JACOBACCI, Argentina — Spanish driver and former world rally champion Carlos Sainz won Stage 3 of the Dakar Rally on Monday and now holds the overall lead by 5 minutes, 45 seconds over South African Giniel De Villiers. The third stage was 551 kilometers, from Puerto Madryn to Jacobacci.
Sainz, just as on Sunday, bested De Villiers on Monday by 3 minutes, 26 seconds. Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel finished third, 4 minutes, 56 seconds behind.
Stage 4 on Tuesday will be from Jacobacci to Neuquen, a distance of 459 kilometers.
The 2009 Dakar Rally was switched this year from Africa to Argentina and Chile because of security fears. It features 540 competitors from 50 countries and covers 9,000 kilometres over 13 stages — three in Chile and 10 in Argentina — with the finish scheduled for Jan. 18 in Buenos Aires.
The 2008 Dakar, which was to have started in Lisbon before heading to Africa, was cancelled the day before the scheduled start because of specific terrorist threats made against the event. It was the first cancellation in the history of the race since its inception in 1979 due to security concerns after four French tourists were murdered in Mauritania.
The Dakar Rally is being broadcast on Versus, with daily updates on RobbyGordon.com.
NASCAR Champion Greg Biffle Advocates For Animals
(NAPSI)-Stock car racing superstar Greg Biffle, who finished third in the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, is always envisioning the finish line. Now he’s heading for another victory, this time to end companion animal euthanasia. He’s spokesperson for SPAY/USA (www.spayusa.org), a nationwide network and referral service for affordable spay/neuter services and a program of North Shore Animal League America, the world’s largest no-kill pet rescue and adoption organization. Biffle is championing the prevention of unwanted litters. He is convinced that by raising awareness, more pet owners will follow his lead and alter their pets, leading to a dramatic decrease in shelter euthanasia.
The NASCAR champion and owner of three dogs likens his passion for animal welfare to his love of auto racing.
“It’s vitally important to control pet overpopulation. There are over 7,000 puppies and kittens born each day, with millions of healthy, innocent, unwanted animals put to death as a result of overpopulation,” cited Biffle, who says that he believes he can make a difference.
Biffle, who has achieved 48 career wins since 1996, says he plans to use the NASCAR community and the racing world to get the message across that it’s crucial and lifesaving to spay or neuter pets. He has set an example by spaying and neutering his own dogs.
Biffle and his wife Nicole founded the Greg Biffle Foundation to create awareness and serve as an advocate to improve the well-being of animals by engaging the power and passion of the motorsports industry.
The organization recently funded scholarships to help send rescue groups to the SPAY/USA National Conference.
Esther Mechler, SPAY/USA founder and director, applauds Biffle’s commitment. “I believe that Greg and his foundation provided an invaluable opportunity for people dedicated to animal welfare,” commented Mechler, adding that with Greg’s outreach as SPAY/ USA’s spokesperson, she is certain there will be significant effect amongst responsible pet owners.
To learn more and see Greg Biffle’s interview about his work on behalf of the organization, visit spayusa.org. To find out about low-cost spay/neuter services, call 1-800-248-SPAY (1-800-248-7729) or visit AnimalLeague.org.