RETROSPECTIVE 1979-2005

Introduction

28 Years of Dakar
The adventure began in 1977. Thierry Sabine got lost on his motorcycle in the Libyan desert during the Abidjan-Nice rally.
"Rescued from the sands" in extremis, he returned to France defeated by these dreamlike landscapes. He then promised
himself that he would share this discovery with as many as possible and lived for a single goal: take a maximum number of
people into the immensity of this sand.
This led him to imagine an extraordinary journey originating in Europe. The route would then continue to Algiers before crossing
Agadez and ultimately leading to Dakar. The plan quickly became a reality.
The Paris-Dakar rally opened up an unknown world, one in which its creator, Thierry Sabine, was seen as a true pioneer. His
motto then would be: "A challenge for those who go. A dream for those who stay behind." Africa, a multi-faceted continent, in
fact offered the perfect elixir, combining dreams with the world of competition. On 26 December 1978, the first Paris-Dakar took
off from the Place du Trocadéro. That was over a quarter of a century ago...
The First Year
When dreams become reality... On 26 December 1978, the Place du Trocadéro witnessed the first send-off of the Paris-Dakar
rally. One hundred-seventy competitors had to cross 10,000 kilometers on the pistes of Algeria, Niger, Mali, Upper Volta and
Senegal. The most newsworthy race of the late century was on! What made it unique was one particular characteristic: the
contrast between a civilization and traditional villages with dried mud huts and the modern world.
The first motorcycle winner was a young man named Cyril Neveu (Yamaha). Still an unknown, he would go on to run up a
stream of impressive sports achievements. His unsentimental analysis makes one smile considering all the accomplishments he
would eventually make: "I was 21 years old and I had already experienced Africa during the Abidjan-Nice rally. I was just like
everyone else, a simple guy grabbing onto the handlebars of his 500 XT. Without any leather satchels...." The first car team was
that of Genestier, Terbiaut and Lemordant (Range Rover), which finished in fourth place.
But for this initial experience, finish times and rankings did not matter much. Self-discovery, adventure and exceeding one's own
limitations were the essence of the event.
This first Dakar was a huge success. Its impact, both in terms of the majesty of the revealed landscapes and the originality of
the route, resonated. The rally definitively changed the lives of every competitor. The most daunting off-road rally of all time was
born.
As early as this very first edition, Hubert Auriol, Dakar director from 1994 to 2003, was on the scene. His interest in the rally is
two-fold because not only does Hubert Auriol love motorcycles, but since he lived there for 12 years, Africa has a very special
meaning for him.
Important Dates in the History of the Dakar
The launch of the Dakar rally met with immediate, strong success and spawned true fascination among competitors and makers alike. Beginning in 1980, the biggest names in the industry, such as Yamaha, Volkswagen, Lada and BMW, each hired a team. Furthermore, the number of competitors moved up from 170 to 216 in 1980. This edition was also marked by a major first: the inclusion of trucks.
Cyril Neveu won for the second time in a row on a private Yamaha while in the car class, Kotulinsky and Patrick Zaniroli were victorious. As for Hubert Auriol, he was excluded from his class because he finished the race in a "bush-taxi". The first truck to see its name among the winners was the Sonacome driven by Ataquat, Boukrif and Kaoula.

1981
Although the year the rally was christened was the most important, 1981 was without a doubt the most heart stopping. The race attracted crowds, to such an extent that the departures for Africa became a show in and of themselves! It was chaos at the registration office. Every type of vehicle was represented at the departure (4x4 vehicles, buggies, side-cars)--even the most unexpected, like Thierry de Montcorgé's Rolls Royce and the Citroën CX belonging to Jacky Ickx and Claude Brasseur. "Come together" was the wish of Thierry Sabine. However, "Be careful" was also a primordial exhortation, as these words from Michel Merel attest: "The piste is like the ocean; it is wrong not to fear it. As for me, the piste makes me scared; you don't mess around with it. You can't be an artist."
The key event during this year's event was undoubtedly the victory of Hubert Auriol, which marked the beginning of a long history of incredible performances. He became the new leader in motorcycle racing. The legend was beginning to take shape...Thierry Sabine's gamble was paying off.
1982
Once again, the starting gates were at the Place de la Concorde, with the arrival taking place, as per custom, on the banks of Rose Lake. The departure drew 382 competitors—-more than double the amount of participants in the first edition. The Marreau brothers, nicknamed "the foxes of the desert", offered up a resounding victory to Renault and Elf. Meanwhile, Cyril Neveu continued to impress. A member of the Honda team, his presence in the Dakar was imposing and he provided the Japanese maker with its first success, which would be followed by others.
1983
The legend was still being written...For the first time, the rally crossed the Ténéré desert. This as yet unknown ocean of sand whetted the appetites of the competitors and spectators. And yet the dream became a nightmare for some competitors. Nature let loose a torrent of challenges. Caught in a terrible sandstorm with no visibility, 40 drivers lost their way. Fortunately, their

guide flew to their rescue and within four days, everyone was found safe and sound. As Nicole Maitrot, a competitor in 1982, very rightly stated: "One has the impression that Thierry Sabine is God looking over his sheep from up in his helicopter, coming down in a swirl of airplane to help those who are lost". These ups and downs, however, simply strengthened the legend of the Dakar rally, in the first place, and the legend of Hubert Auriol, in the second place, as he won the Ténéré stage with more than an hour of lead-time over other drivers. The Ickx/Brasseur tandem dominated in the car class.
1984
In order to "enhance the dreams of those who stay behind", Thierry Sabine decided to extend the borders. The adventure pushed on further and further. To add a new dimension to his race, he succeeded in doing the impossible: trace the rally's route through Ivory Coast, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Mauritania.
The number of registrants continued to grow and reached 427. Michel Sardou lined up at the starting line alongside Jean-Pierre Jabouille. This year the car race captured all the attention of fans: Jacky Ickx convinced Porsche to sponsor a team. This first attempt was successful, as the team finished in sixth place. The big winners were Metge and Lemoyne for cars and Gaston Rahier for motorcycles.
1985
After two previous departures from the Place de la Concorde, the race started out in the city of Versailles. This year the race counted as a competitor Chantal Nobel, a star of the television series "Chateauvallon". The competition was vigorous. For its third race, the Mitsubishi Pajero team headed up a flawless effort. Patrick Zaniroli and his navigator Jean Da Silva outsmarted all the pitfalls of Mauritania and served up a perfect victory to the Japanese automaker. Hubert Auriol left BMW this year and formed the Ligier-Cagiva team. Gaston Rahier seized the opportunity to repeat his exploits, winning his second Dakar rally.
1986
The Black Year Thierry Sabine, French singer Daniel Balavoine, journalist Nathaly Odent, helicopter pilot François Xavier-Bagnoud and radio technician Jean-Paul Le Fur all perished in a helicopter crash. Everyone was in a state of shock, devastated. Thierry Sabine's ashes were scattered across the desert. His father, Gilbert, and Patrick Verdoy took over the reins. The race went on, but no one's heart was still really in it. Obviously, competitive performances became a secondary concern. Metge and Lemoyne won the car class and Cyril Neveu was crowned for motorcycles.
1987
The rally survived the loss of Thierry Sabine and Gilbert took control with the help of the Verdoy-Metge team. The Dakar only continued to grow. Peugeot decided to jump on board for the adventure of the Dakar rally and hit the jackpot on its first attempt. Ari Vatanen and Bernard Giroux won the car class for Peugeot. As for motorcycles, a battle raged between Hubert Auriol, Cyril Neveu and Gaston Rahier. Close to victory, Hubert Auriol was the victim of a terrible fall and broke both his ankles. He was forced to forfeit and left the winning to Cyril Neveu. And that made five for Cyril!
1988
Record breaking! This year, the number of participants exceeded the 600 mark. Exactly 603 vehicles departed Versailles: 183 motorcycles, 311 cars and 109 trucks. A sign of good fortune, this record also coincided with the tenth anniversary of the Paris-Dakar.
Nearly one hundred competitors prematurely exited the race because the route of the first Algerian stage, El Oued, was particularly arduous. But this tenth edition was commemorated by a theatrical flourish. Ari Vatanen lost his Peugeot 405 T16! He eventually found it, but too late. The Finn was disqualified by the officials. Nevertheless, Peugeot, for its second race, was quickly consoled: the Kankkunen/Pironen tandem won the top prize. For motorcycles, Edi Orioli (Honda) was the victor of a fierce duel with Italy's Picco (Yamaha).
1989
The rally made the acquaintance of a new country, Libya, but, more importantly, discovered a new young driver, Stephane Peterhansel. He made a strong impression during his second competition, finishing in fourth place on his Yamaha. Gilles Lalay was triumphant on his bike while Ari Vatanen took his revenge at the wheel of his 405 T16. The number of competitors who reached the finish line surpassed all records (209/473).
1990
This time the departure was launched from La Défense. The number of competitors was down: 465 participants. Back in Libya,
the competitors rediscovered a desert that was indeed sublime, but also dotted with traps: "The desert is always impressive at
night. You hear nothing, completely emptiness" (Stephane Peterhansel). The motorcyclists, alone in the middle of this desert's
immensity, sometimes no longer see its beauty.
Starting in the second stage, the Mitsubishi was falling behind Peugeot. Pulled by the Vatanen/Berglund, team, the French
automaker muscled its way into the top three positions in the overall rankings. This powerhouse performance punctuated the
end of its involvement in off-road rallies. The manufacturer is now committed to the Championnat des Sport-Prototypes.
For the motorcycle class, Edi Orioli finished at the top of the overall rankings on his Cagiva and gave the Italian brand its first
victory.
Hubert Auriol continued to innovate in 1990 with his one-man buggy.

1991
Citroën picked up where Peugeot left off. The French automaker ensured a victory thanks to Peugeot refugee, Ari Vatanen, who achieved his fourth win in the rally. For motorcycles, the Stéphane Peterhansel cycle began. In effect, he won his first title and served up a victory to the Yamaha team. One of the other memorable moments of the rally was without a doubt the visit of President Kadhafi!
1992
A change of route for the rally. The point of departure was the Château de Vincennes, and Gilbert Sabine, who wished to breathe some new air into his race, decided to relocate the finish line. The Paris-Dakar race was thus transformed into a Paris-Cape Town rally that offered drivers breathtaking scenery. The change indeed seemed necessary because the number of competitors was still in decline. A major innovation also marked this Paris-Dakar: the advent of GPS. This change of direction plunged the competitors into a delicate situation: sandstorms, war-torn Chad, a cresting river in Namibia: nature was unleashing all her fury. However, all these ups and downs could not prevent Hubert Auriol from doing the impossible in a car: "It is my greatest victory. Being the first to win the Dakar in a car, after having won two times on a bike. And here, in Cape Town...it can't be topped." In the motorcycle class, Stephane Peterhansel consolidates his reputation.
1993
The rally returned to its original route with a departure from the Trocadéro and a finish in Dakar. The number of entrants is worrisome this time: 154. It had never been so low.
As for the route, the dunes of El Goléa were just as harsh as those of Agadem and El Oued. One-third of the competitors remained stuck in the sand. Hubert Auriol himself was trapped in the Mauritanian dunes. Nevertheless, Bruno Saby and Stephane Peterhansel managed to finish the race in first place. The latter achieved his status alongside the greatest names in the race: he wins his third title.
1994
Little by little, the rally was restoring its luster. The number of participants was up and the rally saw the return of René Metge in a truck. Gilbert Sabine and his team withdrew; the Dakar now belonged to the Amaury Sport Organization. The route, designed by Fenouil, then the "boss" of the Dakar, was the group's first innovation. The race was actually Paris-Dakar-Paris. The idea was certainly attractive, but the race was no less demanding. In the car class, Pierre Lartigue won his first title while in the motorcycle class; Edi Orioli mounted the podium for the third time, ahead of Jordi Arcarons.
1995
For the first time in the history of the rally, the race did not depart from France, but from Spain—-Grenada to be exact. Moreover, the race now lasted only fifteen days. Hubert Auriol became the race's manager on the ground and therefore was an eyewitness to the performance of Stéphane Peterhansel, who won yet again. Victory awaited him in Dakar. In the car class, Pierre Lartigue finished first ahead of Bruno Saby.
1996
Same route, more competitors, a third triumph for Pierre Lartigue and a fourth for Edi Orioli, whose names are now inscribed in the "Dakar Pantheon". Rid of his leader, Peterhansel, Orioli put his knowledge of Africa to good use to finish a route that was near perfection. This 18th edition saw the first success of a Kamaz with the victory of the Russian tandem, Moskovskikh and Kouzmine. As is customary, the race afforded splendid views. The competitors moved forward in a postcard-ready setting, which fully met their expectations: "We live in a sad world, we need to get away, to discover, to meet others."(Patrick Tambay)
1997
For the first time, the race began in Dakar. On the program: a Dakar-Dakar loop, with a headlining return to Niger and the mythic Ténéré desert. Japan's Ken Shinozuka drove to victory in the car class. Jutta Kleinschmidt finished fifth and became the first woman to win a stage in the Dakar: "All the drivers, from every stable, came to hug me and congratulate me. At that moment, in addition to immense joy, I felt an enormous camaraderie. The Dakar is great!"(Jutta Kleinschmidt). For Peterhansel, it was a coronation as he soared to his fifth win. His goal? Win the rally again to be the only competitor to have six victories to his name.
1998
The Dakar celebrates 20 years! The race was launched from Paris and crossed Spain to end in Dakar. There were numerous dune crossings, so digging out and sand removal were the order of the day for this edition. The winning drivers were Jean-Pierre Fontenay for cars, who thus achieved his first Dakar victory, and Stéphane Peterhansel in the motorcycle class. The Frenchman thus triumphed in his incredible wager and scored his sixth Dakar win: "My ten Dakar years are the most memorable of my life," he declared, overcome by emotion.
1999
The city of Grenada, capital of Andalusia, witnessed its third departure. Two builders had new dates with victory: BMW won the motorcycle class with Richard Sainct, 14 years after Gaston Rahier, and Renault won with Jean- Louis Schlesser, 17 years after the Marreau brothers. Stephane Peterhansel, a six-time winner on his bike, got behind the wheel of a car. Jutta Kleinschmidt, already successful as the first woman in the history of the rally to win a stage, flirted, at least temporarily, with taking the lead in the overall ranking.

2000
The 22nd edition offered a considerable surprise: for the first time, the rally crossed Africa from west to east, from Senegal toward Egypt. The number of participants (400) translated the enthusiasm generated by this route. The race was sometimes perturbed by terrorist threats and the organizers, wishing to ensure the safety of the competitors, decided to implement an air bridge. The race then continued in Libya, via Cairo. Two winners were celebrated at the base of the pyramids: Richard Sainct and Jean-Louis Schlesser.
2001
The 2001 edition was inspired by the wish to emphasize the core values of the Dakar rally. Many changes were in the air, particularly the decision to reduce the amount of airborne assistance (mechanics) by favoring assistance vehicles. A woman finished the race on top for the first time: Jutta Kleinschmidt in a Mitsubishi. For the motorcycle class, congratulations were in order for the Italian rider, Fabrizio Meoni.
2002
The 24th edition of the Dakar was greeted by a teeming crowd that came to Arras for the race's send-off. For cars, victory came to Japan's Masuoka while for the bikes, Meoni won the top honor for the second time. Twenty-four years after its creation and after having undergone many changes, today the Paris-Dakar rally is one of the biggest sports events in the world. This African sports adventure is synonymous with epic and groundbreaking journeys. On the Dakar, more than sports achievements, the first victory is simply to arrive "at the end" of this unique human adventure.
2003
An atypical route for the 25th anniversary of the Dakar, with a finish in Egypt for the second time in the history of the race. In addition to the second consecutive win for Japan's Hiroshi Masuoka, it was above all the misadventures of his Mitsubishi teammate Stéphane Peterhansel that marked the event. Out to become the second driver to win in a car after having won on a motorcycle (1991-92-93-95-97-98), the Frenchman had completed nearly all of the really clearly on top of the overall rankings before a nightmarish 16th stage, where he lost all hope of joining Hubert Auriol as a two-way winner of the Dakar. In the motorcycle class, Richard Sainct joined the elite circle of three-time winners.
2004
The 26th edition of the race, from Clermont-Ferrand to Dakar, marked the return to a traditional route that was at the same time very demanding. Between Morocco and Senegal, via Mali, Mauritania and Burkina-Faso, the competitors were forced to perform miracles in terms of driving and navigation. After his six victories on two wheels, Stéphane Peterhansel added a first victory in the car category behind the wheel of his Mitsubishi to his record of achievements, hence becoming the second driver in the history of the Dakar to have won in both categories. In the motorcycle category, the Spanish rider Nani Roma finally triumphed in his ninth Dakar, ahead of an unhappy Richard Sainct who injured his arm in the first Moroccan stage. In the truck category, Vladimir Tchaguine won for the fourth time in a Kamaz truck, the third consecutive win in the category.
2005
The start in Barcelona was the opportunity for the competitors who hadn't witnessed the previous editions to get a taste of what the Dakar really was thanks to the warm welcome of the Catalan crowd. In extremely difficult weather conditions, the journey through Morocco, Mauritania, Mali and Senegal proved to be very tough for the crews needing endurance and tenacity. Six-time winner on a bike, Stéphane Peterhansel showed he was also able to triumph on four wheels by retaining his title, despite the harsh competition of his Mitsubishi team mate Luc Alphand, 2nd. The bike race, shocked by the deaths of Jose-Manuel Perez and Fabrizio Meoni, crowned Cyril Despres on a KTM for the first time. In the truck category, the Kamaz winning streak continued but this time Firdaus Kabirov claimed victory while four-time winner Vladimir Tchaguine lost all hopes of success in Mauritania.

1979
PARIS - ALGIERS - DAKAR

1st PARIS - ALGIERS - DAKAR
•    Start: 26 December 1978 from Paris (Trocadéro)
•    Finish: 14 January 1979 at Dakar (Rose Lake)
•    Rest: 8 January 1979 at Gao
•    Length of rally: 10,000 km
•    Number of kilometers of specials: 3,168 km
•    Countries crossed: France, Algeria, Niger, Mali, Upper
Volta, Senegal

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS : 182
-    At the start:      80 cars
90 motorcycles 12 trucks
-    At the finish:    74 vehicles

OVERALL SCRATCH RANKING :
1.    Cyril Neveu (Fra) YAMAHA
2.    Gilles Comte (Fra) YAMAHA
3.    Philippe Vassard (Fra) HONDA
4.    Genestier/Terblaut/Lemodant (Fra) ROVER
5.   Claude Mareau/Bernard Mareau (Fra) RENAULT

MAIN COMPETITORS
Motorcycle
•    Sonauto Yamaha-BP : Gilles Comte, Christian Rayer,
Rudy Potisek, Jean-Claude Olivier
•    Yamaha privée : Cyril Neveu, Hubert Auriol
•    Honda : Gilles Desheulles, Philippe Vassard, Christian
Desnoyers
•    Guzzi: Bernard Rigoni
•    Suzuki: Alain Vial, Laurent Gomis, Corinne
Koppenhague
•    BMW: Fenouil
•    Kawasaki: Daniel Piton

Car
•    Range Rover: Jacky Privé, René Metge et Christophe
Neveu
•    Toyota : Team Fougerrousse, Harrewynn-Delannoy et
Pichot-Vandekerkhove
•    Renault 4 Sinpar: Freres Claude et Bernard Marreau
•    Renault 30 TS : Georges Houél et Christian Pouchelon
Truck (12 at the start)

HIGHLIGHTS
•    The Dakar, the first sports event of the year: to use a favorite expression of Thierry Sabine, the Dakar is an adventure
meant "to cause those who stay behind to dream."
•    Neveu, Rayer, Fenouil, Auriol: these names were already well known by the end of this first edition. Their lives were
stirred into the nascent legend of the Dakar.
•    First crazy gamble: Philippe Hayat, a 39-year-old journalist and adventure seeker, Jean-Pierre Domblides, a teacher, and
Daniel Nolan, a technician from Renault Gordini, decided to tackle the challenge on board a Renault KZ 11 CV. The same
model as the one driven by Commander Etienne and that had connected Oran to Capetown in January 1927 after travelling
18,000 kilometers in 36 days.
•    One Neveu may be hiding others: Christophe Neveu, Cyril's brother, took off from the start in a Range Rover.
•    First media presence: RTL. Every evening from 20:30 to 22:00, Max Meynier brought the rally to life broadcasting live
from his Toyota Land Cruiser. At his side, Christian Boudas for technical assistance and Francis Zegutt for logistics.
•    Seven women started the race: all seven competitors rode motorcycles: Martine from Cortanze, Pascale Geurie, Martine
Rénier, Marido, Christine Martin-Lefort, Marie Ertaud and Corinne Koppenhague.
•    No production vehicles were present for this first edition.
•    Peugeot lended a hand: medical assistance was provided by Peugeot 504's with two-wheel drive.
•    20 journalists from 13 media outlets: this was the composition of the press contingent for the first edition.
•    Global ranking system: a single scratch ranking applied to motorcycles, cars and trucks.

