The racers knew it. They were nearly done. They were barely twenty kilometres away from the finish line, and it was their last chance to climb up to lead the race.
With the breakdown of the Pajura in the previous stage, the Cross 4X was now running in seventh place followed by the Boproader; the Nohda did not catch the Maesima, with both cars keeping their places instead. Behind, the Rexetta was being overtaken by the Kaiken after a stop to apply a bandage to the driver, but a nudge to the Keika prevented the hatchback from overtaking them, as the Kaiken spun out and had to get going again.
Further behind, the Serla was trying to prevent the Alpaca from passing it. Doing a bit of a dirty move, the hatchback brake checked the Alpaca, forcing its drivers to lose control and roll one. However, it landed wheels first, allowing its crew to restart the engine and keep going, but not without the codriver getting their right leg broken first. Behind it, the Grandcab was trying to get close to the Rugged, with no success.
The SX-2 was falling behind further, now overtaken by the 3316 and followed by the Merkur. And behind them, the Mimas was trying to catch the Guirere and the Dirt Rider, but was struggling to do so. Closing the grid were the Travette, Nash and Dirt Warrior.
The irregularities of the terrain were destroying the suspensions of the cars now that they were really trying to gun it; with the R3200 in front followed by the Modesty Machine and the Ranger, with the waypoint on sight, a helmeted man waiting for them at the cliff. The Ranger had to slow down as its suspension started cracking, in order to make it to the finish line in third place, followed closely by the Estate Roamer in fourth place.
The race for the victory was between the Keystone and the Modesty Machine now. Both drivers gunned it. Both drivers negotiated the bumps and jumps and obstacles of the desert. But only one managed to make it in first place. That was the Keystone. And after it, the Modesty Machine in second place.
The helmeted man turned around once all drivers had arrived. Dialing a number in his phone, the phone was picked up soon after.
“Boss. The race is over. No casualties this time.” Said the man, awaiting a response.
“Results, who won?” Replied an old man from the other side.
“This is the top 10, boss:”
1st place - VicVictory (congratulations for your victory! Enjoy your 3 million!)
2nd place - ElMenduko (you made it 2nd! Congratulations!)
3rd place - TheTechnoVampire (and you made the podium!)
4th place - DeusExMackia (The Estate Roamer did it and at a really fast pace!)
5th place - TheNomade (That Nomad lived up to its name!)
6th place - ramthecowy (That Mitrus was no joke. Congratulations!)
7th place - Rk38 (And the Cross 4X is punching above its weight for sure!)
8th place - DoriftoDorito (A lifted subcompact? Well it made it to the end and the top 10!)
9th place - Knugcab (And the urbanroader shows some offroading potential!)
10th place - BoostAndEthanol (Looks like a rally car is also a valid approach!)
Special thanks to everyone who took part in this new edition of the Great Automation Run and also congratulations to all of those who managed to make it to the end. Even if not everyone could make it and we had some spreadsheet shenanigans (yet again 
) the competition went smoothly anyways. See you around next time! But the challenge is over only if you want to, RP epilogues are also encouraged 
Times spreadsheet:
gar2spread5 - Google Sheets
Route taken: