Han Wei has teamed with new co-driver Li Ma for his 2022 campaign. Photo: DPPI
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https://scmp.com/sport/motorsport/article/3162198/han-wei-track-produce-chinas-best-dakar-rally-result-ever-he-moves Motorsport
Han Wei on track to produce China’s best Dakar Rally result ever, as he moves into 16th place during stage three
- Han Wei made history for China in 2020, producing the country’s best result at the Dakar Rally by finishing in tenth place
- This year Han has teamed up with new co-driver Li Ma and is out to better his 2020 finish
Han Wei is hoping to better his 2020 record in Dakar Rally this year. Photo: DPPI
Chinese competitors have been steadily improving on the Dakar Rally in recent years, but perhaps no driver looks better placed to mix it up with the very best than Han Wei.
The 49-year-old made history for China in 2020, producing the country’s best result finishing in tenth place. After a 2021 Dakar campaign fraught with mechanical issues, Han has returned this year with an upgraded vehicle and clear ambitions that are already starting to pay dividends.
Han and his new co-driver Li Ma, moved into 16th place during stage three on Tuesday and is now locked in a neck and neck race for 15th place against French team GCK Motorsport, led by Guerlain Chicherit.
This is the first time Han and Li have competed together, but Han believes they can secure another historic result for China in Saudi Arabia.
“We suffered mechanical failure during Dakar 2021, so our result wasn’t very good. But we have made significant improvements to our SMG Buggy, which allows me to drive faster than ever,” Han said.
“We’ve adjusted the structure of the buggy, meaning it operates more easily at high speed and gives us more flexibility at low speed. So I’m confident we can secure tenth place again, or do even better.
“In 2021, we only took part in one rally, the Dahaidao Super Endurance Race in China. We relished the opportunity to have a good testing experience.”
🛠 Who ever said the Dakar was easy?#Dakar2022 pic.twitter.com/T6x4hbyYld
— DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 4, 2022
Han has been involved in motorsport for years and set up his own team in 2008. He also claimed multiple victories at China’s biggest endurance race, the Taklimakan Rally, which takes place around the mountains of Xinjiang. The pandemic has limited Han’s racing options this year, although he did claim victory at the Dahaidao Super Endurance Race.
Elsewhere at Dakar and motorbike rider Zaker Yakp moved down the rankings to 61st, while fellow bikers Zhao Hongyi and Zhang Min were trailing in 84th and 94th place respectively.
Stage four of the Dakar Rally gets under way on Wednesday.