THE ROUTE
Monthléry (3,6 km) Paris - Alger
1 étape : Prologue
2 étape : Alger - Tamanrasset (2370 km dont 270 km de spéciale)
3 étape : Tamanrasset - Agadez (870 km)
Tamanrasset-In Guezzam (373 km de spéciale) Assamaka-Arlit (230 km de spéciale) Arlit-Agadez (231 km de spéciale)
4 étape : Agadez - Niamey (920 km dont 230 km de spéciale)
5 étape : Niamey - Gao (448 km - étape neutralisée)
Repos a Gao
6 étape : Gao - Bamako (1250 km dont 600 km de spéciale)
7 étape : Bamako - Nioro (spéciale de 417 km)
8 étape : Nioro - Dakar (866 km)
Nioro-Kayes (270 km de spéciale) Bakel-Dakar (96 km de spéciale)

THE RACE
•    Prologue: Monthléry (3.6 km) and 1st stage: Paris - Alger
The day after Christmas, 170 teams tear out of the esplanade of the Trocadéro to experience a unique adventure. The first prologue in history takes place at a military facility near Orléans, before heading on to Algiers and the mysterious Africa.
•    2nd stage: Algiers - Tamanrasset (2370 km, including 270 km special)
First special (270 km Reggane-In Salah) won by Jacky Privé (Range Rover) ahead of Christophe Neveu (Range Rover) and Christian Rayer (Yamaha XT 500).
•    3rd stage: Tamanrasset - Agadez (870 km)
Already the victors of the prologue, the Neveu/Gaignault team triumph in the second special (Tamanrasset-In Guezzam). Third tough special between Arlit and Agadez (230 km). One-fourth of the competitors get lost in the heart of the Air. The motorcycles take advantage of it to lock up the top twelve positions for the stage and the top three overall. First car: the 504 driven by Corsicans Moreau and Touya. Jean-Claude Olivier wins the stage while Patrick Schaal becomes leader in the overall standings.
•    4th stage: Agadez - Niamey (920 km, including 230 km special)
Mid-race, there is a series of crashes in Niger during the Tahoua-Talchot special. Jean-Claude Olivier, who recorded the scratch time, falls victim to a wrist fracture following a tangle with the vehicle of Christophe Neveu, who had been disqualified. He is forced to withdraw. Same disappointment for Christian Desnoyers, 1978 French trial champion, and Houel/Pouchelon, driving their R30. However, the 1927 Renault KZ looks close to winning its outrageous gamble.
•    6th stage: Gao - Bamako (1250 km, including 600 km special)
Schaal falls during the sixth marathon special (Gao-Mopti - 600 km). He suffers a compound fracture of his little finger. Cyril Neveu takes the lead of the rally.
•    7th stage: Bamako - Nioro (417-km special)
Bamako celebrates the Dakar. The "desert fools" are welcomed by walls of human beings. During the Sahel stage, Bamako-Nioro, only one competitor arrives within the allotted time: Philippe Vassard, on his Honda motorcycle.
•    8th stage: Nioro - Dakar (866 km)
Last special: Bakel-Dakar (96 km). The 74 surviving vehicles wrap up with a finale on the banks of Rose Lake in Dakar. The first princes of the desert are named Neveu, Comte and Vassard. Its first queen answers to the sweet name of Martine de Cortanze. She finished in 19th pace gripping the handlebars of her Honda 250 XLS.
SUBSIDIARY

•    Stage victories                                
Num    Etape    Spéciale    Km    Vainqueur Auto    Nat    Marque    Vainqueur    Nat    Marque
Moto        
1 Montlhery    Prologue    3,6    Neveu/Gaignault    Fra    R Rover    Desnoyers    Fra    Honda
2 Alger-Tamanrasset    Reggane-In Salah    270    Privé/Privé    Fra    R Rover    Rayer    Fra    Yamaha
3 Tamanrasset-Agadez    Tamanrasset-In Guezzam    373    Neveu/Gaignault    Fra    R Rover    Potisek    Fra    Yamaha
3 Tamanrasset-Agadez    Assamaka-Arlit    230    Daurageon/Prechet    Fra    Renault    Schaal    Fra    Yamaha
3 Tamanrasset-Agadez    Arlit-Agadez    231    Moreau/Touya    Fra    Peugeot    Olivier    Fra    Yamaha
4 Agadez-Niamey    Tahoua-Talchot    230    Marreau/Marreau    Fra    Renault    Olivier    Fra    Yamaha
5 Niamey-Gao    Etape neutralisée    448                        
6 Gao-Bamako    Gao-Mopti    600    Terbiaud/Genestier    Fra    R Rover    Comte    Fra    Yamaha
7 Bamako-Nioro    Bamako-Nioro    417    Cavalleri/Giraudo    Ita    Fiat    Vassard    Fra    Honda
8 Nioro du Sahel-Dakar    Nioro-Kayes    270                Rayer    Fra    Yamaha
8 Nioro du Sahel-Dakar    Bakel-Dakar    96    Rigal/Rochette    Fra    R Rover    Comte    Fra    Yamaha

OVERALL SCRATCH RANKING
1 NEUVEU Cyril YAMAHA    Fra
2 COMTE Gilles  YAMAHA    Fra
3 VASSARD Philippe  HONDA    Fra
4 GENESTIER/TERBLAUT/LEMORDANT  RANGE ROVER    Fra
5 MARREAU C et B  R4 SINPAR    Fra
6 SCHAECHT Alain  HONDA    Fra
7 GIRAUDO/CAVALLERI  FIAT    Ita
8 RAYER Christian  YAMAHA    Fra
9 CARLETTI T et L  FIAT    Ita
10 PICHOT/VANDEKERHOVE/DUTERY  TOYOTA    Fra
11 MAITROT Jacques  HONDA    Fra
12 AURIOL Hubert  YAMAHA    Fra
13 NEIMER Bernard  HONDA    Fra
14 ATANNE Bernard  HONDA    Fra
15 GOMIS Laurent  SUZUKI    Fra
16 RIGAL/ROCHETTE  RANGE ROVER    Fra
17 TOCCI/FUCCI  FIAT    Ita
18 CHAMBILI/DESAUNAY  TOYOTA    Fra
19 DE CORTANZE Martine  HONDA    Fra
20 DO REIS J.Pierre  HONDA    Fra
21 ALBARET Guy  YAMAHA    Fra
22 PADOU Alain  HONDA    Fra
23 IGNAZ/RATET  TOYOTA    Fra
24 MARTIN Alain  HONDA    Fra
25 M. et Mme CATEL  RANGE ROVER    Fra
26 HARREWYN/DELANNOY  TOYOTA    Fra
27 MOUREN/BRAQUET  TOYOTA    Fra
28 MINONZIO/LE DENTU  LADA    Fra
29 GABRIELLE Henri  HONDA    Fra
30 POPINEAU Eric  HONDA    Fra
31 ARBIZZI/CRAPPOLO  FIAT    Ita
32 TARAVELLA Patrice  HONDA    Fra
33 BERTY Pierre  YAMAHA    Fra
34 ERTAUD Marie  YAMAHA    Fra
35 BEAUFRONT Patrick    YAMAHA    Fra
36 GAUTIER Bernard    HONDA    Fra
37 NEVEU Maurice/CARRERA    TOYOTA    Fra
39 PITON Daniel    KAWA    Fra
40 BOUCHER Didier    YAMAHA    Fra
41 Mmes FOUGEROUSSE/BECKENS    TOYOTA    Fra
42 DUBOSCO/FROISSART    LADA    Fra
43 PASCAULT Thierry    YAMAHA    Fra
44 DUNAC/CHAPEL/BEAU    PINZGAUER    Fra
45 GEURIE Pascale    HONDA    Fra
46 MENGUE Pierre    YAMAHA    Fra
47 BORDAIS/QUIE    RANGE ROVER    Fra
48 RIGONI Bernard    GUZZI    Fra
49 FORESTIER/MENEAU    TOYOTA    Fra
50 VIAL Alain    SUZUKI    Fra
51 KURRER/HENRIET    COURNIL    Fra
52 SEZALORY/CASARINI/DE FREMONT    TOYOTA    Fra
53 LEMONNIER B. et J.    TOYOTA    Fra
54 M. et Mme SARRAZIN    RANGE ROVER    Fra
55 FONDRILLON/SHAECHT    TOYOTA    Fra
56 HUGUENY/TREVIDIC    TOYOTA    Fra
57 PIOT/RAUX/BOULME    TOYOTA    Fra
58 COMMENCAL Max    YAMAHA    Fra
59 PETIT/MARE    75 PAC    Fra
60 CALAMEL M. et M.    LAND ROVER    Fra
61 BANINO/LEGOURRIEREC    TOYOTA    Fra
62 CLEMENT M. et Mme    LAND ROVER    Fra
63 LECONTE Guy    YAMAHA    Fra
64 ROGHE Thierry    HONDA    Fra
65 VERHAEGHE Grégoire    HONDA    Fra
66 BELLEVILLE/CHAPEL/SANNIER    RANGE ROVER    Fra
67 ALEXANDRE/PUREN    RANGE ROVER    Fra
68 GUILLOT/PRADEAU    COURNIL    Fra
69 TURCAT/DE ARAUJO    COURNIL    Fra
70 CHAMAGNE/THERAGE    PEUGEOT    Fra
71 NOLLAN/HAYAT/DOMBLIDES    RENAULT    Fra
72 MEKKI/NEAULT    190 PAC    Fra
73 ANDRE/PUYFOULHOUX    PEUGEOT    Fra
74 BOUILLE/MOREL    R5    Fra

1980

PARIS - ALGIERS - DAKAR

2 PARIS - ALGIERS - DAKAR
•    Start: 1 January 1980 from Paris (Trocadéro)
•    Finish: 23 January 1980 in Dakar (Rose Lake)
•    Rest: 10 January 1980 in Gao
•    Length of rally: 10,000 km
•    Number of kilometers of specials: 4,059 km
•    Countries crossed: France, Algeria, Mali, Mauritania,
Niger, Upper Volta, Senegal

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 216
-    At the start:      116 cars
90 motorcycles 10 trucks
-    At the finish:    81 véhicles
including   49 cars
25 motorcycles 7 trucks

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS:
Kotulinsky/Luffelman (All) VOLKSWAGEN
OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS:
Cyril Neveu (Fra) YAMAHA
OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS:
Ataquat/Boukrif/Kaoula (Fra) SONACOME

MAIN COMPETITORS
Motorcycle
•    Yamaha XT 500 : Cyril Neveu, Christian Rayer, Gilles
Comte, Michel Merel, Jean-Noël Pineau
•    BMW 800 : Hubert Auriol et Fenouil
•    KTM 240 : Gilles Desheulles et Philippe Vassard
•    Honda 500 XLS : Bernard Rigoni
Car
•    Buggy : Yves Sunhill et Hervé Cotel
•    Renault 4 Sinpar: Les freres Marreau
•    Range Rover: Neveu-Bourgoin
•    Lada Niva : Briavoine-Clerisse
•    Volkswagen Ilt is : Ragnotti-Vanis
•    Renault 12 Gordini: Kerc-Ydrau
Truck
•    Leyland Marathon : René Metge
•    Mercedes Benz : Georges Groine

HIGHLIGHTS
Italy faces off against the rest of the world: confronted with the armada of Japanese machines, alongside BMW and KTM, one Italian motorcycle will defend the honor of European builders. This 750 cm3 Ducata was prepared by the "Shop Moto" establishments at the Salon-de-Provence. Riding the bike, an all-terrain specialist, off-road veteran Michel Cheylan. Commissioner Moulin at the start: Yves Régnier makes his first appearance in the rally, as well as the three-time winner of the Le Mans 24 Hour race, Henri Pescarolo.
From the ocean to the desert... rower Gérard D'Aboville also decided to line up, but in a motorcycle. Truck rankings: a major first for this second edition is the creation of a specific general ranking system for trucks. 43 Yamaha: as winner of the first edition, Yamaha appears to be the favorite. The Japanese company enjoys major assistance from a plane and a helicopter. The team also benefits from the forfeiting of the official Hondas. Four women on bikes: the Ladies' Cup will be disputed by Martine de Cortanze and Marie Ertaud on Yamaha 500 XT's, and Nicole Maitrot and Christine Martin-Lefort on Honda 250 XLS's. Rest: two days of rest for the second edition of the Dakar

THE ROUTE
Prologue a Olivet (4 km)
1 étape : Alger - In Salah (957km dont 37 km de spéciale)
2 étape : In Salah - Gao (1575 km)
In Salah-Reggane (270 km de spéciale) Reggane-Bordj-Moktar (630 km de spéciale) Bordj-Moktar-Gao (675 km de spéciale)
Repos a Gao
3 étape : Gao - Tombouctou - Gao
Gao-Mopti (595 km de spéciale) Mopti-Niono (liaison) Niono-Tombouctou (570 km de spéciale) Tombouctou-Gao (424 km de spéciale)
4 étape : Gao - Bobo Dioulasso (liaison 1300 km)
5 étape : Bobo Dioulasso - Kolokani (ss 120 km)
Repos a Kolokani
6 étape : Kolokani - Kayes (527 km)
Kolokani-Nioro (280 km de spéciale) Nioro-Kayes (247 km de spéciale)
7 étape : Kayes - Dakar (745 km)
Kayes-Bakel (liaison 168 km) Bakel-Linguere (liaison 370 km) Linguere-Lampoul (87 km de spéciale) Lampoul-Dakar (120 km de spéciale)

THE RACE
•    Prologue at Olivet
Fifteen motorcycles take the top fifteen slots. Cyril Neveu edges out Desheulles and Burgat. The Briavoine-Clérisse tandem posts the best time in a four-wheel vehicle, just 16th on their Lada Niva.
•    1st stage: Algiers - In Salah (957 km)
The first special on African soil is contested at the doors of the desert (Moudj-Barra - Messad). Cyril Neveu once again sets the lead time ahead of Auriol and Desheulles. The first car, Briavoine's Lada, finishes eighth.
•    2nd stage: In Salah - Gao (1575 km)
The In Salah-Reggane special takes place on a smooth piste with a few sand banks on the Tidikelt plain.
On his Yamaha, Breton sets the pace ahead of Christophe Neveu's Range Rover and Fenouil's BMW. Cyril Neveu loses 25
minutes and loses his leader position to his brother Christophe. He beats Auriol's BMW and the Renault driven by the Marreau
brothers.
At the Mali border, in the famous Tanezrouft desert, Ragnotti-Vanis set a hellish pace behind the wheel of their Volkswagen and
post the best time. André Costa, editor-in-chief of "Auto Journal", takes second place driving his Citroën CX 2400 GTI, and
takes the overall lead. The BMW's are left out of the celebration. Auriol loses more than two and one-half hours because of a
broken valve and Fenouil has to ride on a single cylinder.
•    3rd stage: Gao - Timbuktu - Gao
The Gao-Mopti special is one of the best of this second edition, but also one of the most trying, on a piste known for "mechanical breakdowns". Hubert Auriol posts the best time, climbs back up to 6th place in the overall standings and second place in the motorcycle standings behind Lloret's 500. Cars go for it with gusto during this special and fill out the top four spots. In fourth place, there is the Volkswagen from the Kottulinsky-Luffelmann duo, which is taking over the rally, just ahead of the Marreau brothers and Zaniroli. The fifth special, between Nioro and Timbuktu, sees Jean Ragnotti stage a celebration on a piste along the Niger known for its deceptive qualities. The Iltis Volkswagen, despite a tire change that causes it to lose 10 minutes, precedes the KTM ridden by Gilles Desheulles and the Yamaha of another Gilles, Comte. During this special, the Kerc-Ydraut R12 Sinpar is forced to abandon the rally.
•    4th stage: Gao - Bobo Dioulasso (liaison 1300 km)
A theatrical moment on the Dakar during this transitional stage. A winner of three specials since the beginning of the race and the new motorcycle leader, Huber Auriol is disqualified. He is accused of having completed part of the Gao-Bobo Dioulasso liaison on a local vehicle following a problem with his gear box. The BMW driver was trying to reach Ouagadougou in order to wait for his help when he was inspected and sanctioned.
•    5th stage : Bobo Dioulasso - Kolokani (ss 120 km)
Already a winner of two specials, Kottulinsky once again wins on his VW. In other news, Merel drives his Yamaha to success.
•    6th stage: Kolokani - Kayes (527 km)
During the day's first special between Kolokani and Nioro, the Marreau brothers and Cyril Neveu prove to be the most prompt. Neveu thus pads his lead in the motorcycle standings. The second special (Nioro-Kayes) sees Kottulinsky take over once again.
•    7th stage: Kayes - Dakar (745 km)
The penultimate special of this edition (Linguere-Lampoul) only confirms the excellent end of the race performance of Yamaha driver Cyril Neveu, overall leader. The day's special goes to Philippe Vassard on his KTM bike, which finishes ahead of Burgat's Yamaha and Fenouil's BMW. In Dakar, the second edition issues its verdict: number two for Cyril Neveu. Once gain the motorcycles have bested the cars. Michel Merel, also on a Yamaha, finishes second. Kottulinsky-Luffelmann on their Volkswagen Iltis take third place in the overall standings and thus first for the car rankings. At the top of the two-wheel drive standings is Sunhill in his buggy.

Num    Etape
1 Olivet Prologue 4 Briavoine/Clérisse Fra Lada  Neveu Fra Yamaha
2 Alger-In Salah Moudj Barra-Messaad 37  Briavoine/Clérisse Fra Lada Neveu Fra Yamaha
3 In Salah-Gao In Salah-Reggane 270 Neveu/Aubourg Fra R Rover Breton Fra Yamaha
3 In Salah-Gao Reggane-Bordj Moktar 630    Ragnotti/Vails Fra VW Merel Fra    Yamaha
3 In Salah-Gao Bordj Moktar-Gao 675 Kottulinsky/Luffelman All VW Auriol Fra BMW
4 Gao-Tombouctou-Gao Gao-Mopti 595 Kottulinsky/Luffelman All VW    Auriol Fra BMW
4 Gao-Tombouctou-Gao Niono-Tombouctou 570 Ragnotti/Vails Fra VW    Desheulles Fra KTM
4 Gao-Tombouctou-Gao Tombouctou-Gao 424    Neveu/Aubourg Fra R Rover Auriol Fra BMW
5 Gao-Bobo Dioulasso Liaison 1300
6 Bobo Dioulasso-I Kolokani Bobo Dioulasso-Kolokani 120    Kottulinsky/Luffelman All VW Merel Fra Yamaha
7 Kolokani-Kayes Kolokani-Nioro 280 Marreau/Marreau Fra Renault    Neveu Fra Yamaha
7 Kolokani-Kayes Nioro-Kayes 247 Kottulinsky/Luffelman All VW Vassard Fra KTM
8 Kayes-Dakar Linguere-Lampoul 87 Cotel    Fra Buggy Vassard Fra KTM  
8 Kayes-Dakar Lampoul-Dakar 120    Neveu/Aubourg Fra R Rover Neveu    Fra Yamaha

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS
1 KOTULINSKY F.LUFFELMAN  VOLKSWAGEN  Sue
2 ZANIROLI P./COLESSE  VOLKSWAGEN  Fra
3 MARREAU B. et C.  RENAULT 4  Fra
4 RAGNOTTI J./VAILS G.  VOLKSWAGEN  Fra
5 NEVEU Ch./BOURGOIN  RANGE ROVER  Fra
6 BOURGOIGNIE/TASIAUX/GIERST  RANGE ROVER  Fra
7 BECKERS C./STINGLHAMBER/GERIN  RANGE ROVER  Bel
8 DELEFORTERIE J. & P./PRAT  TOYOTA  Fra
9 GUMPERT R./EDER A.  VOLKSWAGEN  All
10 GUERMONPREZ C./RAVEZ J.C.  RANGE ROVER  Fra
11 SUNHILL Y.  BUGGY    Fra
12 KURRER J.P./CHANTEUX J.M.  COURNIL    Fra
13 COTEL H./CORBETTA C.  BUGGY PROTO    Fra
14 COQUANT/ATANE/CARDINAL  TOYOTA    Fra
15 LEROUX P./MASERATI  TOYOTA  Fra
16 MOY G./INDLET/NORY  TOYOTA  Fra
17 RENIER Y./LE GUEN/GENIES  TOYOTA  Fra
18 ANDRIEU L./BOUILLON C.  TOYOTA  Fra
19 TROSSAT A./TOURON J.  LADA NIVA  Fra
20 NEVEU C./AUBOURG J.P.  RANGE ROVER  Fra
21 BORDAIS J.M./QUIE M.  RANGE ROVER  Fra
22 LIZARD H./SORIANO  TOYOTA  Fra
23 HARREWYN F./LIGER  MERCEDES  Fra
24 THENOUX P./GOULLIOUD O.  COURNIL  Fra
25 TAMALET C. & F.  STEYR PUCH  Fra
26 BONALDI L./PAILLOUX J.  LADA NIVA  Fra
27 CLATOT/KAYSER/BEINHAUER  STEYR PUCH  Fra
28 DUBOSCQ Ch. & J.  LADA NIVA    Fra
29 HUGUENY M./PROST J.F.  TOYOTA  Fra
30 CLAUDIN R. & M.C.  RANGE ROVER  Fra
31 LOURSEAU/GRANJA/LEFEBVRE  RANGE ROVER  Fra
32 DELANNOY M./BADIOU G.  TOYOTA  Fra
33 NEYRIAL/FOURNOL  PEUGEOT  Fra
34 SIMON J.P./BOULANGER E.  RANGE ROVER  Fra
35 BARD A./DANIEL P.  TOYOTA  Fra
36 MONGIN/SOUVANT/SIMONPIER  TOYOTA  Fra
37 RODIER C./MAIRESSE B.  TOYOTA  Fra
38 BORDIER J.J.  LAND ROVER    Fra
39 BERLA A./ARBIN C./HENRIO  TOYOTA  Fra
40 BARBE/DURIAUX/MESPLOMD  TOYOTA  Fra
41 REMUSAT P./PRUVOT  TOYOTA  Fra
42 BARRAL G./BESNARD F.  TOYOTA  Fra
43 HUGUENY M./SANTOS C.  TOYOTA  Fra
44 GUICHARD/FLAMAIN/SOLER  TOYOTA  Fra
45 TRAUTMAN R./VALLECI R.  LAND ROVER  Fra
46 HANRIOUD J.P./BERTINI  LAND ROVER  Fra
47 HEINIS P. & P.  TOYOTA  Fra
48 BREBANT F./MAYROLL  LAND ROVER  Fra
48 GUILLOT G./PRADEAU P.  COURNIL  Fra
49 PIOT J.F./SPRAGIA  LAND ROVER  Fra

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE        
STANDINGS

1 NEVEU C.  YAMAHA  Fra
2 MEREL M.  YAMAHA  Fra
3 PINEAU J.N.  YAMAHA    Fra
4 LLORET J.P.  YAMAHA    Fra
5 FENOUIL  BMW    Fra
6 VASSARD PH.  KTM  Fra
7 PADOU A.  HONDA  Fra
8 LOUE L  YAMAHA  Fra
9 ALBARET  YAMAHA  Fra
10 JOINEAU M.  SUZUKI  Fra
11 YVORA J.M.  YAMAHA  Fra
12 BURGAT  YAMAHA  Fra
13 VERHAEGUE G.    HONDA  Fra
14 RENE D.  HONDA  Fra
15 BEAUFRONT P.    YAMAHA    Fra
16 TONNELINE J.P.  SUZUKI  Fra
17 DUISIT P.  YAMAHA  Fra
18 CHEYLAN M.  DUCATI  Fra
19 LEBRUN G.  HONDA  Fra
20 MARTIN C.  HONDA  Fra
21 AURIOL J.P. YAHAMA  Fra
22 DECOMBEIX P.M.  HONDA  Fra
23 MAITROT N.  HONDA  Fra
24 DESHEULLES G.  KTM  Fra
25 RAZET M.  SUZUKI  Fra

OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS

1 ATAQUAT/BOUKRIF/KAOULA  SONACOME  Fra
2 HEU/DELOBEL/VERSINO  MAN  Fra
3 BOUZID/DAID/MEKHELEF  SONACOME  Fra
4 HAFFANE/ZERGOUN/HADDOU  SONACOME  Fra
5 MARIE J.C./BOULAY  RENAULT  Fra
6 FRUMHOLTZ J./DOZ  RENAULT  Fra
7 METGE R./DE SAULIEU/LANDAIS  MARATHON  Fra

1981

PARIS - ALGIERS - DAKAR

3 PARIS - ALGIERS - DAKAR
•    Start: 1 January 1981 from Paris (Trocadéro)
•    Finish: 20 January 1981 in Dakar (Rose Lake)
•    Rest: 9 January 1981 at Gao
•    Length of rally: 6,263 km
•    Number of kilometers of specials: 3,357 km
•    Countries crossed: France, Algeria, Mali, Upper Volta,
Ivory Coast, Senegal

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 291
-    At the start:      170 cars
106 motorcycles 15 trucks
-    At the finish:      91 véhicles
including     60 cars
28 motorcycles 3 trucks

MAIN Motorcycle
•    Honda : Cyril Neveu, Gilles Desheulles, Philippe
Vassard, Bernard Rigoni
•    Yamaha : Michel Merel, Jean-Noël Pineau, Yvan
Tcherniovsky, Jean-Paul Lloret, Serge Bacou
•    BMW : Fenouil, Hubert Auriol, Bernard Neimer
•    KTM Fenwick : Yann Cadoret, Philippe Augier, Gilles
Francru, Elia Andrioletti
Truck
•    Mercedes : Groine-De Saulieu

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS:
Metge/Giroux (Fra) RANGE ROVER
OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS:
Hubert Auriol (Fra) BMW
OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS:
Villette/Gabrielle/Voillerau (Fra) ALM/ACMAT

COMPETITORS Car
•    CX 2400 GTI (Citroën usine officielle) : Ickx-Brasseur,
Lapie-Olhagaray, Luc-Alessandrini, Deschazeaux-
Plassard
•    Renault 20 turbo : les Freres Marreau
•    Renault 30 : Houel-Planté, Frikel-Gabreau
•    Porsche 924 : Costa-Gandrille, Chasseuil-Gauvain
•    Lada Niva : Briavoine-Deliaire
•    Buggies : Sunhill, Cortel-Corbetta

HIGHLIGHTS
Montcorgé rides in a Rolls: Thierry de Montcorgé enters a Rolls Royce sponsored by Christian Dior and christened "Jules", from the name of the most recent lines of menswear from the company. Nearly 2000 hours of labor were required to transform the vehicle: relocated engine, reduced weight, four-wheel drive, roll bars, new steering and gear box, new shock absorbers, etc.
Ickx-Brasseur: first competition for Jacky Ickx and Claude Brasseur. The former was a four-time winner of the Le Mans 24 Hour Grand Prix and the latter competed in go-karting. They will be driving CX 2400 GTI.
Six women and engines: Nicole Maitrot (Honda 125), Marie-Claude Laredo (Yamaha 500), Patricia De Keyser and Marie Ertaud (Kawasaki 250) are all up for this 3rd edition.
Martine de Cortanze: first lady of the Dakar in 1979, this lover of all-terrain races who had horrible luck in 1980 when her bike burned, will take off this year on a Yamaha 250.

