amateurs. For the pros, I have a big responsibility because they risk their lives every day. When they speak to me like that, I listen and we break off. We won’t do a stage like this again. “
Question: “There is still discussion about the problems of the road book in stage 1.”
Castera: “It’s Carlo’s idea, and his suggestion is not completely wrong, that if a high percentage gets lost in the future, you could credit that time. That could be a solution for the future, why not. I will think about it calmly because I don’t want to make decisions in the heat of the moment. “
How is the cooperation with the FIA going?
Question: “Did the arrival of the FIA help or hurt the Dakar?”
Castera: “It’s true that we have less freedom now in terms of decisions. But I have to work harder, we can’t give up and we have to keep going. I don’t want to say today that it’s not working and we should stop this. There are things that can be done better. That’s what we are working on. “
“When we had a problem earlier, we changed it and it was done. Now we have to wait for next year and I don’t think it should be like that. In my opinion, the Dakar has to be like it always was. A race for amateurs where professionals are accepted.”
“I will not allow anyone, not even the FIA, to change this philosophy. This year it’s a bit more complicated, but we have to learn to work with them. They have to become more flexible with the rules. But we had to start working together.”
Question: “One of the most controversial issues is the priority list, which has 95 riders. Some of them don’t have experience or outstanding results.”
Castera: “Maybe. I am sure they are working on it. We have invented many things. The best thing is to start according to the order of the previous day. That’s how we’ve done it so far and it’s worked. What we tried in those days didn’t work. Now we are going back to something simpler with common sense.”
The rally will not be stopped early
Question: “How does David Castera deal with such a controversial issue as the explosion on 30 December at a Sodicar team assistance vehicle?”
Castera: “We are here for the sport and to experience an experience. But that can be affected by political stories. At the moment we don’t know what happened. We have increased security and we are moving on. It saddens me that a member of our family was injured in such an explosion. I hope he recovers quickly. “
Question: “So the rally will continue until the 14th day in Jeddah?”
Castera: “Yes, I think so. At the moment there is nothing that makes me think about stopping the race. We are continuing with the maximum possible security measures. Saudi Arabia is helping us with security. We are going ahead.”
Question: “What can we expect from the second week?”
Castera: “I expect a lot because I like the stages. There is sand and a different rhythm in each stage. I think a lot can happen. In stages 8 and 11 there are very big dunes and navigation. I think it will be an interesting second week. “
