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closeAmerican rally driver moving up in Transorientale
The Associated Press
Wednesday, Jun. 25, 2008
American driver Ronn Bailey finished fourth Tuesday in the 12th stage of the Transorientale Rally, moving up to 20th overall in the event that began June 12 in St. Petersburg, Russia, and will end June 28 in Beijing, China, covering 6,214 miles.
Bailey, an amateur racer who has competed in numerous long distance rallys, including the annual Paris-Dakar race, drives a Chevrolet L7. He passed about 70 other competitors in the 319-mile 12th stage after starting last. That stage went from Turfan to Hami in China, traversing gravel tracks below sea level and sandy desert dunes near gigantic cliffs. Daytime temperatures reached about 114 degrees.
"I experienced less misfortune than the other competitors who had difficulties with the traps, the sand dunes, and getting stuck," said Bailey, CEO of Vanguard Integrity Professionals. "Many competitors crashed, broke down or got stuck in the sand. I had a clean run from start to the end without being stuck once."
It was a particularly impressive comeback after a series of setbacks in the early stages, including electrical problems and hitting a race organization vehicle that was improperly parked on the race course during stage nine.
After a rest on Wednesday, the race will be concluded with seven stages along the Sino-Kazakh border in China, ending at the foot of the Great Wall.