•    Christine Martin: steering the handlebars of her Honda XL 250 S, she won the Ladie's Trophy in 1980. The young woman,
age 30, with a degree in sociology and a filmmaker, has been tackling all-terrain events for four years.
•    The oldest: Georges Houel, paired with Pierre Planté, participates in his second Dakar rally. At the age of 67, he does not
want to hear talk of retirement. On his resume are fifteen Monte-Carlo competitions, four Morocco rallies, four Acropolis and
three Tours d'Europe.

Prologue a Olivet (5 km) Prologue a Sete (7,5 km)

1 étape : Alger - Mouj-Barra (liaison 300km)

2 étape : Mouj-Barra - 4 Chemins (949 km dont 38 km de spéciale)

3 étape : 4 Chemins - Tit (605 km dont 565 km de spéciale)

4 étape : Tit - Gao
Tit-Timeaouine (540 km de spéciale) Timeaouine-Gao (liaison) Repos a Gao

5 étape : Gao - Tombouctou (412 km de spéciale)

6 étape : Tombouctou - Niono (570 km de spéciale)

7 étape

8 étape

9 étape : Bouna - Korhogo (ss 326 km)
Niono - Bobo Dioulasso (1 080 km dont 252 km de spéciale ) Bobo Dioulasso - Bouna (liaison 828 km)

10 étape : Korhogo - Kolokani (310 km dont 210 km de spéciale)
Repos a Kolokani

11 étape : Kolokani - Nioro (spéciale de 297 km)

12 étape : Nioro - Dakar (563 km)
Nioro-Bakel (325 km de spéciale) Bakel-Louga (142 km de spéciale) Louga-Dakar (liaison 96 km)

THE RACE
•    Prologue at Olivet and at Sete
Michel Merel on a Yamaha and Ydraut-Red at the wheel of their R12 emerge from the mud in Sologne and win the French prologue at Olivet. At the Garrigues campes in Sete, Briavoine's Lada proves to be the fastest. In motorcycles, Pineau's Yamaha cannot be bested. Cyril Neveu breaks his chain after 30 meters of racing and loses 25 minutes.
•    1st and 2nd stages: Algiers - Mouj-Barra - 4 Chemins (1249 km, including 38 km special)
1st African special and coordinated assault by the Citroëns. Luc-Alessandrini, Deschazeaux-Plassard driving their CX's finish ahead of Chasseuil-Gauvain driving a Porsche. Ickx-Brasseur finish in the fourth position. On bikes, Rigoni bests Bacou and Vassard.
•    3rd and 4th stages: 4 Chemins - Tit - Gao
During the 4 Chemins-In Ecker special, many competitors make a poor choices and take a left at the fork in the road at the village of Silet 90 kilometers from the point of arrival. Auriol and the Marreau brothers, who heeded Thierry Sabine's warnings, dominate and increase their leads in the overall standings. The Honda team amasses more troubles: broken engines for Neveu and Desheulles. Forced to wait for their crews, they lose precious minutes. The Marreau brothers string great performances back to back and also win the Tit-Timeaouine special. As for motorcycles, Desheulles leaves behind his misadventures from the previous day and finishes first. After six stages, Auriol leads the race ahead of Tcherniavsky and Francru. The Marreau brothers are beating the teams of Ickx and Briavoine.
•    5th stage: Gao - Timbuktu (412 km of special)
During the 9th special, the Marreau brothers lose more than 11 hours after having problems with their oil pump. As for Ickx and Brasseur, they encounter some suspension problems. Metge-Giroux, behind the wheel of their Range, steal the lead from Cotel-Corbatta and their buggy. Briavoine-Deliaire are just behind in third place. Auriol has the lead among bikes ahead of Bacou and Merel, both on Yamahas.
•    6th stage: Timbuktu - Niono (570 km of special)
The second takeover for new leaders Metge and Giroux. They seize the lead once again and pad their top position. The story for motorcycles remains unchanged. Auriol is still untouchable.
•    7th stage: Niono - Bobo Dioulasso (1,080 km, including 252 km of special)
Zaniroli scores his first special win. On the bike side, there is also a first for Bacou, who triumphs on his Yamaha.
•    8th and 9th stages: Bobo Dioulasso - Bouna - Korhogo (828 km, including 326 km of special)
Briavoine, second on the stage, narrows to two minutes the lead time of Metge, who falls victim to a ruptured steering tiller. There is also a close call for Auriol, who arrives on two wheels but with one cylinder. The victory goes to Bacou, but there is no change in the overall standings, where 33 motorcycles are still in the hunt.
•    10th and 11th stages: Korhogo - Kolokani - Nioro (310 km, including 507 km of special)
Close struggle between Briavoine and Metge. At the wheel of his Range Rover, Metge attacks hard amidst the dried shrubs of Fesh-Fesh and regains his leader position from Nioro.

•     12th stage: Nioro - Dakar (563 km)
Briavoine slips another position thanks to Cotel in his buggy, who records the best time between Nioro and Bakel. For the motorcycles, Auriol leads while continuing to forge ahead. Fifty kilometers after Kayes, Ickx and Brasseur team's CX performs a spectacular roll-over. Game over for this appealing and deserving duo who returned, resigned, to Bakel late in the night on board the Africatours truck. During the last special toward Louga, 80 survivors are still in the race. Auriol, who had not attached since Gao, wins the scratch time. In the car class, first place goes to Briavoine. Metge and Giroux for cars and Auriol on his bike arrive victorious in Dakar.
Christine Martin, victim of a serious fall when she was in sixth place, ultimately finishes 10th and walks away with the Ladies' Cup. The first private driver is Alain Padou driving a Honda. In trucks, victory is secured by the ALM/ACMAT driven by Villette, Gabrelle and Voillereau.

•    Stage victories
Num    Etape
1 Olivet Prologue Ydraut/Rouget 7,5 Fra Renault Merel Pineau Fra Yamaha
2 Sete Prologue Briavoine/Deliaire Fra Lada
3 Alger-Moudj Barra Liaison Luc/Alessandrini Fra Citroën Rigoni Fra Honda
4 Moudj Barra-Quatre Marreau/Marreau Fra Renault Auriol Fra    BMW
5 Quatre chemins-Tit
6 Tit-Gao Marreau/Marreau Fra Renault Desheulles Fra Honda  
7 Gao-Tombouctou Metge/Giroux Fra R Rover Auriol Fra BMW   
8 Tombouctou-Niono Metge/Giroux Fra R Rover Auriol Fra BMW
9 Niono-Bobo Dioulasso Zaniroli/Lemoyne Fra R Rover Bacou Fra Yamaha
10 Bobo Dioulasso-Bouna Liaison
11 Bouna-Korhogo Ickx/Brasseur Bel Citroën Bacou Fra Yamaha
12 Korhogo-Kolokani Korhogo-Tingrela Briavoine/Deliaire Fra Lada Merel CD Yamaha
13 Kolokani-Nioro du Sahel Metge/Giroux Fra R Rover Vassard Fra Honda
14 Nioro du Sahel-Dakar Nioro du Sahel-Bakel Cotel/Corbetta Fra    Buggy Vassard Fra Honda
14 Nioro du Sahel-Dakar Bakel-Louga Briavoine/Deliaire Fra Lada Bacou Fra Yamaha

OVERALL CAR-TRUCK STANDINGS

1 METGE/GIROUX  RANGE ROVER Fra
2 COTEL/CORBETTA  BUGGY/CITIZEN Fra
3 BRIAVOINE/DELIAIRE  LADA Fra
4 SIMON/BOULANGER  RANGE ROVER Fra
5 GROINE/NOGRETTE  MERCEDES  Fra
6 ZANIROLI/LEMOYNE  RANGE ROVER    Fra
7 DELEFORTERIE/DELEFORTERIE  TOYOTA  Fra
8 LAHAYE/COQUANT/GAEREMINCK  TOYOTA  Fra
9 BARRUEL/CEROU  MERCEDES  Fra
10 SIMONIN/KOROTKEVITCH  MERCEDES  Fra
11 TROSSAT/RICHARD  LADA  Fra
12 BIASINI/BIASINI  RANGE ROVER    Fra
13 RAYMONDIS/BOS  RANGE ROVER    Fra
14 TCHERNIAVSKY B./LASSEE  TOYOTA  Fra
15 GUERMONPREZ/MALARD  RANGE ROVER  Fra
16 LUC/ALESSANDRINI  CITROEN  Fra
17 VERGNAUD/PAGANELLI  MERCEDES    Fra
18 VILLETTE/GABRIELLE/VOILLEREAU  ALM/ACMAT  Fra
19 LEROUX/MASERATI  TOYOTA  Fra
20 PUREN/CHAPEL  RANGE ROVER  Fra
21 ROTHLISBERGER/UHLMANN  TOYOTA  Bel
22 HACQUIN/VANBERSY  TOYOTA  Fra
23 AUBRY/AUBRY  MERCEDES  Fra
24 BEINHAUER/POHL  PUNCH  All
25 Mmes DELANNOY/SACY  MERCEDES    Fra
26 HUGUENY/CARDINAEL/ALBERTO  TOYOTA  Fra
27 HOWARD/MILES  RANGE ROVER  GB
28 LEVAUFRE/JOSEPH  TOYOTA  Fra
29 BADION/PAWOE  MERCEDES  Fra
30 ROQUES/BOUSQUET  TOYOTA  Fra
31 CLATOT/DUHAMEL  PUNCH PINZGAUER  Fra
32 VOLABEL/VERSINO  MERCEDES  Fra
33 WAMBERGUE/BACHOLLE/BACHOLLE  PUNCH PINZGAUER    Fra
34 BRY/SALOU/PEU  FORD    Fra
35 MARCY/GUERIN  RANGE ROVER  Bel
36 DE PAOLI/BRESCIANI  RANGE ROVER  Fra
37 DUPARD/MATTEI  RANGE ROVER  Fra
38 LEVALLOIS/BOUCHER  LADA  Fra
39 CHAMPART/MARTINOT  MERCEDES    Fra
40 MALET/TRAININI  TOYOTA  Fra
41 CAZENAVE/LAURILLARD/SCHORP  RANGE ROVER  Fra
42 GROINE/DE SAULIEU/MALFERIOL  MERCEDES  Fra
43 GOUDOT/SUBTIL  LADA    Fra
44 CHAMBOLLE/KEOMURDJAN  TOYOTA     Fra
45 LACAZE/PAROT  CITROEN  Fra
46 VASSEUR/JAXEL  LAND ROVER  Fra
47 MAISSA/BOULADE  LAND ROVER  Fra
48 MARGUERON/MARTY/FASEL  TOYOTA  Fra
49 REVERBERI/FORLLAZ  DAIHATSU    Sui
50 DE CASANOVE/LOUE  MERCEDES  Fra
51 BERTRAND/TUMOINE  RANGE ROVER  Fra
52 TERRIER/MALATESTA/NUSSBAUM  TOYOTA  Fra
53 DUBOSCQ/DUBOSCQ  MAN    Fra
54 BLAQUIE/BARDET  UNIC PAC  Fra
55 SERET/BLOT/DELCAMBRE  RVI SMB  Fra
56 KUBOTA/ITO  TOYOTA    Jap
57 PECRIAUX/MARLIER  TOYOTA  Fra
58 AVOYNE/LANDAIS  LEYLAND MARATHON  Fra  
59 NEMOTO/YOKOTA/OGAKI  TOYOTA    Jap
60 LIECHTI/KOBEL/PROZ  MAN  Fra

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 AURIOL H.  BMW  Fra
2 BACOU S.  YAMAHA  Fra
3 MEREL M.  YAMAHA  Fra
4 FENOUIL  BMW  Fra
5 FRANCRU G.  KTM  Fra
6 PADOU A.  HONDA  Fra
7 NEIMER  BMW  Fra
8 VASSARD P.  HONDA  Fra
9 BECKER C.  YAMAHA  Fra
10 Mme MARTIN C.  HONDA  Fra
11 COURTOIS  YAMAHA  Fra
12 D'ABOVILLE N.  SUZUKI  Fra
13 LEBRUN G.  HONDA  Fra
14 BOISGONTIER D.  HONDA  Fra
15 LOIZEAUX R.  BMW  Fra
16 JOINEAU  SUZUKI  Fra
17 DESPAGNE J.L  YAMAHA  Fra
18 MAITROT J.  HONDA  Fra
19 Mme D. CORTANZE M.  YAMAHA  Fra
20 MORI H.  YAMAHA  Sui
21 GUILLET M.  HONDA  Fra
22 FURET C.  HONDA  Fra
23 PAINEAU  YAMAHA  Fra
24 VILSANGE O.  YAMAHA  Fra
25 NEVEU C.  HONDA  Fra
26 Mme ERTAUD M.  YAMAHA  Fra
27 JOUY T.  HONDA  Fra
28 LINCKE T.  YAMAHA  Sui
29 Mme N. MAITROT  HONDA  Fra
30 ROLLANO D.  SUZUKI  Fra
31 TISSIER  BOMCANAM Fra

1982

PARIS - ALGIERS - DAKAR

4 PARIS - ALGIERS - DAKAR
•    Start: 1 January 1982 from Paris
(Place de la Concorde)
•    Finish: 20 January 1982 in Dakar (Rose Lake)
•    Rest: 10 January 1982 at Gao
•    Length of rally: 10,000 km
•    Number of kilometers of specials: 5,963 km
•    Countries crossed: France, Algeria, Mali, Senegal

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS:
Claude Marreau/Bernard Marreau (Fra) RENAULT
OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS:
Cyril Neveu (Fra) HONDA
OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS:
Groine/De Saulieu/Malferiol (Fra) MERCEDES MAIN COMPETITORS
•    Mercedes : Groine-De Saulieu-Malferiole

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 385
- At the start:
233 cars 129 motorcycles 23 trucks
- At the finish:
dont
127 véhicles 94 cars 33 motorcycles
Motorcycle
3 teams officiels engagés
•    BMW : Auriol, Fenouil et Raymond Loizeaux
•    Yamaha : Bacou, Merel et Jean-paul Mingels
•    Honda:    Neveu,    Rigoni,    Desheulles,    Vassard    et
Drobeck
Non officiels
•    BMW : Breton
•    Yamaha : Tchiernavsky, Pineau, Albaret
•    Suzuki: Ph et M Joineau
Truck
•    DAF : De Rooy-Straftmans

Car
•    Rover Range : Zanirolli-Lemoyne, Metge-Giroux
•    Lada Niva : Briavoine-Deliaire
•    Mercedes 280 GE : Migault-Migault, Jaussaud-Briere,
Gaillard-Gauvin, Ickx-Brasseur
•    Renault 20 : les Freres Marreau
•    Buggy : Cotel-Corbetta, Sunhill-Vincent
•    Toyota Proto : Fougerousse-Nanouk

HIGHLIGHTS
The "Celebrity" Dakar: Claude Brasseur embarks on the journey for the second time. Swimmer Christine Caron also tries out the adventure, as well as skier Bernard Russi, world downhill champion in 1972. The presence of Mark Thatcher, son of the British Prime Minister, is also noteworthy.
Laffite and Dutronc: Jacques Laffite and Jacques Dutronc, Dakar enthusiasts, decided to sponsor their friends, diehard endurance athletes, Pierre Landereau and Raphaël de Montremy, who took off using a Yamaha 500 XT bike. Honda syndrome: Honda still has not managed to succeed in becoming an official force in Africa.
Christine, the desert's fiancée: Christine Martin, winner of the Ladies' Cup in 1981, puts her title on the line again this year. Three other women were to take off on motorcycles: Véronique Anquetil, Nicole Maitrot and Marie Ertaud.

THE ROUTE
Prologue a Olivet (4km)
Prologue a Sete (7,5 km)
1 étape : Alger - Ouled Djellal (liaison 470km)
2 étape : Ouled Djellal - Hassi Messaoud
Ouled Djellal-El Baadj (ss 64 km)
El Baadj-Touggourt (liaison)
Touggourt-Guerrara (ss 177 km)
Guerrara-Hassi Messaoud (liaison)
3 étape : Hassi Messaoud - 4 Chemins (liaison 414 km)
4 étape : 4 Chemins - Tit ( 568 km de spéciale)
5 étape : Tit - Timeaouine (538 km de spéciale)
6 étape : Timeaouine - Gao (740 km de spéciale) Repos a Gao
7 étape : Gao - Mopti (538 km de spéciale)
8 étape : Mopti - Gao (800 km de spéciale) Repos a Gao
9 étape : Gao - Tombouctou (424 km de spéciale)
10 étape : Tombouctou - Niono (558 km de spéciale)
11 étape : Niono - Nioro (517 km de spéciale)
12 étape : Nioro - Tambacounda
Nioro-Kayes (ss 260 km) Kayes-Kidira (ss 120 km) Kidira-Tambacounda (liaison)
13 étape : Tambacouda - Tiougoune
Tambacounda-Lour (ss 147 km) Lour-Dara (ss 159 km) Dara-Louga (ss 200 km) Louga-Tiougoune (liaison)
14 étape : Tiougoune - Dakar (100 km de spéciale)

THE RACE
•    Prologue at Olivet (4 km)
From the start of this 4th edition, Cyril Neveu sets the tone by dominating the prologue. In the car class, Touroul scores a win in his Peugeot. The prologue produces several victims and the first withdrawals are seen. The unlucky ones are Pascale Gheurie and Nicole Saint-Day. Their Renault 18 does not make it further than Etampes.
•    Prologue at Sete (7.5 km)
At Setes, Patrick Drobeck succeeds in his Honda 550 XR, as well as the Lartigue-Destaillats team in a Range Rover and Georges Groine in his Mercedes truck. They head to Africa with the lead, after the two French specials.
•    1st and 2nd stages: Algiers - Ouled Djellal - Hassi Messaoud
Ouled Djellal - El Baadj 64 km; a mini-stage with maximum trouble. The dust makes visibility difficult and passing all but impossible. Some competitors lose their way, and not just the novices: Desheulles, Briavoine and Metge lose respectively 30, 20 and five minutes. A smooth rolling special that makes a very happy man out of Auriol. The BMW rider takes the lead in the overall standings ahead of Joineau (Suzuki 500) and Bacou (Yamaha 500 XT). In the car class, Guégan (Mercedes 280 GE) finishes ahead of Lartigue (Range Rover) and Trossat (Lada Niva).
•    3rd and 4th stages: Hassi Messaoud - 4 Chemins - Tit
The days file by and are not all alike for Auriol. During the special (4 Chemins-In Ecker), "the white knight", despite having been the winner of the previous year's rally on this piste, perhaps lost it today after a problem with his gear box. The victors of the day on motorcycles are Vassard ahead of Rigoni and Schaecht. For the cars, the win goes to Cotel's buggy. The Marreau brothers are at the top of the overall standings.
•    5th stage: Tit - Timeaouine (538 km of special)
The Neveu family has cause for celebration. For the Tit - Timeaouine stage, Christophe dominates himself at the wheel of his Range Rover while Cyril proves to be the fastest on his bike, a Honda 550 XR. Ickx-Brasseur and Rigoni are the new leaders in their respective classes.
•    6th stage: Timeaouine - Gao (740 km of special)
Despite numberous road-book problems, the Marreau brothers and Rigoni are still at the top of the rally.
•    7th stage: Gao - Mopti (538 km of special)
A day of drama as one of the favorites leaves the race: Frenchman Hubert Auriol. A total failure for BMW, which decides to withdraw its two vehicles still in the race for safety reasons given the lack of spare gear boxes. Merel on his Yamaha XT 570 and Ickx at the wheel of his Mercedes 280 GE win the stage.
•    8th stage: Mopti - Gao (800 km of special)The Peugeot-Dangel No. 178 is no longer responding. Mark Thatcher and his teammate Charlotte Verney have disappeared. The disappearance of the son of the British Prime Minister causes considerable commotion. More fear was generated than harm done since the pair are found safe and sound three days later. However, their silence remains a mystery.

