This 5th stage of Morocco Classic consisted of a loop, the second of the rally, articulated around Ouarzazate with the Berber Palace in high point.
The competitors will have traveled just over 200km in the heart of this region shaped between the Oued Ouarzazate and the Oued Dades feeding the lake of the city of cinema.
The unprecedented route in this direction began this morning by Tizi N Bachkoum, who hosted the first stage of the day, in the opposite direction to the day before to rally Tazenakht. As evoked, this collar offers all the rudiments of driving in rally with pins, faster passages and strong supports. A real treat for the crew JM.SCHARF – C.SCHARF (FORD MUSTANG) who takes the first place Classic category. The Prestige category is dominated by the TOTAL crew (Maserati Gran Cabrio).
Once in the city of Berber carpets, Tazenakht, the rally has taken a road abandoned for many years to reach Agdz along the banks of the Oued Draa. Second highlight this morning: the special stage drawn a few cables from the mine of Bouazzer where is extracted the major part of the Moroccan Cobalt. Nicknamed Pipe Special a few years ago, this test runs along a pipe of water following the curves of the surrounding mountains and allowing the mine to feed on the water needed to extract the precious.
The road, restored, offered a challenge while climbing for the aficionados of the regularity with turns and many changes of rhythm. A scenario that perfectly suited the Classic Austin Healey of B.SIAU – L.FAUQUETTE who, like JM.SCHARF – C.SCHARF earlier in the morning, won their first victory over this 24th Morocco Classic. Unsurprisingly, the TOTAL crew is once again winning the Prestige event.
From the end of the special, the connection to Agdz offered the participants desert and uninhabited scenery that Cyril particularly appreciates, and totally in the image of this Morocco south of the Atlas!
Once in Adgz, the road led the competitors to Ouarzazate by National Road 9, heading towards a final stage, well known to the regulars of the rally, the Tizi N Tiniffift. A sacred monster of Morocco Classic with its 15km very demanding and which turn incessantly. All the ascent and part of the descent imposed a constant rhythm to the competitors. In this game, the experience of the crew D.COURTENS – E.COURTENS (PORSCHE 911 CARRERA), winner of the 2016 edition of the Rally, made the difference, the first place is theirs. On the Prestige side, the AIN IFRANE crew (Toyota Prius Hybrid) wins the victory on this last event of the day.
Once the special stage was over, the 30 km link to Ouarzazate was only a formality to enjoy a well-deserved lunch at the edges of the Berbère Palace pool. This afternoon was devoted to the visit of the city, to the care provided by the Spa of the hotel or even to the most complete rest in this cocoon that has always welcomed us in Ouarzazate.
Once the special stage was over, the 30 km link to Ouarzazate was only a formality to enjoy a well-deserved lunch at the edges of the Berbère Palace pool. This afternoon was devoted to the visit of the city, to the care provided by the Spa of the hotel or even to the most complete rest in this cocoon that has always welcomed us in Ouarzazate.
Tonight, competitors meet for a gastronomic dinner at the Berber Palace Lounge Bar. Tomorrow, the penultimate stage will lead the caravan of the rally towards Marrakech!
General Ranking
Classic category
1 – C.GHITELINCK – L.DAVID (Mercedes Coupé 350)
2 – D.COURTENS – E.COURTENS (Porsche 911 Carrera)
3 – JM.ARLAUD – MF.ARLAUD (Citroën DS 21)
Prestige category
1 – Equipage TOTAL (Maserati Gran Cabrio)
2 – Equipage AIN IFRANE (Toyota Prius Hybrid)
3 – C.VERZELE – J.IDE (Bentley Continental GTC)
![[cml_media_alt id='1361']carte[/cml_media_alt]](http://www.cyrilneveupromotion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/carte.jpg)