A Dakar Rally mechanic has sadly passed away following an accident on the liaison stage on the final day of the event in Saudi Arabia.
Frenchman Quentin Lavalée, 20, was the chief mechanic for the PH Sport-assisted Dakar Classic team 205 Africa Raid, which was running an original Ari Vatanen Peugeot 205 T16 from 1987.
The incident took place at around 11:30am on Friday morning after the PH Sport assistance vehicle collided with a local truck.
The Dakar organizer, the Amaury Sport Organisation, released an official statement, paying tribute to Lavalée.
“This morning [Friday, January 14], on the assistance liaison route, an accident involving an assistance vehicle and a local truck, according to local police authorities, occurred at 234 kilometers.
“The driver of the car belonging to the team PH Sport, Quentin Lavalée of France, very sadly passed away in the accident. He was 20 years of age.
“His passenger, the Belgian Maxime Frère, was injured and was transported to the National Guards Hospital in Jeddah. He was conscious and a full analysis is underway.
“Quentin was chief mechanic on the 205 Turbo 16 racing in the Dakar Classic [#726]. The Dakar offers its sincerest condolences to Quentin’s family, loved ones and PH Sport.”