•    9th and 10th stages: Gao - Timbuktu - Niono
On a sandy piste, prisoner of the cacti, between Gao and Timbuktu, there is a true shake-up in the overall standings. Merel, riding his Yamaha, wins the scratch while Vassard and Rigoni, who reached the finish line backwards, are saddled with more than five penalty hours. In the car class, Ickx is the quickest, but the Marreau brothers, sixth in the special, are still in the lead.
•    11th and 12th stages: Niono - Nioro - Tambacounda
There are more changis in the overall rankings after this special linking Nioro to the Sahel. As Vassard is penalized and Mingels falls at Kilometer 23, Cyril Neveu moves to the head of operations. The Marreau and Metge-Giroux teams are spinning their wheels. Briavoine's Lada seizes the chance to win the stage.
•    13th stage: Tambacouda - Tiougoune
A stone's throw away from Dakar, spirits are broken, along with the body. The leaders take advantage of the fatigue to put the pedal to the metal.
•    14th stage: Tiougoune - Dakar (100 km of special)
Cyril Neveu posts his third victory in four appearances. The Marreau brothers, faithful among faithful since the first edition, carry it off in the car class. As for the trucks, Groine, De Saulieu and Malferiol cart off a victory at the wheel of their Mercedes.
•    Prologue a Olivet (4km)
Des le départ de cette 4eme édition, Cyril Neveu annonce la couleur en s'imposant lors du prologue. En auto, victoire de Touroul au volant de sa Peugeot. Le Prologue fait de nombreuses victimes et l’on assiste aux premiers abandons. Les malchanceuses s'appellent Pascale Gheurie et Nicole Saint-Jour. Leur Renault 18 ne dépasse pas Etampes.
•    Prologue a Sete (7,5 km)
A Setes, success de Patrick Drobeck sur sa Honda 550 XR, de l'équipage Lartigue-Destaillats au volant d'un Range Rover, et de Georges Groine sur son camion Mercedes. Ils embarquent en direction de l'Afrique en tete, apres les deux spéciales françaises.

•    Stage victories

Num    Etape
1 Olivet Prologue 4 Touroul/Grouvel Fra Peugeot
2 Sete Prologue 7,5 Lartigue/Destaillats Fra R Rover
3 Alger-Ouled Djellal Liaison 470 Neveu Fra Honda
4 Ouled Djellal-Hassi Messaoud Ouled Djellal-El Baadj 64 Guegan/Sarrazin Fra Mercedes Drobecq Fra    Honda
4 Ouled Djellal-Hassi Messaoud Touggourt-Guerrara 177 Elford/Beckers GB Subaru Joineau Fra Suzuki
5 Guerrara-Hassi-Messaoud Liaison 414 Bacou Fra Yamaha
6 Hassi Messaoud-4 chemins Liaison 568 Cotel/Corbetta Fra    Buggy Vassard Fra Honda
7 Quatre chemins-Tit Quatre chemins -I n Ecker 538 Neveu/Texetra Fra R Rover Neveu Fra Honda  
8 Tit-Timeaouine Tit-Timeaouine 740 Gaillard/Gauvais Fra Mercedes Verley Fra Barigo
9 Timeaouine-Gao Timeaouine-Gao 538 Ickx/Brasseur Bel Mercedes Merel Fra Yamaha
10 Gao-Mopti Gao-Mopti 800    Ickx/Brasseur Bel Mercedes Merel Fra Yamaha
11 Mopti-Gao Mopti-Gao 424    Ickx/Brasseur Bel Mercedes Merel Fra Yamaha
12 Gao-Tombouctou Gao-Tombouctou 558 Ickx/Brasseur Bel Mercedes Neveu Fra Honda
13 Tombouctou-Niono Tombouctou-Niono 517 Briavoine/Deliaire Fra Lada Alba ret Fra Yamaha
14 Niono-Nioro du Sahel Niono-Nioro du Sahel 260 Jaussaud/Briere Fra Mercedes Barat Fra Honda
15 Nioro du Sahel-Tambacounda Nioro du Sahel-Kayes 120 Ickx/Brasseur Bel Mercedes Alba ret    Fra Yamaha
15 Nioro du Sahel-Tambacounda Kayes-Kidira 147 Briavoine/Deliaire Fra Lada Kirkpatrick Bel    Yamaha
16 Tambacounda-Tiougoune Tambacounda-Lour 159 Simbille/Simbille Fra Mercedes Joineau Fra Suzuki
16 Tambacounda-Tiougoune Lour-Dara 200 Ickx/Brasseur Bel Mercedes Merel Fra Yamaha
16 Tambacounda-Tiougoune Dara-Louga 100 Ickx-Brasseur Bel    Mercedes Neveu    Fra Honda
17 Tiougoune-Dakar Tiougoune-Dakar

OVERALL CAR-TRUCK STANDINGS
1 MARREAU B./MARREAU C. R20 Fra
2 BRIAVOINE J.C./DELIATRE A. LADA Fra
3 JAUSSAUD J.P./BRIERE M. MERCEDES Fra
4 LARTIGUE P./DESTAILLATS RANGE ROVER Fra
5 ICKX Jacky/BRASSEUR C. MERCEDES Bel
6 DEBUSSY/BERTRANNE R. MERCEDES Fra
7 ZANIROLI/LEMOYNE RANGE ROVER Fra
8 SIMBILLE M./SIMBILLE A. MERCEDES Fra
9 SCHACHENMANN/POUGET J.M. TOYOTA Sui
10 PLANSON G./BERRY C. MERCEDES Fra
11 SIMON J.P./BALDI C. RANGE ROVER Fra
12 DELEFORTERIE/DELEFORTERIE LIMOUX TOYO Fra
13 LE GLUHER C./TERRIEN J. RANGE ROVER Fra
14 COURTOIS C./CAZALIERES O. MERCEDES Fra
15 MIGAULT F./MIGAULT I. MERCEDES Fra
16 COSTA A./EMPTAS RANGE ROVER Fra
17 VAILS G./CHANTEUX J.M. R20 Fra
18 DE PAOLI/LAVAGNAT/BONESCHI RANGE ROVER Ita
19 TOCCI/FUCCI FIAT Ita
20 TCHERNIAVSKY/LASSE A. VW ILTIS Fra
21 HACOUIN G./LACOMBLEZ F. RANGE ROVER Bel
22 BOSTEELS S./VANESLANDE A. TOYOTA Fra
23 VOLABEL M./DA SILVA J. MERCEDES Fra
24 RUGA S./TRENOY J. MERCEDES Fra
25 BARRUFI C./MAGNE H. MERCEDES Fra
26 LERIET C./BOUCHOU J.C. MERCEDES Fra
27 RIGAL H./ROCHETTE D. RANGE ROVER Fra
28 MARTIN/DUMONT MERCEDES Bel
29 VASSEUR G./DERBOIS A. TOYOTA    Fra
30 NEVEU J./TEXETRA RANGE ROVER Fra
31 ANDREOLI J.C./JAXEL M. TOYOTA Fra
32 PITOUT G./SNOECK J.M. RANGE ROVER Fra
33 ROCQUES C./BOUSQUET G. TOYOTA Fra
34 KUBOTA M./UCHIDA M. TOYOTA Jap
35 SACY B./CARON C. RANGE ROVER Fra
36 FERNANDEZ J./TEZEKDJIAN RANGE ROVER Fra
37 VERMEESCH/CASTELFIN/DELFF MERCEDES Bel
38 GROTNE/DE SAULIEU/MALFERI MERCEDES Fra
39 ARNOUX C./GEAY M. BUGGY Fra
40 ROBERT J.F./BOUTONNET M. RANGE ROVER Fra
41 DE MONTCORGE/PELLETIER J.C. MERCEDES Fra
42 GILFRICHE A.J./GAZEL A. VW ILTIS Fra
43 FIRAS R./CHAMBERT J. TOYOTA    Fra
44 CAZENAVE/MAH/GAUTHIER D. TOYOTA Fra
45 MEGRE José/ROMAO M. UMM Por
46 CORTEZ P./MIRANDA J. UMM Por
47 WAMBERGUE D./BACHOLLE PINZGAUER Fra
48 COTEL H./CORBETTA C. PRV BUGGY Fra
49 MARTY D./CAZALOT M. PEUGEOT    Fra
50 LESTRADE M./DUREDAT J.C. TOYOTA Fra
51 VERMER J.P./LAMBOT P. MERCEDES Bel
52 MISSILIEZ H./GROB F. DAIHATSU Sui
53 MARTIN M./SIX P. TOYOTA Fra MERCEDES Bel
54 MONDRON J.P./EYCKMANS J. TOYOTA Fra
55 BARD A./PASCAL B. MERCEDES Fra
56 LALEU P./LANGLOIS B. PINZGAUER Fra
57 CHEVALLIER A./BONVALLET J. TOYOTA Fra
58 HUGUENY/CARDINAEL/GAFREMI TOYOTA Bel
59 BORSU J./VAN TICHELEN RANGE ROVER Fra
60 RAVEZ J.C./PLATEL J.F. TOYOTA Fra
61 PUYTORAC/FREYNE/DUPOUY RANGE ROVER Fra
62 KERC A./YDRAUD J.P. TOYOTA Fra
63 LEVAUFRE M./JOSEPH J.P. TOYOTA Fra
64 BOSTEELS/VER/DELAPLANCHE PINZGAUER Fra
65 CLATOT J./CHATARD A. DAIHATSU Sui
66 ECUYER/SUTTER P. DAF Hol
67 DE ROOY J./STRAFTMANS G. MERCEDES Fra
68 BRIERE/MORAULT TOYOTA Fra
69 MICHEL/LYPO/PRECRIAUX MERCEDES Fra
70 GOUTALAND S./VACHER/SAGON TOYOTA Fra
71 DELOREL/JALLON/ROLLET TOYOTA    Jap
72 NEMOTO/MATSUMAF/BATIFOULI PINZGAUER Fra
73 SELLIER J.P./GANFRIEN P. MERCEDES Fra
74 CHAMPART J.L./CHARUIT H. TOYOTA Fra
75 FONDRILLON D./POUPET C. RANGE ROVER Fra
76 BLANC M./BLANC A. PINZGAUER Fra
77 BARRAL G./COFURET P. ACMAT Fra
78 HERVE C./GARCIA J.C. RANGE ROVER Fra
79 LAURILLARD M./CHERY J.M. TOYOTA Fra
80 BOESTEL P.J./CHARDRONNET LAND ROVER Fra
81 GAUTTER/LILLE LAND ROVER Fra
82 RIVAL DE ROU/VICTOUROU J.C. TOYOTA Fra
83 LEPELTTER R./MEULLENET A. PINZGAUER Fra
84 MARTINEZ F./OLIGO J.P. MERCEDES Fra
85 REFUVEILLE/DENARNAUD TOYOTA    Fra
86 AVOYNE J.C./LANDAIS LEYLAND MAR Fra
87 LANGLOIS R./BERTRAND G. RANGE ROVER Fra
88 VERMEULEN/HOOGERS/HUTCHIN TOYOTA Hol
89 ROLLAND/LORGET/LUTUN UNIC MARMON Fra
90 AMADO T./VILLAS/BOAS UMM Por
91 RUSSI B./SIMONETTI C. SURARH Sui
92 BOULARD/GEORGET/LORTIE TOYOTA Fra
93 LAZCAVO/DELVAL IVECO FIAT Esp
94 BAILLET/FERRAZ/BRANCHE VOLVO Fra

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 NEVEU Cyril Fra HONDA
2 VASSARD Philippe Fra HONDA  
3 VERHAEGUE Grégoire Fra BARIGO  
4 ALBARET Guy Fra YAMAHA  
5 MEREL Michel Fra YAMAHA  
6 CHABANETTE Daniel Fra HVA
7 RIGONI Bernard Fra HONDA
8 CHARBONNIER Thierry Fra HVA
9 BOISSONNADE Alain Fra HVA
10 KIRKPATRICK Olivier Bel YAMAHA  
11 BARAT Jacky Fra HONDA  
12 LEBRUN Gilbert  Fra HONDA  
13 DESHEULLES Gilles Fra HONDA  
14 MAITROT Nicole Fra HONDA
15 KNUIMAN Hendrikus Fra YAMAHA
16 MAXIMOVITCH JOINEAU Hol HVA  
17 Marc SHINJI Kazama Fra SUZUKI  
18 DAYSSIOLS Alain Fra SUZUKI   
19 CORNEVAUX François Fra HVA  
20 GUYAU Gilles Jap YAMAHA  
21 GUILLET Michel Fra HONDA  
22 FLEUW Alain Fra HONDA  
23 STAMAN Johan Fra YAMAHA  
24 MAITROT Jacques Fra YAMAHA
26 WESTERBAAN Maus Hol YAMAHA
27 DE BAVINCHOVE Olivier Fra HVA
28 ERTAUD Marie Fra YAMAHA
29 HAUG-PESCHEL All ROTH-EML
30 PAINEAU Gérard Fra YAMAHA    
31 SPIRA Alain Bel YAMAHA    
32 PESCHEUR Daniel Fra HONDA    
33 LE BOUDON Gilbert Fra YAMAHA

1983
PARIS - ALGIERS - DAKAR

5em PARIS -ALGIERS - DAKAR
•    Start: 1 January 1983 from Paris
(Place de la Concorde)
•    Finish: 20 January 1983 a Dakar (Rose Lake)
•    Rest: No rest day
•    Length of rally: 12,000 km
•    Number of kilometers of specials: 5,210 km
•    Countries crossed: France, Algeria, Niger, Upper
Volta, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 385
At the start:      253 cars/trucks
132 motorcycles
At the finish:    123 véhicles
including     94 cars/trucks 29 motorcycles

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS:
Ickx/Brasseur (Bel/Fra) MERCEDES
OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS:
Hubert Auriol (Fra) BMW
OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS:
Groine/De Saulieu/Malferiol (Fra) MERCEDES

MAIN COMPETITORS
Motorcycle
3 teams officiels engagés
•    Yamaha:   Jean-Noël   Pineau,   Michel   Merel,   Jean-
Claude Olivier, Serge Bacou
•    Honda:    Cyril   Neveu,   Gilles   Desheulles,    Bernard
Rigoni, Patrick Drobecq et Philippe Vassard
•    BMW:   Gaston   Rahier,   Hubert   Auriol,   Fenouil   et
Raymond Loizeaux
Car
•    Mercedes   280   GE:   Ickx-Brasseur   Migault-Gauvain
Jaussaud-Da Silva
•    Renault 18 : les Freres Marreau
•    Buggy Sunhill: ERG Sunhill
•    Citroën CX : Wambergue-Bacholle
•    Datsun Patrol: Darniche-Giroux
•    Mitsubishi Pajero : Cowan-Malkin
•    Range Rover: Metge-Gillot, Debussy-Delaval, Zaniroli-
Cornut, Lartigue-Destaillats
•    Lada Poch : Briavoine-Deliaire, Trossat-Briavoine
•    Buggy Cotel PRV : Cotel-Préhu
Truck
Groine-De Saulieu-Malfériol,
•    Mercedes 1936 AK
Martinez-Langlois

HIGHLIGHTS
Auriol's challenge: the 1981 champion still had his arm in a cast on 13 December, after an accident during recon expeditions with the BMW team. Nevertheless, he will be on his mark on 1 January 1983.
And for 600 francs more: there was an individual insurance problem when he entered Algeria. It would be settled by the payment of an additional fee of 600 F by all the competitors.
Balavoine as headliner: singer Daniel Balavoine heads out for his first Dakar odyssey. He takes his place behind the wheel of a Datsun just like Bernard Darniche and Sophie Telliez, a finalist in the 100 meter spring during the Mexico City Olympic Games and an eight-time French champion.
The Marreaus in Renault: after the Renault 4 and the Renault 20, the Marreau brothers are once again loyal to the French maker. This year they will set out with an R18 4x4.

No rest for the prisoners of the desert: no day of rest was scheduled for this edition. Nevertheless, a violent sandstorm caused the cancellation of several specials. In all, there will be three days of forced rest.

THE ROUTE

Prologue a Gremuses (3,6 km)

Prologue aux Guarrigues (10 km)

1 étape : Alger - Touggourt (liaison 771 km)

2 étape : Touggourt - Ouargla (171 km de spéciale)

3 étape : Ouargla - Chebaba (442 km dont 239 km de spéciale)

4 étape : Chebaba - Bordj Omar Driss (459 km dont 429 km de spéciale)

5 étape : Bordj Omar Driss - Illizi (320 km de spéciale)

6 étape : lizy - Djanet (401 km de spéciale)

7 étape : Djanet - Chirfa (532 km de spéciale)

8 étape : Chirfa - Dirkou (240 km de spéciale)

9 étape : Dirkou - Agadez (617 km de spéciale)

10 étape : Agadez - In Gall (115 km de spéciale) En raison d'une tempete de sable, convoi jusqu'a Nara

11 étape : Nara - Timbreda (162 km de spéciale)

12 étape : Timbreda - Kiffa (liaison)

13 étape : Kiffa - Kaedi (307 km de spéciale)

14 étape : Kaedi - Tiougoune (470 km dont 370 km de spéciale)

15 étape : Tiougoune - Dakar (130 km de spéciale)

THE RACE
•    Prologue at Gremuses and at Les Guarrigues
It is now a habit, the Dakar pauses for two stops in France before departing for Algiers where the serious competition gets under way. A poor start for Martine de Cortanze, whose Lada suffers an electrical breakdown. Excluding time setbacks, she is sacked with more than 15 penalty hours. As the race heads toward Africa, Lartigue and Bacou hold the lead in their respective classes.
•    1st and 2nd stages: Algiers - Touggourt - Ouargla
During the rally's first African special between Touggourt and Guerrara, Belgian driver Gaston Rahier of BMW pulls off the scratch. Rahier is successful ahead of Bacou's Yamaha and Vassard's Honda. In the car class, Jacky Ickx celebrates, but Lartigue maintains the overall lead.
•    3rd stage: Ouargla - Chebaba (442 km, including 239 km of special)
During the special between Ouargla and El Golea, Vassard gets the best of Rahier. The cars are all Mercedes as Ickx edges out his teammate Jaussaud.
•    4th stage: Chebaba - Bordj Omar Driss (459 km, including 429 km of special)
During the Chebaba-Hassibel Ghebbour special, Jacky Ickx is once again unbeatable and blazes ahead even faster than the motorcycles. In fact, for the first time since the start of the race, three cars finish before the first motorcycle. The problems of the Marreau brothers are piling up. After the 2.5 hour penalty imposed during the Ouargla-El Golea special, they run out of gas, which buries them a little deeper. Also noteworthy: the withdrawal of Gaston Rahier because of a crankcase problem. Honda is faring well and propels two drivers to the podium for this special. A dual victory for Vassard, who wins ahead of Auriol and Rigoni. He moves into the overall lead. A cursed day for women with the withdrawals of Martine de Cortanze and Corinne Koppenhague.
•    5th and 6th stages: Bordj Omar Driss - Illizi - Djanet
Between Bordj-Omar-Driss and Illizi, then between Illizi and Djanet, Hubert Auriol wins two stages back-to-back and closes in on Vassard in the overall rankings. Jacky Ickx and René Metge continue to set a breakneck pace.
•    7th stage: Djanet - Chirfa (532 km of special)
Upon arriving in Chirfa, it's the status quo on the leader board. Another victory for Auriol who finishes 15 minutes before Neveu. A third success for the Frenchman and a fourth for the German maker. And yet it is a difficult stage. Lost competitors, cancelled inspection, domino-effect falls...the discovery of the Ténéré was certainly eventful. And it has only just begun...
•    8th and 9th stages: Chirfa - Dirkou - Agadez
Two special are on the menu with a wave of panic and a sand storm blowing across the Ténéré and the Dakar rally. Marc Joineau on his Suzuki outfoxes the storm and wins the scratch after having spent more than eight hours in the saddle. Behind him, though Auriol, who finished sixth 20 minutes later, limits the damage, Merel and Rigoni withdraw. Philippe Vassard and Gilles Desheulles are far, very far. Same shake-up in the car class. The crowd expected Trossat, who was charging ahead half¬way through, but the stage is eventually won by Metge, who finishes before Ickx. The Lada ridden by Trossat-Briavoine, who had hopes of taking the overall lead, suffered from an oil leak and three flat tires in the second part of the special. At the end of the day, there are still many vehicles that are not answering roll call.
•    10th stage: Agadez - In Gall (115 km of special)
Because the time could not be measured for the first motorcycles because of the lack of an official at the finish line, the stage
was cancelled for 54 motorcycles. The automobile ranking is a classic in the category, with Trossat finishing ahead of Ickx and
Metge.
Concern mounts as to the status of the competitors scattered in the Ténéré from whom no signs of life have been received. This
is how Desheulles and Vassards came to walk for four days before being recovered by Thierry Sabine.

•    11th stage: Nara - Timbreda (162 km of special)
The race continues. 64 of the 213 cars and 29 of the 132 motorcycles at the start are still in the race. On his bike, Bacou finishes ahead of Joineau and Dobrecq. As for the Marreau brothers, they are dominating the car specials, ahead of Metge and Trossat, who are tied. Auriol and Ickx share a common destiny: both of them finish the special in seventh and own the lead in the overall standings.
•    12th and 13th stages: Timbreda - Kiffa - Kaedi
Trossat once again rides his Lada to victory. In the motorcycle class, Drobecq has not stopped chippinng a way at Auriol's time, which has brought him to within 20 minutes of the BMW driver.
•    14th stage: Kaedi - Tiougoune (470 km, including 370 km of special)
This special is the last one that affords an opportunity to overturn the establish hierarchy. But the suspense is short-lived. For the motorcycles, the duel finally looks to be to Auriol's advantage, who finishes third after Verhaeghe and Bacou. In the car category, Ickx, who is also third after Trossat and Metge, is now protected from any bad surprises.
•    15th stage: Tiougoune - Dakar (130 km of special)
Final sprint between Tiougoune and Yoll, with a double finish for BMW: Fenouil finishes ahead of Loizeaux. Auriol, 9th in the special, wins his second Dakar affter 1981. As for the cars, the scratch was won by the Marreau brothers, but the rally is won by the Ickx-Brasseur team. In the truck class, Groine posts his second consecutive success.

