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We wish we had done a better job bringing you the latest news from the Dakar Rally, but preparation for NAIAS got in the way. In any case, [Autosports reports](http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117341) that Nasser Al-Attiyah, driver of the MINI Qatar Rally Team, has seen his lead shrink due to altitude sickness in yesterday’s stage:

>In a change to the format for 2015, competitors have to do without their service crews and assistance trucks for the middle weekend, carrying only three spare tyres with them for Saturday’s 199-mile run from Iquique to Uyuni and Sunday’s follow-up 317-mile route back to Iquique, where the rest day will take place on Monday. The punishing seventh stage took place partly at 3,500 metres above sea level, and rally leader Al-Attiyah was only seventh fastest after having to stop several times due to altitude sickness.

While the team lost some precious time, let’s all hope it doesn’t prevent a MINI from winning yet another Dakar.