•    Stage victories                                

1 Gremuses Prologue 3,6    Trossat/Briavoine Fra Lada Bacou Fra Yamaha
2 Les Guarrigues Prologue 10 Lartigue/Destaillats Fra R Rover Drobecq Fra Honda
3 Alger- Touggourt Liaison 771                        
4 Touggourt-Ouargla Touggourt - Guerrara 171 Ickx/Brasseur Bel Mercedes    Rahier Bel BMW
5 Ouargla-Chebaba Ouargla-El Golea 239 Ickx/Brasseur Bel Mercedes Vassard Fra Honda
6 Chebaba - Bordj Omar Driss Chebaba-Hassi Bel Gebbour 429 Ickx/Brasseur Bel Mercedes Vassard Fra Honda
7 Bordj Omar Driss-lllizi Bordj Omar Driss - Illizi 320    Ickx/Brasseur Bel Mercedes Auriol Fra BMW
8 Illizi-Djanet    Illizi-Djanet 401 Metge/Gillot Fra R Rover Auriol Fra BMW
9 Djanet-Chirfa    Djanet-Chirfa 532 Trossat/Briavoine Fra    Lada Auriol Fra    BMW
10 Chirfa-Dirkou Chirfa-Dirkou 532 Ickx/Brasseur Bel Mercedes Auriol Fra BMW
11 Dirkou-Agadez Dirkou-Agadez 617 Metge/Gillot    Fra R Rover Joineau Fra    Suzuki
12 Agadez-ln Gall Agadez-In Gall 115 Trossat/Briavoine Fra Lada    Annulée        
13 Nara-Timbreda Nara-Timbreda 162 Marreau/Marreau Fra Renault Bacou Fra Yamaha
14 Timbreda-Kiffa  Liaison                            
15 Kiffa-Kaedi    Kiffa-Kaedi 307    Trossat/Briavoine Fra Lada Drobecq Fra Honda
16 Kaedi-Tiougoune Kaedi-Tiougoune 470 Trossat/Briavoine Fra Lada Verhaeghe Fra Barigo
17 Tiougoune-Dakar Tiougoune-Dakar 130 Marreau/Marreau Fra Renault Fenouil Fra BMW

OVERALL CAR-TRUCK STANDINGS
1 ICKX/BRASSEUR    MERCEDES Bel    
2 TROSSAT/BRIAVOINE LADA Fra    
3 LARTIGUE/DESTAILLATS RANGE ROVER Fra    
4 SARRAZIN/BOUILLE RANGE ROVER Fra    
5 SIMBILLE/SIMBILLE MERCEDES Fra    
6 COLSOUL/LOPES    MERCEDES Bel    
7 RATE/JACQUEMARD TOYOTA Fra    
8 PLANSON/PLANSON MERCEDES Fra    
9 MARREAU/MARREAU RENAULT Fra    
10 KURRER/ZANONE PORTARO Fra    
11 COWAN/MALKIN    MITSUBISHI GB    
12 KORO/KORO MERCEDES Fra    
13 COSTA/FONTENAY MERCEDES Fra            
14 DEBUSSY/DELAVAL MITSUBISHI Fra            
15 CAZALLIERES/COURTOIS    MERCEDES Fra            
16 CHAMBERT/ETRAS TOYOTA Fra            
17 LEGRAND/SOULILAC MERCEDES Fra    
18 DUPARD/MATTEI RANGE ROVER Fra    
19 GROINE/DE SAULIEU/MALFERI MERCEDES Fra    
20 HENRIKSSON/BERNHARDSSON VOLVO Sue    
21 MITATY/DELETANG MERCEDES Fra          
22 JEANSON/THOMAS RANGE ROVER Fra    
23 JAXEL/COULON    TOYOTA Fra    
24 FRANCHESCHI/VAUTHRON    RANGE ROVER Fra    
25 POCHAT/MOGLI    MERCEDES Fra    
26 ROBERT/BOUTONNET RANGE ROVER    Fra    
27 IMBERT/BEAUJEAN TOYOTA Fra    
28 BECKERS/VERMEERSCH TOYOTA Bel    
29 LESTRADE/GALINIER MERCEDES Fra    
30 MAINGRET/BLIN MITSUBISHI Fra         
31 BEINHAUER/POHL/SCHENCK PUCH All    
32 FARAT/URBIHA    TOYOTA Fra    
33 LACAZE/VECCHINI TOYOTA Fra    
34 DE ROOY/ROGGENBAND/PERRY DAF    Hol    
35 ARNOUX/GUILLARD BUGGY Fra    
36 BRIAVOINE/DELIAIRE LADA Fra    
37 FOUGEROUSSE/NOQUET TOYOTA Fra    
38 DELANNOY/DELANNOY VW ILTIS Fra    
39 GUARATO/SMULEVICI PEUGEOT Fra    
40 CHAMPART/BOURGEOIS MERCEDES Fra    
41 REVERBERI/ECUYER DAIHATSU Sui    
42 CORTEZ/TEXEIRA GOM UMM Por         
43 LEMORDANT/CAPOLONGO RANGE ROVER Fra    
44 ROUSSEAU/LACROIX TOYOTA Fra    
45 TONNELINE/PLANTE PEUGEOT Fra
46 DAUSSY/ELBY TOYOTA Fra
47 MEGRE/AMARAL    UMM Por
48 AVOYNE/DELBLANDRE MAN Fra
49 MARTINS/BEBIARD TOYOTA Fra
50 THOMASSE/DESSOUDE DATSUN Fra
51 MARTINEZ/LANGLOIS MERCEDES Fra
52 GUERMONPREZ/DAMEZ DATSUN Fra
53 THENOUX/DUVOY COURNIL Fra
54 SALOU/BARAZER/NOLA MERCEDES Fra
55 HUGUENY/HUGENY/GONI TOYOTA Fra
56 GUILLOU/BOCHET TOYOTA Fra
57 RAVEZ/PLATEL TOYOTA Fra
58 FRUMOLTZ/MARIE FAURE    RENAULT    Fra
59 PASTUREL/BOUIN DATSUN Fra
60 ROL/TASSIN/HELIO MAN    Fra
61 CARDOSO/ALVEZ/BARBOS    UMM Por
62 RODRIGUEZ/ROSA/MARQUES UMM Por

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 AURIOL Hubert    BMW Fra
2 DROBECQ Patrick HONDA    Fra
3 JOINEAU Marc SUZUKI Fra
4 KIRPATRICK Olivier YAMAHA Bel
5 BACOU Serge YAMAHA Fra
6 SPIRA Alain HONDA Bel
7 OLIVIER J.Claude YAMAHA Fra
8 KIES Anne YAMAHA Hol
9 FENOUIL Georges BMW Fra
10 NEVEU Cyril HONDA Fra
11 VERHAEGHE Grégoire BAR I GO    Fra
12 DREYFUS Guy BAR I GO    Fra
13 LOUP J. Jacques KTM GS Sui
14 LOIZEAUX Raymond BMW    Fra
15 ERTAUD Marie    YAMAHA    Fra
16 FIEW Alain YAMAHA Bel
17 POLI Pierre-Marie KTM Fra
18 KUBICEK Mirek KTM Sui
19 LEBRUN Gilbert HONDA    Fra
20 MAITROT Nicole HONDA    Fra
21 PESCHEUR Daniel HONDA Fra
22 AURIBAULT Philippe HONDA Fra
23 PAINEAU Gérard YAMAHA Fra
24 BALESTRIERI Andrea YAMAHA Ita
25 RENDERS/VEREOVEN SUZUKI Bel
26 DELACOMBAZ Urbain KTM Sui
27 SUARDET Pascal KTM Sui
28 RACINE Yves KTM Sui

1984

PARIS - ALGIERS - DAKAR

6em PARIS -ALGIERS - DAKAR
•    Start: 1 January 1984 from Paris
(Place de la Concorde)
•    Finish: 20 January 1984 a Dakar (Rose Lake)
•    Rest: No rest day
•    Length of rally: 12,000 km
•    Number of kilometers from special: 5,882 km
•    Countries crossed:  France, Algeria, Niger, Upper
Volta, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Senegal

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 427
-    At the start:      313 cars/trucks
114 motorcycles
-    At the finish:    148 véhicles
including     98 cars/trucks 50 motorcycles

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS:
Metge/Lemoyne (Fra) PORSCHE 911
OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS:
Gaston Rahier (Bel) BMW
OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS:
Lalleu/Durce (Fra) MERCEDES

MAJOR COMPETITORS
Motorcycle
•    Yamaha : Bacou, Olivier, Vimond
•    Honda : Vassard, Drobecq, Neveu, Joineau Marc,
Merel
•    BMW : Rahier, Auriol, Loizeaux
•    KTM : De Pétri
Car
•    Lada Poch 2121 : Darniche-Giroux, Trossat-Briavoine,
Lartigue-Djaoui
•    Citroën proto : Wambergue-Bacholle
•    Buggy Cotel: Cotel-Delefortri
•    Lada 4x4 : Jabouille-Sardou
•    Porsche 911 : Metge-Lemoine, Ickx-Brasseur
•    Rover Range : Zaniroli-Da Silva, Gabreau-Gabbay
•    Mercedes 280 GE : Jaussaud-Fontenay
•    Renault 18 proto : les Freres Marreau
•    Mitsubishi Pajero : Cowan-Syer, Rigal-Fourticq
Truck
•    Mercedes : Lalleu-Durce

HIGHLIGHTS
•    Jabouille teams up with Sardou: driver Jean-Pierre Jabouille and singer Michel Sardou will be on a Lada Niva.
•    The Dakar shoots for the moon: astronaut Jean-Loup Chrétien and veteran Georges Houel will leave in a Renault Fuego
4x4.
•    Ride the merry-go-round: TF1 TV personality Evelyne Dheliat is to assist Marianne Hoepner in a Fiat Panda 4x4.
•    Place your bets: André Théron and Philippe Bourgeat will line up in a makeshift Toyota 4x4.

•    "Jules II, the return": Thierry de Montcorgé is a stand-out once again. After a Rolls Royce in 1981, now he is taking off at
the wheel of a strange, never-before-seen six-wheel drive vehicle, a sort of F1 for the desert.
•    Vimond on the Dakar: arrival of the young Jacky Vimond, a motocross genius, at Yamaha.
•    Sabine Top Secret: Thierry Sabine harbors some doubts. Some sectors are kept secrit to prevent the major manufacturers
from performing recon missions.
•    90 kg for both of them: the lightest team in the rally is composed of Monique Delannoy (1st woman in a four-wheeled
vehicle in 1981) and Nicole Maitrot (on two wheels in 1982). They will compete at the controls of a Mitsubishi Pajero in the
Marathon category. Together, they weigh just 90 kg. 21 rallies between the three of them: bikers Gilles Desheulles, Philippe Vassard and Fenouil count 21 African rallies
amongst themselves.
France deprived of a special: the prologue, which was to take place at Vincennes, is replaced by a parade of competitors

THE ROUTE
1 étape : Paris - Alger - El Golea (liaison 925 km)
2 étape : El Golea - In Salah (500 km dont 297 km de spéciale)
3 étape : In Salah - Tamanrasset (666 km dont 202 km de spéciale)
4 étape : Tamanrasset - Iferouane (600 km dont 250 km de spéciale)
5 étape : Iferouane - Chirfa (559 km de spéciale)
6 étape : Chirfa - Dirkou (238 km de spéciale)
7 étape : Dirkou - Agadez (617 km de spéciale)
8 étape : Agadez - Niamey (848 km dont 200 km de spéciale)
9 étape : Niamey - Ouagadougou (ss 674 km)
10 étape : Ouagadougou - Bouna (553 km dont 430 km de spéciale)     
11 étape : Bouna - Yamoussoukro (673 km dont 312 km de spéciale)
12 étape : Yamoussoukro - Touba (343 km dont 215 km de spéciale)
13 etape : Touba - Kissidougou (523 km de spéciale)
14 étape : Kissidougou - Freetown (581 km de spéciale)
15 étape : Freetown - Labe (liaison 647 km)
16 étape : Labe - Tambacounda (457 km) Labe-Kedougou (221 km de spéciale) Kedougou-Dialakoto (166 km de spéciale)
17 etape : Dialakoto-Tambacounda (liaison 70 km)
18 étape : Tambacounda - Sali Portudal (408 km dont 101 km de spéciale)     
19 étape : Sali Portudal - Dakar (168 km) Sali Portudal-Thies (43 km de spéciale) Thies-M'Boro (25 km de spéciale) M'Boro-Dakar (100 km de spéciale)

THE RACE

• 1 stage: Paris - Algiers - El Golea
436 vehicles depart from the Place de la Concorde, before a crowd of 30,000 spectators. They head for Vincennes, where the prologue takes the form of a parade rather than a time trial. A scare for Jabouille and Sardou: their support Leyland 6x6 takes a spill near Vierzon.
• 2 stage: In Salah (500km dont 297 km of special)
The first special between Chebaba and In Salah unfolds on pebble-strewn terrain. Between the withdrawals and the disqualifications, 19 competitors have already abandoned the rally before this special. Among them is astronaut Jean-Loup Chrétien, who is deprived of his support truck. Flat tire for Ickx, oil leak for Auriol, disqualification for Darniche...the favorites have a dark day. Gabreau manages the win ahead of Lartigue and Metge while on his motorcycle, Drobecq wins the scratch ahead of Vimond and Joineau.
• 3 stage: In Salah - Tamanrasset (666 km, including 202 km of special)
In this special routed through the gorges of the Arak and won by Lartigue, Ickx burns an electric beam on his Porsche and sees any chance of an ultimate victory go up in smoke. In the motorcycle class, Bacou is the fastest ahead of Rahier and Vimond. Drobecq, the winner of the previous day's special, has broken his engine.
• 4 stage: Tamanrasset - Iferouane (600 km, including 250 km of special)
For this third special, Porsche hits a double. Ickx and Metge are the swiftest. Trossat makes a strong showing to place his Lada ahead of the third Porsche driven by Kussmaul. The German maker also has a strong finish: Metge takes the overall lead. Germany garners acclaim because on the motorcycle brand, the over-the-Rhine maker scores win, place and show with the consecutive arrival of Rahier, Auriol and Loizeaux. A mechanical problem on Vimond's Yamaha costs him the top spot in the overall standings, which goes to Belgium's Gaston Rahier.
• 5 and 6 stages: Iferouane - Chirfa - Dirkou
Like in 1983, the ocean of sand of the Ténéré will once again solidify Germany's hegemony. Lost the day before, Gaston Rahier is the first to arrive in Dirkou. Véronique Anquetil, riding her Yamaha bike, achieves an excellent mark at fourth place. Poli rounds out the concentrated shots fired by Yamaha. Rankings for motorcycle riders are far more incertain than in the car standings, where Porsche, with Ickx and Metge, looks unbeatable. They post two victories between Iferouane and Chirfa then between Chirfa and Dirkou. As for the German stable, it hits a double and a triple.
• 7 stage: Dirkou - Agadez (617 km of special)
In a Ténéré that proves to be less hostile and more cooperative than during the 1983 edition, a slight wind gives winges to BMW and Porsche, which achieve stupendous hat tricks between Dirkou and Agadez. Auriol bests Rahier and Loizeaux while Ickx finishes ahead of Metge and Kussmaul for the cars. Fourth win in a row for Ickx, who continues to climb back up throught he overall standings. He is now sitting in 10th place.
• 8 stage: Agadez - Niamey (848 km, including 200 km special)
After the long crossing of the Ténéré, Tahoua-Talchot, the competitors must confront a special where soft sand is king. Ickx strays from the road, which costs the Belgian three hours and robs him of any hopes for an overall win. However, all is well for Metge, who carries the scratch and strengthens his position in the top spot. With a lag of less than 20 minutes, Auriol is now hot on the heels of Rahier in the overall rankings.
• 9 stage: Niamey - Ouagadougou (ss 674 km)
The Dakar caravan leaves Niger for Upper Volta. During the liaison stage, all the leaders flirt with disaster. Rahier, Auriol then Metge run into cows. Because of the ins and outs of penalties, it is Philippe Vassard who inherits the best motorcycle time. But the day is also marred by problems with formalities in the middle of the special at the customs check on the Niger - Upper Volta border. It is a true rat race and some drivers, such as Cowan, run the stop sign at the border with no scruples. Thierry Sabine decides to quite simply cancel the special.
• 10 stage: Ouagadougou - Bouna (553 km, including 430 km of special)
As a result of this cancellation, the day's stage is transformed into a 430-km special between Ouagadougou and Kampi. And another triple feat for BMW is on order for bikes (Auriol wins). In the overall standings, Rahier is still above Auriol and Vassard. In the car class, Trossat-Briavoine are the fastest, but it is still Metge who has the overall lead in front of Zaniroli and Cowan.
• 11 stage: Bouna - Yamoussoukro (673 km, including 312 km of special)
Trossat, who wins the stage, is ultimately disqualified. He is found guilty of having taken advantage of recon missions executed in the area by his teammate Briavoine and having taken shortcuts. Colsoul, second at the wheel of his Opel Manta, is thus declared stage winner ahead of Ickx and Cowan. BMW places two motorcycles in the top three. Auriol beats Rahier.
• 12 and 13 stages: Yamoussoukro - Touba - Kissidougou
Two specials are on tap. Auriol and Bacou win the scratch. In the overall standings, three BMW's now occupy the top three positions with the ascent of Loizeaux. As for the cars, the first three finishers are the same for both specials with, in order, Metge ahead of Zaniroli and Colsoul.
• 14 stage: Kissidougou - Freetown (581 km of special)
Bacou and Zaniroli secure the best times of the special. There is tension in the BMW ranks. Rahier, concerned by the return of Auriol (back at 6'38), suspects the mechanics of favoring the plans of the Frenchman. The end of the rally is going to be heart-stopping.
• 15 and 16 stages: Freetown - Labe - Tambacounda
Two specials on the menu: On bikes, Bacou and Rahier dominate. For the cars, Ickx and Colsoul win the day's scratches. In the maneuvering, Rahier gains 10 undoubtedly decisive minutes on Hubert Auriol. Monique Delannoy and Nicole Maitrot continue to lead the competition for the Marathon, Diesel and Ladies' Cup.
• 17 stage: Tambacounda - Sali Portudal (408 km, including 101 km of special)
In Koupetoum, Auriol wins his 8th special of the rally. The feat of the day belongs to Lacaze (Citroën Visa), who finishes ahead of the two Porsches driven by Kussmaul and Ickx.
• 18t stage: Sali Portudal - Dakar (168 km)
The kings of the beach are Nirek Kubicek (KTM) and Kussmaul (Porsche 911). The day is a resounding success for German builders Porsche and BMW. They dominate both classes with the René Metge/Dominique Lemoyne team and Gaston Rahier. For the trucks, Lalleu and Durce are triumphant in their Mercedes.

• Stage victories
1 Alger-El Golea Liaison    925                        
2 El Golea-In Salah Chebaba-In Salah Chebaba-In Salah 297 Gabreau/Gabbay Fra R Rover Drobecq Fra Honda
3 In Salah-Tamanrasset Gorges de l’Arak - Tamanrasset 202 Lartigue/Djaoui Fra Lada Bacou Fra Yamaha
4 Tamanrasset-Iferouane    Tamanrasset-In Azoua 250 Ickx/Brasseur    Bel Porsche Rahier Bel BMW
5 Iferouane-Chirfa Iferouane-Chirfa 559    Ickx/Brasseur Bel Porsche Bacou    Fra Yamaha
6 Chirfa-Dirkou    Chirfa-Dirkou 238 Ickx/Brasseur    Bel Porsche Rahier Bel BMW
7 Dirkou-Agadez    Dirkou-Agadez 617 Ickx/Brasseur    Bel Porsche Auriol Fra BMW
8 Agadez-Niamey    Tahoua-Talchot 200 Metge/Lemoyne Fra Porsche Auriol Fra    BMW
9 Niamey-Ouagadougou Niamey-Ouagadougou    674 Ickx/Brasseur Bel Porsche Vassard Fra Honda
10 Ouagadougou-Bouna Ouagadougou-Kampi 430 Trossat/Briavoine Fra Lada Auriol Fra BMW
11 Bouna-Yamoussoukro Agnibilekrou-Yamoussoukro    312 Colsoul/Lopes Bel Opel Manta Auriol    Fra BMW
12 Yamoussoukro-Touba Yamoussoukro-Seguela 215 Ickx/Brasseur Bel Porsche Auriol    Fra BMW
12 Yamoussoukro-Touba Seguela-Touba 128    Colsoul/Lopes Bel Opel Manta Auriol Fra    BMW
13 Touba-Kissidougou Touba-Kissidougou 244 Metge/Lemoyne Fra Porsche Auriol Fra    BMW
13 Touba-Kissidougou Touba-Kissidougou 279 Metge/Lemoyne Fra Porsche Bacou Fra Yamaha
14 Kissidougou-Freetown    Kissidougou-Freetown 581 Zaniroli/Da Silva Fra R Rover Bacou Fra Yamaha
15 Freetown-Labé Liaison 647                        
16 Labé-Tambacounda Labé-Kedougou 221 Ickx/Brasseur Bel    Porsche    Bacou Fra Yamaha
16 Labé-Tambacounda Kedougou-Dialakoto 166 Colsoul/Lopes Bel Opel Manta    Rahier Bel BMW
17 Tambacounda-Sali Portudal Tambacounda-Koupetoum 101 Lacaze/Bouille Fra Citroën Auriol Fra BMW
18 Sali-Portudal-Thies Sali Portudal-Dakar 43 Ickx/Brasseur Bel    Porsche    Auriol Fra BMW
18 Thies-M'Boro M'Boro-Dakar Sali Portudal-Dakar 25 Ickx/Brasseur Bel Porsche Drobecq Fra Honda
18 Sali    Portudal-Dakar 100 Kussmaul/Lerner All Porsche Kubicek Sui KTM

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS
1 METGE/LEMOYNE    PORSCHE    Fra    
2 ZANIROLI/DA SILVA RANGE ROVER    Fra    
3 COWAN/SYER MITSUBISHI    GB    
4 COLSOUL/LOPES    OPEL Bel    
5 MARREAU/MARREAU PROTO FACOM Fra    
6 ICKX/BRASSEUR    PORSCHE    Bel    
7 RIGAL/FOURTICO MITSUBISHI Fra    
8 LACAZE/BOUILLE CITROEN Fra    
9 PLANSON/PLANSON MERCEDES Fra    
10 FOUGEROUSE/BRAQUET TOYOTA Fra    
11 GABREAU/GABBAY RANGE ROVER Fra    
12 THOMASSE/YVER MERCEDES Fra    
13 SEZALORY/NEVEU MERCEDES Fra    
14 DUVIOLS/TEZEKJIAN MERCEDES Fra    
15 ARNOUX/BODET    BUGGY/ARNOUX Fra    
16 MAITROT/DELANNOY MITSUBISHI Fra    
17 MANO/JOUSSE MERCEDES    Fra    
18 CHAMBILY/PAGE ROVER    Fra    
19 BOSTEELS/VANESLANDE TOYOTA Fra    
20 BOUCHET/VILLEPIQUE MERCEDES    Fra    
21 RATET/JACQUEMARD TOYOTA Fra    
22 VILLANUEVA/GIACOSA MITSUBISHI Fra    
23 GERIN/MARCI RANGE ROVER Bel    
24 BILLORET/LAROCHE CITROEN Fra    
25 ARIAS/SALESSES SUBARU Fra    
26 KUSSMAUL/LERNER PORSCHE All    
27 PREMAT/PELLICCIA MERCEDES Fra    
28 SERRIER/LIZARAGA TOYOTA Fra    
29 CHAMBERT/DUBEDAT TOYOTA Fra    
30 BOSI/VEILLON    MERCEDES Fra    
31 DESSOUDE/BERTIN DATSUN Fra    
32 ROY/BEAUDET MERCEDES    Fra    
33 LEONI/BERNARDI MERCEDES Ita    
34 CORTEZ/GOMES    UMM Por    
35 MICHEL/PRUD'HOMME PEUGEOT Fra    
36 BOUSSIER/CASTERA PUCH Fra    
37 HURPOIL/GUERIN MERCEDES Fra    
38 PAWDE/BOUTEVILLAIN TOYOTA Fra    
39 DUCROUX/DELEPOULLE TOYOTA Fra    
40 PIRON/JANSSENS RANGE ROVER Fra    
41 BERLIET/CAILLAUD MERCEDES Fra    
42 MEGRE/VILAS BOAS UMM    Por    
43 SIMBILLE/BRAGUY MERCEDES Fra    
44 PFUHL/SCHULLER MERCEDES All
45 MARIANO/CERE    MERCEDES Ita
46 YOKOTA/ISHIHARA TOYOTA Jap
47 MORDACQ/HALUSZKA MERCEDES Fra
48 TRECCANI/FENNER MERCEDES Fra
49 MANTET/DUCASSOU TOYOTA Fra
50 KORO/KORO TOYOTA Fra
51 ELVY/DAUSSY TOYOTA Fra
52 LILLO/REVERBERI DAIHATSU Esp
53 CONTAT-DESFONTAI/BOY    MITSUBISHI Fra
54 JAXEL/COULON    TOYOTA    Fra
55 VAN TUYL/NISOT RANGE ROVER Bel
56 THOMAS/CAILLON RANGE ROVER Fra
57 RUDAZ/GUENZI    MERCEDES Sui
58 CHANTRIE/VILAIN TOYOTA Bel
59 GERARD/GOEFFIC TOYOTA Fra
60 VISMARA/AGOSTINI RANGE ROVER    Ita
61 COUILLET/BONNEU STEYR PUCH Fra
62 MASS/PERRY MERCEDES    All
63 GUARATO/SMULEVICI PEUGEOT Fra
64 BOSTEELS/BOSTEELS TOYOTA Fra
65 PORCAR/MERENDINO MERCEDES Esp
66 VERRAES/DESRUMAUX TOYOTA Fra
67 HENRION/DE ST GILLES    LADA Fra
68 GUYDEL/DE CLERCK LADA Bel
69 MALGUY/PEPIN DONAT MERCEDES    Fra
70 CLATOT/BACHOLLE STEYR PUCH Fra
71 PARREAU/PUYTORAC TOYOTA Fra
72 CAZALIERES/COURTOIS MERCEDES    Fra
73 SAVIGNAT/BRUN DATSUN PATROL    Fra
74 LAFON/LACAZE    MERCEDES Fra
75 THENOUX/DUVOY COURNIL Fra
76 DE CASANOVE/LE COQ RANGE ROVER Fra
77 ROCHETTE/BERTRAND RANGE ROVER Fra
78 LACROIX/ROUSSEAU TOYOTA Fra
79 BAICHELLA/TRICARD MERCEDES Fra
80 COLLOMB/COLLOMB FIAT    Ita
81 HABER/ANDREOLI TOYOTA Fra
82 ALTMAYER/OLHAGARAY TOYOTA Fra
83 ROTHLISBERGER/ROTHLI. DAIHATSU Sui
84 OLDENBURG/FRUEHPALER    MERCEDES All
85 AUBRY/ROY TOYOTA Fra
86 LIPPIS/MATTREL LADA    Fra
87 VILLARD/HERNANDEZ PEUGEOT Fra
88 RONNIN/HERIN    TOYOTA    Fra
89 DUSSER/MERCKEN AL BE    LAND ROVER Fra
90 HERAULT/LEVY    TOYOTA    Fra
91 BAUDOUIN/LAGET COURNIL Fra
92 PASTUREL/BOIN DATSUN    Fra

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 RAHIER Gaston    BMW Bel
2 AURIOL Hubert    BMW Fra
3 VASSARD Philippe HONDA Fra
4 NEVEU Cyril HONDA Fra
5 LOIZEAUX Raymond BMW    Fra
6 OLIVIER J. Claude YAMAHA Fra
7 BALESTRIERI Andrea YAMAHA Ita
8 SPIRA Alain    HONDA    Bel
9 BACOU Serge    YAMAHA    Fra
10 GUILLET Michel HONDA    Fra
11 FENOUIL/RAMSES YAMAHA Fra
12 CHARLIAT François HONDA Fra
13 BOUDOU André    HONDA    Fra
14 LANDEREAU Pierre YAMAHA Fra
15 ANQUETIL Véronique YAMAHA Fra
16 BERGAMASCHI Paolo YAMAHA Ita
17 ZANICHELLI Alessandro YAMAHA    Ita
18 PILET Marcel    HONDA Fra
19 BASSOT HONDA    Fra
20 FIEUW Alain    YAMAHA    Bel
21 SCHEK Herbert SCHEK BMW All
22 TILLIETTE Gérard HONDA Fra
23 PELLETIER J. Christophe HONDA Fra
24 DETOT André    HONDA Fra
25 BASSOT Nicole HONDA    Fra
26 FINDANNO Janpiero YAMAHA Ita
27 DROBECQ Patrick HONDA Fra
28 RIGONI Bernard HUSQVARNA Fra
29 TEMMERMAN Jan YAMAHA    Bel
30 POLI Pierre M. YAMAHA Fra
31 VIMOND Jacky    YAMAHA    Fra
32 DE MONTREMY Raphael    YAMAHA    Fra
33 RIVOLLET J. Yves YAMAHA Fra
34 DE WITTE Yves HONDA Bel
35 KUBICEK Mirek KTM Sui
36 DELACOMBAZ Urbain KTM Sui
37 DEPETRI Alessandro KTM Ita
38 TEMMERMAN Dirk YAMAHA Bel
39 DEWILDE Georges HONDA Fra
40 VALLET Patrick YAMAHA Fra
41 JORMAKKA Tamo HONDA    Fin
42 YOKOKAWA Keiji HONDA    Jap
43 RACINE Yves    KTM Sui
44 GELIN Michel    KTM Sui
45 GUALINI Beppe HONDA    Ita
46 NAKAMURA Hirushi YAMAHA Jap
47 HERVE Philippe HONDA    Fra
48 RENE Daniel HONDA Fra
49 PAINEAU Gérard YAMAHA Fra
50 RENDERS/VEREOVEN SUZUKI Bel

OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS
1 LALLEU/DURCE MERCEDES    Fra
2 BOMERA/GRASSI    MERCEDES Ita
3 GABRIELLE/VOILLEREAU MAN Fra
4 ARCANGIOLI/PIERSANTI ASTRA Ita
5 BERNAU/BARTMANN MERCEDES All
6 REVERCHON/HUSER MAN Fra
7 LACOURT/ZIMMERMANN MAN Fra
8 DEL VAL/GUERRERO PEGASO Esp
9 MARTINEZ/LANGLOIS MERCEDES Fra
10 BOERNER/HEIN    MERCEDES Fra
11 AVOYNE/OBERMEYER MAN    Fra
12 HOURCABIE/BONNET RENAULT Fra

1985

PARIS - ALGIERS - DAKAR

7 PARIS -ALGIERS - DAKAR
• Start: 1 January 1985 from Versailles (Place d'Armes)
• Finish: 22 January 1985 in Dakar (Rose Lake)
• Rest: 12 January 1985 in Agadez
• Length of rally: 14,000 km
• Number of kilometers of special: 7,470 km
• Countries crossed: France, Algeria, Niger, Mali,
Mauritania, Senegal

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 552
- At the start:      362 cars
135 motorcycles 55 trucks
- At the finish:     146 véhicles
including   101 cars
25 motorcycles 20 trucks

Ickx-Brasseur, Metge-Lemoyne, Mass-Cowan-Syer, Zaniroli-Da Silva,
Motorcycle
5 teams officiels
• Ligier-Cagiva : Auriol et Picard
• Yamaha : Bacou et Olivier
• Honda : Baron, Lalay et Neveu
• BMW : Rahier, Loizeaux et Fenouil
• Suzuki: P et M Joineau
Non officiels
• MBK : Poli
• DKV 750 proto : Vassard
• KTM 600 : Carlos Mas
Car
• Opel Manta : Colsoul-Lopes, Weber-Berglund

MAJOR COMPETITORS
• Porsche 959
Kiefer
• Pajero Mitsubishi
Béguin-Maingret
• Lada Vaz : Jabouille-Sardou, Lartigue-Giroux
• Citroën Visa : Thérier-Vial, Lacaze-Duriez
• Lada Niva : Trossat-Djaoui
• Renault 18 : les Freres Marreau
• Rover Land 110 : Pescarolo-Fourticq
• Audi Quattro : Darniche-Mahé

Truck
• DAF : De Rooy/De Saulieu

HIGHLIGHTS
Star Wars on the Dakar: Jaussaud and Fontenay line up at the starting blocks on a sand ship. It actually is a Mercedes 190 with six wheels and a finish that is not unlike that of zebras. This strange vehicle, which required 2500 hours of labor, can reach peak speeds of 220 km/h.
Jet Set at the start: Prince Albert Grimaldi will be teamed with J.P Marsan on a Mitsubishi Pajero. As for his sister, Caroline Casiraghi, she will line up with her husband and Arcangiolo in an Astra BM 309 truck.
Groine wins a Nobel: although singer Daniel Balavoine is no greenhorn on the adventure, this is a major first for actress Chantal Nobel. The star of "Châteauvallon" will be the good luck charm for Georges Groine and Bernard Malfériol on a Mercedes 500 HP truck.

• Ttrucks against hunger: the MAN number 649, nicknamed "The Good Man" will not make the return trip home. The truck,
driven by three German journalists and filled with medicine, will be given to the Red Cross. "T.S.O.",in conjunction with the
city of Le Touquet, will also leave three trucks filled with water pumps, hospital furnishings and farming equipment in Mali,
Niger and Mauritania.
• Four women on bikes: once again there will be four fair adventure seekers riding bikes on the "Dakar". They answer to the
names of Bassot, Koppenhague, Lecomte and the eternal Véronique Anquetil.

THE ROUTE
• Prologue : Cergy-Pontoise (7 km)
• 1 étape : Alger - El Golea (1039 km dont 239 km de spéciale)
2 étape : El Golea - In Salah (500 km dont 297 km de spéciale)
3 étape : In Salah - In Amguel (667 km de spéciale)
4 étape : In Amguel - Tamanrasset (239 km de spéciale)
5 étape : Tamanrasset - Iferouane (649 km de spéciale)
6 étape : Iferouane - Agadez (350 km de spéciale)
7 étape : Agadez - Dirkou (627 km de spéciale)
8 étape : Dirkou - Agadez (1106 km)
Dirkou-Iferouane (790 km de spéciale)
Iferouane-Agadez (316 km de spéciale) Repos a Agadez
9 étape : Agadez - Gao (1244 km)
Agadez-Tchin Tabarden (316 km de spéciale)
Tchin Tabarden-Tahoua (liaison 150 km)
Tahoua-Anderamboukane (347 km de spéciale)
Anderamboukane-Gao (liaison 431 km)
10 étape : Gao - Tombouctou (418 km de spéciale)
11 etape : Tombouctou - Nema (702 km de spéciale)
12 étape : Nema - Tichit (500 km dont 250 km de spéciale)
Tichit - Kiffa (671 km dont 252 km de spéciale)
13 etape : Kiffa - Kayes (300 km de spéciale)  
14 étape : Kayes - Kedougou (393 km de spéciale)
15 étape : Kedougou - Tambacounda (343 km dont 268 km de spéciale)
16 étape
17 étape : Tambacounda - Dakar (536 km dont 60 km de spéciale)

THE RACE
• Prologue at Cergy Pontoise
This year, the 70,000 spectators have made the trip to watch the prologue be won by Lalay (Honda), Darniche (Audi Quattro) and Capito (Mercedes).
• 1 stage: Alger - El Golea (1039 km, including 239 km of special)
First special (Ouargla-El Golea) and first disaster: Ickx, Metge and Rahier are delayed and the Ladas are in trouble. Gabreau-Pipat (Land Rover) and Baron (Honda) have taken control.
• 3 stage: In Salah - In Amguel (667 km of special)
The Yamahas win, place and show for the motorcycles, with, in order, American Stearns, Frenchman Bacou and Italian Picco. On the car side, the stage is handled smoothly by the Colsoul-Lopes tandem, in fourth. They take the overall lead.
• 4 stage: In Amguel - Tamanrasset (239 km of special)
Belgian Jacky Ickx is the swiftest ahead of Jarier-Borie and Metge-Lemoyne. However, it is another Belgian, Colsoul, who maintains the top spot in the overall standings. For the bikes, the Honda stable propels Lalay and Neveu to the two top positions. Bacou (Yamaha) moves into the lead.
• 5 stage: Tamanrasset - Iferouane (649 km of special)
This special will see many lose their way, but Fourticq, airplane pilot and navigator for Pescarolo, allows their Land to finish magnificiently in third place. Darniche, who left in 165h place, wins the scratch, thus securing his second special. For the bikes, Picard beats out Neveu and Fenouil.
• 6 stage: Iferouane - Agadez (350 km of special)
Stearns triumphs again, but the performance of the day is credited to a private team. The Raymondis-Bos pair in fact wins the scratch ahead of Zaniroli's Mitsubishi and Metge's Porsche. In the overall standings, Bacou extends his lead over Lalay. In the car class, the Opel Manta two-wheel drive commanded by Belgian Colsoul continues to race ahead.
• 7 stage: Agadez - Dirkou (627 km of special)
Although he got bogged down in a dune, Ickx, third in the special, is the biggest winner on this first day in the heart of the Ténéré. He now stands in second position in the overall standings behind Colsoul. Meanwhile, the motorcyle class sees the victory of another Belgian, Gaston Rahier, who finishes ahead Auriol's Ligier-Cagiva and the Yamaha ridden by Bacou.
• 8 stage: Dirkou - Agadez (1106 km)
There are numerous casualties: Ickx and Brasseur rip up the front end assembly of their Porsche while Pescarolo gets lost and finishes three hours over. Bikers Lalay and Bacou suffer the same misfortune. As for René Metge, the quickest at Iférouane, he picked up three penalty hours because he missed a time check. Zaniroli and Rahier are the day's big winners. In the overall standings, Colsoul is ahead of Zaniroli and Picco is on top of Rahier.
• 9 stage: Agadez - Gao
Another marathon stage for the arrival in Mali. Colsoul, a victim of mechanical shortcomings in addition to navigational errors, loses his leader position to Zaniroli's Mitsubish Pajero. Cowan wins the famous night stage. The second special, headed toward Tchintabaraden, is carried off by Metge. In the bike class, the U.S.A.'s Stearns turns in his 3rd victory. Picco is still the leader of the pack. As for the trucks, the De Rooy-De Saulieu pair looks untouchable thanks to the unbelievable domination of ther DAF. The special between Tahoua and Anderambakane is fatal for René Metge, who falls victim to an oil leak. The Mistsubishi hold strong and see the two Pajeros commanded by Zaniroli and Cowan just behind Pescarolo. The exciting journey is also over for the Grimaldi-Marsan team after mechanical troublels a few kilometers out from Gao. On his bike, Rahier is the winner of the day's special as he moves in on Picco.
• 10 stage: Gao - Timbuktu (418 km of special)
Zaniroli pockets a win in the special and widens his lead in the overall standings. For the motorcycles, Belgian Rahier triumphs in the scratch.
• 11 stage: Timbuktu - Nema (702 km of special)
Pescarolo attacks and wins, but Zaniroli, despite some mechanical hiccups, still comes away with the top spot in the overall standings. Picco, third in motorcycle finishes for the special behind Auriol and Marinoni, takes advantage of Rahier's navigational errors to gain a few minutes on him.
• 12 stage: Nema - Tichit (500 km, including 250 km of special)
This stage is quite certainly the most fearsome and the most dreaded by the competitors. And rightly so, since for the first time since the rally's creation, the race was interrupted, at kilometers 137, because of a raging sandstorm.
• 13 stage: Tichit - Kiffa (671 km, including 252 km of special)
An impromptu bivouac, an improvised stage to link Endji and Tichit: the Dakar has to contend with the unforeseen aspects of the race. 168 survivors, including 40 motorcycles are still in the hunt. Private competitor Stéphane Bosteels has his hour in the spotlight. He and his Toyota dominate, after having taken advantage, like many other competitors, of Zaniroli's navigating. It is the same scenario for the two-wheelers, where Picard and Joineau, respectively first and second, took advantage of the clairvoyance and experience of Auriol and Neveu.
• 14 and 15 stages: Kiffa - Kayes - Kedougou
"Hell" is now behind the drivers. The rally sees another win for a private entry in the car class. This time it is the Raymondis-Bos team behind the wheel of a Range Rover. Elsewhere, the American Stearns adds another notch to his victory card. He wins his fourth scratch since leaving Paris. Thierry Sabine decides to organize an impromptu day of rest to reassemble the competitors, who are scattered across more than 1000 km. An easing of the rules eliminates several penalties assigned the previous day. A gift from above for Gaston Rahier, who regains the lead in the overall standings.
• 16 stage: Kedougou - Tambacounda (343 km, including 268 km of special)
A Honda hat trick in the motorcycle class with, in order, Baron, Lalay and Neveu. Picco (blown-out tire) and Auriol (burned valve) have mechanical troubles and will no longer be able to stop Rahier from winning his second Dakar. In the car class, Cowan beats out Zaniroli. On the eve of the last special, fates look to be sealed.
• 15 stage: Tambacounda - Dakar (536 km, including 60 km of special)
The final stage has in store one major surprise. De Rooy, victim of a flat tire on his DAF, is saddled with a 15-hour penalty, thereby handing victory to the Italian team of Capito-Capito. Zaniroli and Rahier triumph with no surprises. This is the third straight win for BMW after Auriol and Rahier ien 1983 and 1984.

• Stage victories
1 Cergy Pontoise Prologue 7 Darniche/Mahe Fra Audi Qua Lalay Fra Honda
2 Alger-El Golea Ouargla-El Golea 239 Gabreau/Pipat Fra L Rover    Baron Fra Honda
3 El Golea-In Salah Depart-In Salah 297    Darniche/Mahe Fra Audi Qu Baron Fra Honda
4 In salah-In Amguel In Salah-In Amguel    667 Pescarolo/Fourticq Fra L Rover Stearns Usa Yamaha
5 In Amguel-Tamanrasset In Amguel-Assekrem 239 Ickx/Brasseur Bel Porsche Lalay Fra Honda
6 Tamanrasset-Iferouane Tamanrasset-Iferouane 649 Darniche/Mahe    Fra Audi Qu Picard Fra Cagiva
7 Iferouane-Agadez Iferouane-Agadez 350    Raymondis/Bos Fra R Rover Stearns Usa Yamaha
8 Agadez-Dirkou Agadez-Dirkou 627 Metge/Lemoyne    Fra Porsche Rahier Bel    BMW
9 Dirkou-Agadez Dirkou-Iferouane 790 Zaniroli/Da Silva Fra Mitsubishi Rahier Bel BMW
9 Dirkou-Agadez Iferouane-Agadez 316 Cowan/Syer    GB Mitsubishi Stearns Usa Yamaha
10 Agadez-Gao Agadez-Tchin Tabaraden 316 Metge/Lemoyne Fra Porsche Stearns Usa Yamaha
10 Agadez-Gao Tahoua-Anderamboukane 347    Pescarolo/Fourticq Fra R Rover Rahier Bel BMW
11 Gao-Tombouctou Gai-Tombouctou 418 Zaniroli/Da Silva Fra Mitsubishi Rahier Bel BMW
12 Tombouctou-Nema Tombouctou-Nema 702 Pescaolo/Fourticq Fra R Rover Auriol Fra    BMW
13 Nema-Tichit Enji-Tichit 250 Bosteels/Vanneslande Fra    Toyota Picard Fra Cagiva
14 Tichit-Kiffa Tichit-Tidjikja    252 Fougerousse/Jacquemard Fra Toyota Neveu Fra    Honda
15 Kiffa-Kayes Kiffa-Kayes 300 Raymondis/Bos Fra R Rover Stearns Usa Yamaha
16 Kayes-Kedougou Kayes-Kedougou 393 Zaniroli/Da Silva Fra Mitsubishi Baron Fra    Honda
17 Kedougou-Tambacounda Kedougou-Dialakato 268 Cowan/Syer GB Mitsubishi    Baron Fra Honda18 Tambacounda-Dakar M'Boro-Dakar 60 Zaniroli/Da Silva Fra Mitsubishi Stearns Usa Yamaha

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS
1 ZANIROLI/DA SILVA MITSUBISHI Fra
2 COWAN/SYER MITSUBISHI    GB
3 FOUGEROUSE/JACQUEMAR TOYOTA Fra
4 RATET/DE BELABRE TOYOTA Fra
5 MARREAU/MARREAU RENAULT Fra
6 MARCI/JANSSENS RANGE ROVER Bel
7 TEZEKDJIAN/DOLLA MERCEDES Fra
8 DE DEYNE/BECKERS LAND ROVER Bel
9 BOSTEELS/VANNESLANDE TOYOTA Fra
10 BOUCHET/VILLEPIGUE MERCEDES Fra    
11 CAPITO/CAPITO MERCEDES Ita
12 TUSTERMAN/TUSTERMAN MERCEDES    Hol
13 DESSOUDE/BERTIN DATSUN/PAIR Fra
14 CANELLAS/FERRAN RANGE ROVER Esp
15 DE ROOY/DE SAULIEU DAF Hol
16 FAUCHER/BOUSSIER LAND ROVER Fra
17 LAPEYRE/LOURSEAU AUDI Fra
18 ESPANADIN/ESPASANDIN DAIHATSU Sui
19 KORO/POITOU TOYOTA Fra
20 ARNOUX/BODET BUGGY Fra
21 MITATY/DELETANG MERCEDES Fra
22 POPINEAU/POPINEAU MERCEDES Fra
23 FRAUD/ALOR MITSUBISHI Fra
24 KALVAS/BOUCHOU MERCEDES Fra
25 SERRIER/LOZE TOYOTA Fra
26 LEDOUX/MONTIGNY MITSUBISHI Fra
27 PASTUREL/BOIN PEUGEOT Fra
28 VAN TUYL/LORIAUX RANGE ROVER    Bel
29 SCHNECK/DURHEIMER PUCH All
30 ROY/BALAVOINE TOYOTA    Fra
31 EL FODIL/LEFEVRE MITSUBISHI Fra
32 BERGERON/PENNER MERCEDES Fra
33 KORO/MANTET TOYOTA Fra
34 JAXEL/COULON TOYOTA Fra
35 COURTOIS/DUMONT TOYOTA Fra
36 ROCHETTE/BERTRAND RANGE ROVER Fra
37 RIGAL/DERY AUDI Fra
38 MICHEL/PRUD'HOMME MITSUBISHI    Fra
39 BONNIN/LHEUREUX TOYOTA Fra
40 SARTIAUX/COTERET MITSUBISHI Fra
41 GUARATO/MEZZACAPO MITSUBISHI    Fra
42 MATTREL/BORTOT MITSUBISHI Fra
43 STROHMANN/CAPITO MERCEDES Fra
44 HANCIAUX/LEURQUIN TOYOTA Bel
45 ETCHEBEST/LEPINOUX TOYOTA Fra
46 VISMARA/MINELLI MERCEDES Ita
47 HURPOIL/LEBIET MERCEDES Fra
48 AUBRY/BONJEAN TOYOTA    Fra
49 DE BLOOS/ERCULISSE MITSUBISHI Bel
50 GROINE/NOBEL MERCEDES Fra
51 LUTUN/OLDRA
52 GAMBINI/BELVEZE MITSUBISHI Fra
53 BOSTEELS/PROUVOST TOYOTA Fra
54 PETRIKOVSKI/GALGANI TOYOTA Fra
55 CHAMBON/ROHM    MERCEDES Fra
56 VERNET/BEZANCENAY MERCEDES Fra
57 DUPART/DESTAILLATS LAND ROVER Fra
58 PAREAU/PUYTORAC TOYOTA Fra
59 LECOQ/LOUE RANGE ROVER Fra
60 BONVIN/SUTER    DAIHATSU Sui
61 STRICHER/PILLON MERCEDES Fra
62 MARTINEZ/HERBUEL MERCEDES Fra
63 PASQUIER/LAMONERIE TOYOTA Fra
64 BRAGUI/RAYMOND MERCEDES Fra
65 VERNHETTES/LIAUD LAND ROVER Fra
66 LASSUS/FILLIATREAU TOYOTA Fra
67 MORIN/JEANNIN MERCEDES Fra
68 ROISEUX/PAILLER MERCEDES Fra
69 ROTHLISBERGER/ROTHLI. DAIHATSU Sui
70 DIERS/NAVARRO TOYOTA    Fra
71 SMULEVICI/KOPA MITSUBISHI Fra
72 LACROIX/MENIER LAND ROVER Bel
73 GOELHEN/DE ROSEE MERCEDES Bel
74 GAUTIER/CAZENAVE MAH    MITSUBISHI Fra
75 BOSONNET/VENTURINI MERCEDES Fra
76 VERSINO/GIMBRE MERCEDES Fra
77 VIDAL/HERVOT    MITSUBISHI Fra
78 LACOURT/BONNAIRE MAN    Fra
79 VETSCH/ROUILLARD MERCEDES Sui
80 GUERRE/DE FARCY MITSUBISHI Fra
81 PORCAR/DE AISA MERCEDES Esp
82 SCHMUDE/BERG    MERCEDES All
83 BRASSINE/PIRON LAND ROVER Bel
84 BOUILLE/NEPLAZ IVECO/DI Fra
85 BARRAL/PONCHARAL PUCH/PINZ Fra
86 ALTMAYER/PRUVOT PUCH/PINZ Fra
87 HOURCADIE/VAISSIERE RENAULT Fra
88 FENCL/MOSKAL    LIAZ Tch
89 WUTHRICH/LIECHTI MITSUBISHI Sui
90 ALARY/MEDARD    TOYOTA    Fra
91 HOUSSAT/BONIN MERCEDES Fra
92 LEMAITRE/DENONCIN DATSUN Fra
93 CARNEVALE/CASELLA ASTRA Ita
94 GATTINGER/POHL MAN All
95 MALSCHAERT/MEUNIER LAND ROVER Bel
96 CAMUS/RUBEAUD ACMAT    Fra
97 DE CONNINCK/DE GROEVE MITSUBISHI Bel
98 SCHOSMANN/BRUNET MERCEDES Fra
99 LODER/WIMMER    PUCH All
100 CARMENTRAN/DECROUX    MERCEDES Fra
101 BEZEMER/VERHAEGEN PEGASO Bel

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 RAHIER Gaston BMW Bel
2 OLIVIER Jean-Claude YAMAHA Fra
3 PICCO Franco YAMAHA Ita
4 MARINONI Andrea YAMAHA Ita
5 NEVEU Cyril HONDA Fra
6 STEARNS Chuck YAMAHA EU
7 CHARLIAT François HONDA Fra
8 AURIOL Hubert LIGIER CAGIVA Fra
9 VERHAEGHE Grégoire BARIGO Fra
10 COURTOIS Christian YAMAHA Fra
11 SPIRA Alain HONDA Bel
12 PICARD Gilles LIGIER CAGIVA Fra
13 MAS Carlos KIM Esp
14 ZANICHELLI Alessandro HONDA Ita
15 LALAY Gilles HONDA Fra
16 DE MONTREMY R. YAMAHA Fra
17 PILET Marcel HONDA Fra
18 VALADON Dominique BARIGO Fra
19 JOINEAU Marc SUZUKI Fra
20 BARON Jean-Michel HONDA Fra
21 SCHEK Heribert KIM All
22 PESCHEUR Daniel BMW Fra
23 PARMENTIER Michel SUZUKI Fra
24 DE JONGHE Verboven SUZUKI Bel
25 PAINEAU Gérard YAMAHA Fra

OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS
1 CAPITO/CAPITO MERCEDES All
2 DE ROOY/DE SAULIEU DAF Hol
3 STROHMANN/CAPITO MERCEDES Fra
4 VISMARA/MINELLI MERCEDES Ita
5 GROINE/NOBEL MERCEDES    Fra
6 CHAMBON/ROHM MERCEDES    Fra
7 MARTINEZ/HERBUEL MERCEDES Fra
8 BOSONNET/VENTURINI MERCEDES Fra
9 VERSINO/GIMBRE MERCEDES Fra
10 LACOURT/BONNAIRE MAN 20 2 Fra
11 BOUILLE/NEPLAZ IVECO DI V Fra
12 HOURCADIE/VAISSIERE RENAULT Fra
13 FENCL/MOSKAL LIAZ 100 Tch
14 HOUSSAT/BONIN MERCEDES Fra
15 CARNEVALE/CASELLA ASTRA BM Fra
16 GATTINGER/POHL MAN 20 3 Fra
17 CAMUS/RUBEAUD ACMAT VLRA Fra
18 SCHOSMANN/BRUNET MERCEDEX UNIM Fra
19 CARMENTRAN/DECROUX MERCEDES    Fra
20 BEZEMER/VERHAEGEN PEGASO    Bel

1986

PARIS - ALGIERS - DAKAR

8th PARIS - ALGIERS - DAKAR
• Start: 1 January 1986 from Versailles (Place d'Armes)
• Finish: 22 January 1986 in Dakar (Rose Lake)
• Rest: 13 January 1986 in Niamey
• Length of rally: 15,000 km
• Number of kilometers of specials: 7,731 km
• Countries crossed: France, Algeria, Niger, Mali, Upper
Volta, Senegal

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 486
- At the start:      282 cars
131 motorcycles 73 camions
- At the finish:     100 véhicles
including     71 cars/trucks 29 motorcycles

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS:
Metge/Lemoyne (Fra) PORSCHE 959
OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS:
Cyril Neveu (Fra) HONDA NXR
OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS:
Vismara/Minelli (Ita) UNIMOG MERCEDES

Truck
• Mercedes Benz : Groine-Drhey-Malfériol
• DAF : De Rooy-De Saulieu-Geusens
• Mercedes : Capito-Capito
MAJOR COMPETITORS
• Mitsubishi: Cowan-Syer, Zaniroli-Da Silva, Rigat-
Maingret
• Rover Range : Gabreau-Pipat, Pescarolo-Fourticq,
Ragnotti-Hemard, Raymondis-Bos
• Lada Niva : Marreau-Marreau, Lartigue-Giroux
• Opel Kadett: Colsoul-Lopes
Motorcycle
• Honda : Baron, Neveu, Lalay, Charliat, Orioli, De Petri
• Yamaha : Charbonnier, Bacou, Marinoni A, Picco,
Olivier, Huynen
• Suzuki: Joineau Ph et M
• BMW : Rahier, Hau, Loizeaux
• Cagiva : Auriol, Picard, Marinoni G.P
• Guzzi: Drobecq, Rigoni
Car
• Porsche 959 : Ickx-Brasseur, Metge-Lemoyne,
Kussmaul-Unger

HIGHLIGHTS
"Mad Max at the Start": after the misadventure he experienced in the 1985 edition, Jan De Rooy decided to come back even stronger. His impressive truck is indeed of a size to rival the fastest cars. With its two dual-turbo engines generating close to 500 HP each, its two simultaneously commanded gear boxes and its two powered axles, the Dutchman's DAF could indeed waltz away with a few scratches, if not more...
Auriol, just like Moser: in the interest of scientific studies, in conjunction with the Clinique du Sport, Hubert Auriol is following the same diet that allowed Italian cyclist Moser, to beat the world per-hour record.
"Schless" arrives: the French champion (Production), a test driver for the Williams stable, Jean-Louis Schlesser lines up at the Dakar starting gaes in an Aro 4x4.
Anquetil at the wheel: Jacques Anquetil trades in his bike for a Mercedes bearing the colors of Normandy. "Dakar '86, Dakar of the Heart": Thierry Sabine makes the announcement that several water pumps will be offered to the most impoverished cities and villages of the Sahel.

• The Dakar veteran: he has a white beard and has celebrated 73 birthdays. His name is Marcel Hugueny, a retired surgeon,
who, for the first time since 1978, will not participate in the race as a competitor (lack of sponsors), but as a driver of an
official race vehicle.
• The Marreaus desert Renault: the "foxes of the desert", also known as the Marreau brothers, abandon their loyalty to the
house of Renault. After the R4 (1978 and 80), R20 (81, 82), R18 (83, 84 and 85), this year they will compete in a Lada Niva.
• Honda triple feat in motorcycles: behind Cyril Neveu are Frenchman Lalay and Italy's Balestrieri.
• Porsche's double: the Metge-Lemoyne duo finish ahead of Ickx and Brasseur.

THE ROUTE
• Prologue : Cergy (7 km)
• 1 étape : Versailles - Sete (liaison 1100 km)
• 2 étape : Alger - Ghardaja (liaison 660 km)
• 3 étape : Ghardaia - El Golea (580 km dont 350 km de spéciale)
• 4 étape : El Golea - In Salah (550 km)dont 297 km de spéciale)
• 5 étape : In Salah - Tamanrasset (649 km)
In Salah-Hi El Krenig (liaison 81 km) Hi El Krenig-Gorges d'Arak (204 km de spéciale) Gorges d'Arak-Marabout (144 km de spéciale) Marabout-Tamanrasset (liaison 220 km)
• 6 étape : Tamanrasset - Tamanrasset (400 km dont 180 km de spéciale)
• 7 étape : Tamanrasset - Agadez (828 km)
Tamanrasset-Iferouane (549 km de spéciale) Iferouane-Agadez (279 km de spéciale)
• 8 étape : Agadez - Dirkou (645 km)
• 9 étape : Dirkou - Agadem (285 km de spéciale)
• 10 étape : Agadem - Zinder (910 km de spéciale)
11 étape : Zinder - Niamey (915 km de spéciale) Repos a Niamey
12 étape : Niamey - Gourma (814 km dont 382 km de spéciale)
• 13 étape : Bamako - Labe (986 km de spéciale)
• 14 étape : Labe - Kayes (600 km)
Labe-Kedougou (220 km de spéciale) Kedougou-Kayes (380 km de spéciale)
• 15 étape : Kayes - Kiffa (281 km de spéciale)
• 16 étape : Kiffa - Saint-Louis (1656 km)
Kiffa-Boutilimit (liaison 1 656 km) Boulimit-Rossot (175 km de spéciale) Rossot-Saint-Louis (139 km de spéciale)
• 17 étape : Saint-Louis - Sali Portudal (620 km)
Saint-Louis-Richard Toll (liaison) Richard Toll-Dara (141 km de spéciale) Dara-Linguere (liaison) Linguere-Kolobane (142 km de spéciale) Kolobane-Sali Portudal (liaison)
• 18 étape : Sali Portudal - Dakar (200 km dont 60 km de spéciale)

THE RACE
• Prologue at Cergy-Pontoise
A snowstorm before the sandstorms: on a snowy 7.6-km route and before 100,000 fans, Pierre-Marie Poli (Yamaha), editor-in-chief of "Moto-Journal", Dayraut-Destaillats (Porsche 911) and De Rooy-De Saulieu-Geusens (DAF) win the day's scratches.
• 1st, 2nd and 3rd stages: Versailles - Sete - Algiers - Ghardaja - El Golea (580 km, including 350 km of special)
The race has barely reached Algeria and the race sees its first casualties. Pescarolo-Fourticq in their Range-Rover abandon the race after 15 km of special in a car in flames. Schlesser also gives up after breaking his gear box. The Mitsubishis driven by Zaniroli-Da Silva and Cowan-Syer win the first two specials in the car class (Ouargla-El Golea and El-Golea-In Salah). An outsider, Belgian Huynen on a Yamaha, carries the scratch in El Golea while Italian De Petri wins at In Salah on his Honda. As for the trucks, the duel between Capito's Merceoes and Groine's DAF is going to be bitter. They each have one victory to their credit.
• 4th and 5th stages: El Golea - In Salah - TamanrassetBetween Hi El Krenig and the gorges of the Arak, Zaniroli pockets his second scratch win. Belgian Jacky Ickx, trying to avoid a cyclist, destroys his radiator and flirts with disaster. Yamahas obtain the top two positions with Picco and Charbonnier. Between the Gorges of the Arak and Marabout, Gabreau-Pipat prove to be the swiftest. Picco wins his second straight stage. In the overall standings, Zaniroli, Huynen and De Rooy are riding high at the top of the rally.

• 6th stage: Tamanrasset (400 km, including 180 km of special) Zaniroli breaks his gear box. Gabreau-Pipat's Range takes advantage of his misfortune to win the special and seize the overall lead in front of Metge's Porsche. For the trucks, De Rooy finishes first, placing 13th in the scratch.
Honda is a triple threat again in the two-wheeler class with Orioli, Neveu and De Petri. Picco, the victim of a fall, cedes his top ranking to Italy's Balestrieri.
• 7th stage: Tamanrasset - Agadez (828 km)
For cars, Porsche gets three cars in the top four slots, with the win going to Metge. The latter takes over the number one position in the overall rankings by less than a minute. Cyril Neveu is the major beneficiary of this stage. In effect, thanks to his victory in the special, he takes the lead in the general rankings. During the nighttime special just for the cars between Iférouane and Agadez, the Ickx-Brasseur tandem is victorious in their Porsche ahead of the Raymondis-Bos and Metge-Lemoyne teams.
• 8th stage: Agadez - Dirkou (645 km)
René Metge and Jacky Ickx escape again and establish a convincing lead. In the car class, Charliat is the first to arrive at the Ténéré tree. As for the trucks, De Rooy, whose DAF reached 200 km/h, leaves Capito and Groine in his dust.
• 9th stage: Dirkou - Agadem (285 km of special)
Ickx and Metge get bogged down in the dunes of the big Bilma erg and lose nearly an hour to Zaniroli, Ragnotti and Gabreau, whose 4x4's make it through without any trouble. On bikes, two wins for two cousins, Gian-Paolo (Cagiva) and Andra Marinoni (Yamaha). Nicole Bassot is the only woman still riding a motorcycle in the race after Véronique Anquetil's fall and withdrawal.
• 10th and 11th stages: Agadem - Zinder - Niamey
Once again on the piste connecting Tahoua and Talcho, it is the devilish Italian drivers Alessandro De Petri, Edi Orioli and Andrea Balestrieri, the three men of "Honda Italy", who were the swiftest. Hubert Auriol, one of the favorites on his Cagiva, quits the rally with a wrecked motorcycle and a dislocated shoulder. Gabreau-Pipat and Metge-Lemoyne win the day's two specials.
• 12th stage: Niamey - Gourma (814 km, including 382 km of special)
Raymondis, Gabreau, Ragnotti and Zanirolli get stuck with 10 penalty hours for not having travelled the 382 km of the first Tera-Gao special in the allotted time. The win goes to Cowan and Syer's Pajero Mitsubishi, but Metge and Ickx hold steady in the overall standings. On motorcycles, there are two specials on tap and two Italian wins for Findanno and De Pétri to conclude.
• The Tragedy
On Tuesday, 14 January 1986, around 19:00, a terrible helicopter accident a few kilometers from Gourma Raous, takes the lives of the leader of the Dakar, Thierry Sabine, as well as those of the four people accompanying him: singer Daniel Balavoine, journalist Nathaly Odent, pilot François-Xavier Bagnoud and radio technician Jean-Paul Lefur. The TSO team, meeting in Bamako under the authority of Thierry Sabine's right-hand man, Patrick Verdois, decides that the race must go on.
• 14th stage: Labe - Kayes (600 km)
Their hearts are not in the race anymore for the remaining 117 cars/trucks and 36 motorcycles. Zaniroli-Da Silva carry off the scratch, but the overall standings see no changes. Patrick Verdois adjusts the final route. An impromptu day of rest is added in Labé and four specials will be shortened to reach Tidjikja.
• 15th stage: Kayes - Kiffa (281 km of special)
The Italians pull off the hat trick on motorcycles, with victories for De Petri and Picco. There is also a triple threat in the car class, but for Mitsubishi, with Cowan, Zaniroli and Rigal winning the day's three scratches. Noteworthy development: the withdrawal of Dutchman De Rooy and his DAF, because of a broken front axle.
• 16th stage: Kiffa - Saint-Louis (1656 km)
The two specials of the day are won by Zaniroli and Rigal's Mitsubishi while Picco (Yamaha) and Hau (BMW) are stand-outs on two-wheels. The Metge-Lemoyne team, which got stuck in the mud, loses an hour, but remains solidly in the lead ahead of the second Porsche and the Ickx-Brasseur tandem.
• 17th stage: Saint-Louis - Sali Portudal (620 km)
Belgians Colsoul for cars and Spira and Rahier on motorcycles, are best in the day's scratches in a symbolic gesture. After De Rooy, the race sees the surprising withdrawal of Groine, who could not get his truck out of a rut.
• 18th stage: Sali Portudal - Dakar (200 km, including 60 km of special)
Belgian Gaston Rahier and his motorcycle win two more scratches. Cowan and Gabreau tie for the best time in the car class. Metge triumphs with a 3rd Dakar title and Neveu takes his 4th. Vismara-Minelli, on their Mercedes Unimog, are the unexpected winners in the truck class.

• Stage victories                                    
1 Cergy Pontoise Prologue 7,6 Dayraut/Destaillats Fra Porsche Poli Fra Yamaha
2 Versailles-Sete Liaison 1100                        
3 Alger-Gharda'i'a Liaison 660                        
4 GhardaTa-EI Golea Ouargla-El Golea 350 Zaniroli/Da Silva Fra Mitsubishi Huynen Bel Yamaha
5 El Golea-In Salah Chebaba-In Salah 297 Cowan/Syer GB    Mitsubishi De Petri Ita    Honda
6 In Salah-Tamanrasset Hi El Krenig-Gorges d'Arak 204 Zaniroli/Da Silva    Fra Mitsubishi Picco Ita Yamaha
6 In Salah-Tamanrasset    Gorges d'Arak-Marabout    144 Gabreau/Pipat Fra R Rover Picco Ita    Yamaha
7 Tamanrasset-Tamanrasset Tamanrasset-Col de l’Assekrem 180 Gabreau/Pipat Fra R Rover Orioli Ita Honda
8 Tamanrasset-Agadez Tamanrasset-Iferounae 549 Metge/Lemoyne Fra Porsche Neveu Fra Honda
8 Tamanrasset-Agadez Iferouane-Agadez 279 Ickx/Brasseur Bel Porsche Non courue
9 Agadez-Dirkou    Agadez-Dirkou 645 Metge/Lemoyne Fra Porsche Charliat Fra Honda
10 Dirkou-Agadem Dirkou-Agadem 285 Zaniroli/Da Silva Fra Mitsubishi Marinoni Ita Cagiva
11 Agadem-Zinder Agadem-Zinder 910 Gabreau/Pipat Fra R Rover De Pétri Ita Honda
12 Zinder-Niamey Zinder-Niamey 915 Metge/Lemoyne Fra Porsche De Pétri Ita Honda
13 Niamey-Gourma Tera-Gao 382 Cowan/Syer GB Mitsubishi Findanno    Ita Yamaha
14 Bamako-Labé    Bamako-Labé 986    Zaniroli/Da Silva Fra Mitsubishi Marinoni Ita Cagiva
15 Labé-Kayes Labé-Kedougou 220    Cowan/Syer GB Mitsubishi De Pétri Ita Honda
15 Labé-Kayes Kedougou-Kayes 380 Zaniroli/Da Silva Fra    Mitsubishi De Pétri Ita    Honda
16 Kayes-Kiffa Kayes-Kiffa 281    Rigal/Maingret Fra Mitsubishi Picco I Yamaha
17 Kiffa-Saint Louis Boutilimit-Rossot 175 Zaniroli/Da Silva Fra Mitsubishi Picco I Yamaha
17 Kiffa-Saint Louis Rossot-Saint Louis 139 Rigal/Maingret Fra    Mitsubishi Hau All BMW
18 Saint Louis-Sali Portudal Ricahrd Toll-Dara 141 Colsoul/Lopes Bel Opel Rahier Bel BMW
18 Saint Louis-Sali Portudal Linguere-Kolobane 142 Colsoul/Lopes Bel Opel Spira    Bel Yamaha
19 Sali Portudal-Dakar    M'Boro-Lac Retba 60 Gabreau/Pipat Fra R Rover Rahier Bel BMW

OVERALL CAR-TRUCK STANDINGS
1 METGE/LEMOYNE PORSCHE    Fra
2 ICKX/BRASSEUR PORSCHE    Bel
3 RIGAL/MAINGRET MITSUBISHI Fra
4 LARTIGUE/GIROUX LADA Fra
5 COWAN/SYER MITSUBISHI    GB
6 KUSSMAUL/UNGER PORSCHE All
7 ZANIROLI/DA SILVA MITSUBISHI Fra
8 GABREAU/PIPAT RANGE ROVER Fra
9 BOUCHET/VILLEPIGUE TOYOTA Fra
10 GIERST/BOUVY RANGE ROVER Bel
11 BELVEZE/GIRAUD MITSUBISHI Fra
12 KORO/POITOU TOYOTA Fra
13 MICHEL/DUVERNE MITSUBISHI Fra
14 MARAUX/GAILLARD MERCEDES Fra
15 BISSON/BORIE MERCEDES Fra
16 DE DEYNE/JAMAR RANGE ROVER Bel
17 HOUOT/BONDENET NISSAN Bel
18 LESTRADE/GUILHELMEN RANGE ROVER Fra
19 RAGNOTTI/HEMARD RANGE ROVER Fra
20 DUPARD/SINGEOT ROVER    Fra
21 SCHURG/ADEN PUCH All
22 KALVAS/DI MERCURIO MERCEDES Fra
23 LECOQ/FOUCHET ROVER Fra
24 PEILLEX/VIGNE MITSUBISHI Fra
25 VISMARA/MINELLI MERCEDES Ita
26 DAYAK/DENIEUL LAND ROVER Nig
27 ARNOUX/BODET ARNOUX BUGG Fra
28 HEYER/WINKLER MAN All
29 SAVOLDELLI/ALBERTI LAND ROVER Ita
30 CANELLAS/FERRAN PEGASO Esp
31 BERGNA/CORBETTO MITSUBISHI Pe
32 BERNAU/BARTMANN MAN All
33 SUGAWARA/MARUYAMA MITSUBISHI    Jap
34 SEPPI/VON SOLDER MERCEDES Ita
35 VANNEVEL/FRAIKIN TOYOTA Bel
36 SORGHINI/BARDINI RANGE ROVER    Ita
37 WEBER/WANGER OPEL All
38 AUTISSIER/FOLLEFANT MERCEDES    Fra
39 VERNEY/DE BELABRE TOYOTA Fra
40 COLSOUL/LOPES OPEL Bel
41 SARTIAUX/COTTRET MITSUBISHI Fra
42 TIJSTERMAN/TIJSTERMAN MITSUBISHI Hol
43 LABARCHE/LABARCHE RANGE ROVER Fra
44 CASSEGRAIN/JUNCKER MITSUBISHI Fra
45 PAPADIMITRIOU/ROSVAL VOLVO Gre
46 SHINOZUKA/BOCANDE MITSUBISHI    Jap
47 MEYER/BLANCO-JAIME MITSUBISHI Fra
48 CANADO/PISSON RANGE ROVER Fra
49 DUBREUIL/DUPUIS TOYOTA Fra
50 JEANNIN/OSMOND MERCEDES Fra
51 GAFFURI/DANDEVILLE MERCEDES Fra
52 GUARATO/BENOIT MITSUBISHI Fra
53 CASTERA/EIREA TOYOTA    Fra
54 HOUSSAT/BRUBACH MERCEDES Fra
55 AUSALONI/PALLADINI RANGE ROVER Ita
56 CANEVALE/REPETTI ASTRA Ita
57 MOREE/PILLAULT RANGE ROVER Fra
58 BELOTTI/CONSONNI MERCEDES Ita
59 VERNHETTES/ROBIN LAND ROVER Fra
60 DUMONT/BARTHELOT MITSUBISHI Fra
61 GATTINGER/POHL MAN All
62 BOCHET/BARBIER TOYOTA Fra
63 MITSUMOTO/ALBRECHT TOYOTA Jap
64 OBERMEYER/HUBER MAN All
65 REVERCHON/LEBLOND MERCEDES Fra
66 SUSSBAUER/STABEL MAN    All
67 MORIN/LADAURADE MERCEDES Fra
68 DALLAVALLE/PONZINI ASTRA Ita
69 MILANOLO/FREYRE MERCEDES Fra
70 BOUNEY/ALIPHAT TOYOTA Fra
71 GUNTNER/FISCHER MAN All

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 NEVEU Cyril HONDA Fra
2 LALAY Gilles HONDA Fra
3 BALESTRIERI Andrea HONDA Ita
4 CHARBONNIER Thierry YAMAHA Fra
5 DE PETRI Alessandro HONDA Ita
6 ORIOLI Edy HONDA Ita
7 MARINONI Andrea YAMAHA Ita
8 HAU Eddy BMW All
9 FINDANNO Giampiero YAMAHA Ita
10 PICCO Franco    YAMAHA    Ita
11 MAS Carlos YAMAHA Esp
12 OLIVIER Jean-Claude YAMAHA Fra
13 MARINONI Gian-Paolo CAGIVA Ita
14 RAHIER Gaston BMW Bel
15 CHARLIAT François HONDA Fra
16 JOINEAU Philippe SUZUKI Fra
17 KIES Anne KTM Hol
18 PICARD Gilles CAGIVA    Fra
19 POLI Pierre-Marie YAMAHA Fra
20 SPIRA Alain HSC Bel
21 BOANO Roberto HONDA Ita
22 LOIZEAUX Raymond BMW    Fra
23 JORMAKKA Tarmo YAMAHA Fin
24 VALADON Dominique BARIGO Fra
25 SALVADOR Gilles SUZUKI Fra
26 GERMANETTI Francesco    YAMAHA Ita
27 PASCUAL Bernard YAMAHA Fra
28 PAINEAU Gérard YAMAHA Fra
29 NAKAMURA Hiroshi HONDA Jap

1987
PARIS - ALGIERS - DAKAR

9 PARIS -ALGIERS - DAKAR
• Start: 1 January 1987 from Versailles (Place d'Armes)
• Finish: 22 January 1987 in Dakar (Rose Lake)
• Rest: 11 January 1987 in Agadez
• Length of rally: 13,000 km
• Number of kilometers of special: 8,315 km
• Countries crossed: France, Algeria, Niger, Mali,
Mauritania, Senegal

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 539
- At the start: 312 cars
154 motorcycles 73 trucks
- At the finish: 124 véhicles
including  98 cars/trucks 26 motorcycles

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS:
Ari Vatanen/Bernard Giroux (Fin) PEUGEOT 205
OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS:
Cyril Neveu (Fra) HONDA NXR
OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS:
De Rooy/Geusens/Van (Hol) DAF

MAJOR COMPETITORS
Motorcycle
• Honda : Lalay, Neveu,Terruzi, Balestrieri
• Yamaha : Charbonnier, Mass, Grasso, Picco, Bacou
• Cagiva : De Petri, Auriol, Picard, Gualdi
• BMW : Rahier, Findanno
• Suzuki: Rinaldi, Salvador
• Range Rover: Tambay-Lemoyne, Raymondis-Ferret,
Zaniroli-Lopes, Colsoul-Bouvy
• Lada : Ickx-Tarin, Lartigue-Roy
• Mistubishi Pajero : Cowan-Syer, Da Silva-Oligo,
Rigal-Maingret,
• Toyota : Pescarolo-Fourticq, Gabreau-Gabbay
• Majorette: Briavoine-Trossat
• Peugeot proto : les Freres Marreau
Car
Truck
• DAF : De Rooy-Geusens-Van
• Peugeot 205 : Vatanen-Giroux, Mehta-Toughty, Zanussi-Arena

HIGLIGHTS
• Groine goes crew: with his Mercedes 87 prototype, Georges Groine gives up racing this year to devote himself to the quick
service team of the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16.
• Peugeot, the novice: Peugeot arrives in full force at the rally with Jean Todt at the helm, 205 Turbo 16 cars and a large
staff.
• Vatanen too: the first appearance for the Finnish driver Ari Vatanen, as well as for Patrick Tambay.
• Ickx shuffles his deck: Belgian Jacky Ickx is no longer competing in a Porsche, but in a Lada, and not with Claude
Brasseur but with Christian Tarin.
• Fetishists: the Dakar's former winners are superstitious and faithful to their old rally numbers. "95" for Cyril Neveu, "185" for
Jacky Ickx, "193" for Zaniroli, "100" for Auriol and "101" for Rahier. It should be noted that Vatanen choose "205" for his first
attempt.
• Take a chance..and win big if you are Peugeot and Vatanen, who hit the jackpot on their first try in the race.
• Is five enough? Cyril Neveu wins his fifth rally on his Honda bike, after a wrenching duel with Auriol. Who will be able to
stop him?

THE ROUTE
Prologue : Cergy (6,7 km)
1 étape: Versailles - Barcelone (liaison 1200 km)    
2 étape: Alger - Ghardaia (liaison 623 km)
3 étape: Ghardaia - El Golea (455 km dont 256 km de spéciale)  
4 étape: El Golea - In Salah (679 km dont 492 km de spéciale)
5 étape: In Salah - Tamanrasset (819 km dont 560 km de spéciale)
6 étape: Tamanrasset - Arlit (705 km dont 648 km de spéciale)
7 étape: Arlit - Arbre Thierry Sabine (712 km dont 692 km de spéciale)
8 étape: Arbre Thierry Sabine - Dirkou (506 km)
9 étape: Dirkou - Agadez (702 km de spéciale)
10 étape: Agadez - Tahoua (518 km dont 358 km de spéciale)
11 étape: Tahoua - Niamey (600 km dont 350 km de spéciale)
12 étape: Niamey - Gao (645 km dont 500 km de spéciale)
13 étape: Gao - Tombouctou (418 km de spéciale)
14 etape: Tombouctou - Nema (590 km de spéciale)
15 etape: Nema - Tidjikja (735 km dont 458 km de spéciale)
16 etape: Tidjikja - Atar (458 km dont 343 km de spéciale)
17 etape: Atar - Nouadhibou (571 km dont 525 km de spéciale)
18 étape: Nouadhibou - Richard Toll (716 km dont 486 km de spéciale)
19 étape: Richard Toll - Saint-Louis (357 km)
20 étape: La sucrerie du Sénégal (15 km de spéciale) Richard Toll-Dara (160 km de spéciale) Dara-Saint-Louis (liaison 182 km) étape : Saint-Louis - Dakar (250 km de spéciale)

THE RACE
Prologue : Cergy-Pontoise (6.7 km)
498 vehicles embark on an artificial piste dug out in sweeping strokes by bulldozers and quickly transformed into a mud hole. Cowan and Syer, at the wheel of a Mitsubishi Pajero, arrive the fastest. Lalay (Honda) and De Rooy (DAF) are already the most effective.
• 1st and 2nd stages: Versailles - Barcelone - Algiers - Ghardaia (liaison 1823 km)
• 3rd stage: Ghardaia - El Golea (455 km)
Over the 256 km of the first special of the rally, between Ouarga and Goudron, the Kenyan Shekhar Mehta wins the scratch helming his 205 Turbo 16. Italian Balestrieri does the same on his Hondo motorcycle.
• 4th stage: El Golea - In Salah (679 km)
Mehta turns in a repeat performance and nests at the top of the overall standings. Mired in 274th place two days earlier, Vatanen finishes second and continues his climb in the overall standings. For the bikes, Cyril Neveu, a four-time Dakar champion, has taken charge of operations. The special is won by De Petri's Cagiva.
• 5th stage: In Salah - Tamanrasset (819 km)
Another day, and the race goes on with Mehta winning for cars and Petri for motorcycles. Neveu passes Lalay in the overall motorcycle standings while Mehta leads in the car class ahead of Raymondis's Range Rover.
• 6th stage: Tamanrasset - Arlit (705 km)
Desert experience lets Mehta down as he gets lost and sacrifices an hour. Zaniroli seizes the opportunity to take over the overall top spot over Vatanen, who wins his first special. Peugeout counts its blessings with four victories in four specials. Auriol "The African" wins the scratch and inflicts more than 16 minutes on Italy's Findanno. Nothing changes for Cyril Neveu, who is still dominating the motorcycle race.
• 7th stage: Arlit - Thierry Sabine Tree (712 km)
The Rigal-Maingret tandem on a Mitsubishi finally steals Peugeot's thunder. Or almost anyway, since the world's top rally champion, Ari Vatanen, has taken control over all the specialists. Another scratch for Auriol, who ascends to the number two position in the overall standings.
• 8th stage: Thierry Sabine Tree - Dirkou (506 km)
Belgian Ickx and Britain's Cowan, trapped in the sand, are the primary victims of a day marked by the second straight scratch for Rigal. More Peugeot predominance, with Vatanen, Zanussi and Mehta, taking slots 2, 3 and 4. On bikes, Lalay finishes ahead of Auriol and Neveu. The overall standings see no changes. The day is memorable for the homage paid to Thierry Sabine, at the foot of the lost tree where his ashes were scattered.
• 9th stage: Dirkou - Agadez (ss 702 km)
The fifth win for Peugeot and the second for Vatanen. The Finn is still ahead of Zaniroli in the overall standings.
As for the motorcycle class, Rahier secures his first scratch and settles into third place overall behind Neveu and Auriol.
• 10th stage: Agadez - Tahoua (518 km)
Mehta rediscovers his winning ways and Rahier also repeats. There are no changes in the general rankings.
• 11th stage: Tahoua - Niamey (600 km)
Peugeot hits a triple as Italy's Zanussi wins. Another Italian, Picco finishes ahead of the rest on his Yamaha. Nicole Bassot is the only woman remaining in the motorcycle competition. The Marreau brothers quit the race at Niamey.
• 12th stage: Niamey - Gao (645 km)
A major first for F1 driver, Patrick Tambay, who kicks up a lot of dust and wins his first scratch in the Dakar. On the downside, Jacky Ickx gives up on the last Lada still in the race. Terruzzi and his bike score a win, but the diabolical trio of Neveu, Auriol and Rahier cannot be budges from the top of the standings.
• 13th stage: Gao - Timbuktu (ss 418 km)
Still on the attack, Vatanen avoids near disaster. The flying Finn, victim of a roll-over, loses half of his progress in the rankings. Rahier, Auriol and Neveu arrive in just that order. In the overall standings, it is the same three, but in reverse order.
• 14th stage: Timbuktu - Nema (ss 590 km)
Auriol is on the run. In a maze of parallel pistes, the Cagiva driver speeds ahead of all the others and grabs the lead in the overall standings with more than 30 minutes on Neveu. Mehta wins scores his sixth special. In the truck class, De Rooy continues to rock the race and in the overall standings has amassed an 11-hour lead over Loprais's Tatra.
• 15th stage: Nema - Tidjikja (735 km)
Another scratch for Auriol, who has not ceased to leave his mark on the race. Cyril Neveu seems unable to believe his eyes and loses 41 minutes in this special. The Tambay-Lemoyne duo, winning their second scratch, beat out the Vatanen-Giroux 205.
• 16th stage: Tidjikja - Atar (458 km)
A wall of dunes and a pass that is not so easy to find: the co-pilots are put to the test. In this navigational puzzle, the leaders lose their way, but remain unharmed in terms of the overall standings. Except for the Ratet/Vantouroux pair, sixth in the special with their Toyota, which is rocketed into third place overall and first in the Marathon category.
• 17th stage: Atar - Nouadhibou (571 km)
Shinozuka (Mitsubishi) and Picco (Yamaha) take the scratch. In the overall standings, Vatanen still has an hour's lead. Auriol is under pressure, as Neveu is now just 10 minutes behind.
• 18th stage: Nouadhibou - Richard Toll (716 km)
A third scratch for Tambay, who has finally found his African rhythm. Neveu, winner of the special, gains another 33 seconds on Auriol and is now just nine minutes behind the Cogiva pilot.
• 19th stage: Richard Toll - Saint-Louis (357 km)
Drama and emotion on the Dakar. Just 20 km from the finish, Auriol falls hard after hitting a tree stump. He breaks both his ankles, thereby losing all hope of victory. He finishes the stage in heroic fashion despite his injuries. So on the eve of the race's conclusion, Neveu takes the top spot. Vatanen continues to patiently stay the course and lets Zaniroli take the day's specials.
• 20dmeetape: Saint-Louis - Dakar
The heros of the day are Masuoka (Mitsubishi) and Bacou (Yamaha). The win the final two scratches of the 1987 edition. Peugeot and Vatanen are already part of the history of the rally for the way they dominated their first rally. As for Cyril Neveu, he wins his fifth Dakar title behind the handlebars of his Honda. De Rooy (DAF) blows away the truck competition with a more than 14-hour lead on his vehicle. Vassard finishes 14th overall but first in the motorcycle Marathon while for cars, the Ratet-Vantouroux Toyota team suffer the same fate.

• Stage victories

1 Cergy Pontoise Prologue Liaison 6,7 Cowan/Syer GB Mitsubishi Lalay Fra Honda
2 Versailles-Barcelone Ouargla-Goudron 1200
3 Alger-GhardaTa-EI Golea Chebaba-Fogaret 256 Mehta/Doughty Ken Peugeot Balestrieri    Ita Honda
4 El Golea-In Salah Khoenig-In Ecker 492 Mehta/Doughty Ken Peugeot    De Pétri Ita Honda
5 In Salah-Tamanrasset Tagahouhaout-Arlit 560 Mehta/Doughty Ken Peugeot De Pétri Ita Honda
6 Tamanrasset-Arlit Arlit-Texaco 648 Vatanen/Giroux Fin Peugeot Auriol Fra Cagiva
7 Arlit-Arbre Thierry Sabine Arbre Thierry Sabine-Dirkou 692 Rigal/Maingret Fra Mitsubishi Auriol Fra Cagiva
8 Arbre Thierry Sabine-Dirkou Dirkou-Anoumekerene 506 Rigal/Maingret Fra Mitsubishi Lalay Fra    Honda   
9 Dirkou-Agadez Agadez-Tchin Tabaradene 702 Vatanen/Giroux Fin Peugeot Rahier Bel BMW
10 Agadez-Tahoua Tahoua-Abala 358 Mehta/Doughty Ken Peugeot Rahier Bel BMW  
11 Tahoua-Niamey Mangaize-Gao 350 Zanussi/Arena Ita Peugeot Picco Ita Yamaha
12 Niamey-Gao Gao-Tombouctou 500 Tambay/Lemoyne Fra R Rover Terruzzi Ita Honda  
13 Gao-Tombouctou Tombouctou-Nema 418 Mehta/Doughty Ken Peugeot    Rahier Bel BMW  
14 Tombouctou-Nema Ayoun el Atrous-Tidjikja 590    Mehta/Doughty Ken Peugeot Auriol Fra Cagiva
15 Nema-Tidjikja Tidjikja-Chinguetti 458 Tambay/Lemoyne Fra R Rover Auriol Fra Cagiva
16 Tidjikja-Atar PK 46-Nouadhibou 343 Boussier/Faucher Fra R Rover Charbonnier Fra Yamaha  
17 Atar-Nouadhibou Nouadhibou-Nouakchott 525 Shinozuka/Fenouil Jap Mitsubishi Picco Ita    Yamaha  
18 Nouadhibou-Richard Toll La Sucrerie du Sénégal 486 Tambay/Lemoyne Fra R Rover Neveu Fra Honda  
19 Richard Toll-Saint Louis Richard Toll-Dara 15 Vatanen/Giroux Fin Peugeot Neveu Fra Honda  
19 Richard Toll-Saint Louis 160    Masuoka/Takahashi Jap Mitsubishi Boudou    Fra BMW
20 Saint Louis-Dakar Saint-Louis-Dakar 250 Masuoka/Takahashi Jap Mitsubishi Rahier Bel BMW

OVERALL CAR-TRUCK STANDINGS
1 VATANEN/GIROUX PEUGEOT Fin
2 ZANIROLI/LOPES RANGE ROVER Fra
3 SHINOZUKA/FENOUIL MITSUBISHI Jap
4 RATET/VANTOUROUX TOYOTA Fra
5 MEHTA/DOUGHTY PEUGEOT    Ken
6 SEPPI/ARRIVABENE MERCEDES Ita
7 CANELLAS/FERRAN RANGE ROVER Esp
8 COWAN/SYER MITSUBISHI    GB
9 PRIETO/TERMENS NISSAN    Esp
10 PORCAR/TOURINAN RANGE ROVER Esp
11 DE ROOY/GEUSENS/VAN DAF Hol
12 TIJSTERMAN/TIJSTERMAN MITSUBISHI Hol
13 DELADRIRER/BERTHUEL RANGE ROVER Bel
14 BOUSSIER/FOUCHER LAND ROVER    Fra
15 SARRAZIN/TROUBLE TOYOTA Fra
16 BOUCHET/VILLEPIGUE TOYOTA Fra
17 HOUOT/BONDENET TOYOTA Fra
18 MICHEL/THOMAS MITSUBISHI Fra
19 ISHIHARA/YOKOTA TOYOTA Jap
20 TAMBAY/LEMOYNE RANGE ROVER Fra
21 MITATY/DELETANG MERCEDES Fra
22 BOIN/LADAURADE PEUGEOT Fra
23 HERVE/RIVIERE TOYOTA    Fra
24 KORO/BERLIET TOYOTA    Fra
25 LIGNERES/CHAMINADE MITSUBISHI Fra
26 TROSSAT/BRIAVOINE MAJORE Fra
27 BELVEZE/GIRAUD MITSUBISHI Fra
28 LOPRAIS/KRPEC/STACHU TATRA Tch
29 MASUOKA/TAKAHASHI MITSUBISHI    Jap
30 MILLER/RACIONERO RANGE ROVER    GB
31 CAILLON/FOUCHET RANGE ROVER    Fra
32 EL ABDI.DUCHAUSSOY TOYOTA Fra
33 MOSKAL/JOKLIK/ZALESK LIAZ Tch
34 CADORET/GICQUEL/GUIL MERCEDES Fra
35 PASCAL/URBIHA LAND ROVER Fra
36 SERVAN/DE CASTRO MERCEDES Fra
37 VILLA/DELFINO MERCEDES Ita
38 ANQUETIL/LACAZE LAND ROVER Fra
39 LAVILLE/TROUPEL TOYOTA Fra
40 FONTENAY/MUSMARRA MITSUBISHI    Fra
41 VISMARA/POZZETTO/MIN MERCEDES Ita
42 LAISNEY/GOBEAUX RANGE ROVER    Fra
43 SEGONNE/CHAMPART MERCEDES Fra
44 KUBOTA/YAMAMOTO TOYOTA Jap
45 BEGGI/SAVIO MITSUBISHI Ita
46 PAINVIN/GIRARD RANGE ROVER Fra
47 GROINE/MALFERIOL/GRA MERCEDES Fra
48 ALIPHAT/BOUNEY TOYOTA Fra
49 BOCHET/DELETTRE LAND ROVER Fra
50 COTEL/VINCENT BUGGY Fra
51 GIMBRE/LANGLOIS MERCEDES Fra
52 THIJS/VELDEMAN/THIJS MERCEDES Bel
53 LEONARD/CHAMBON/PERA MERCEDES Fra
54 MORITZ/ELENBAAS DAI HAT Hol
55 MITCHELL/MARTINEZ TOYOTA Fra
56 DIEKER/KETELAARS/TES DAF Hol
57 ESPITALLIER/WEHRLE TOYOTA Fra
58 IVENS/BONNET TOYOTA    Fra
59 SERRIER/GEZ PHILIPPE TOYOTA    Fra
60 FERRI/BAUMGARTNER/RI MERCEDES Fra
61 DUSSER/DEROUARD LAND ROVER Fra
62 BELOTTI/PEZZOTTA MERCEDES Ita
63 TRAGLIO/PIO MERCEDES    Ita
64 CONSONNI/TRIPODI MERCEDES Ita
65 VANMARIS/VAN LOEVEZI DAF Fra
66 GRASSI/BELCASTRO MERCEDES Ita
67 BOCANDE/DE ROISSARD MITSUBISHI Fra
68 BOUILLE/LARDEAU/GIRA TATRA Fra
69 GERMANETTI/ANFOSSI MITSUBISHI Ita
70 RAIMONDI/RICHARD/KER TATRA Fra
71 MARTINEZ/VERSINO/MAG MERCEDES Fra
72 KAHANEK/MERINSKY/BUC TATRA Tch
73 SMULEVICI/FALAISE MITSUBISHI    Fra
74 LALEU/LEVIEUX MERCEDES Fra
75 ROUSSEL/FRANCIOLI MERCEDES Fra
76 MARSAULT/CABRAL RANGE ROVER    Fra
77 JOUBERT/DALCHE MERCEDES Fra
78 SILLARD/VIDAL MITSUBISHI Fra
79 MEIGNEN/LUTENAUER MERCEDES Fra
80 DEL VAL/SIEGENTHALER PEGASO    Esp
81 HOUSSAT/LACOUR/MAIMO MERCEDES Fra
82 MILANOLO/KLEIN/GERAR MERCEDES Fra
83 TRAVAGLIA/MARIANO/SO MERCEDES Ita
84 KIES/GRAAFSTRA MERCEDES Hol
85 ROSSI/AIMONETTI MITSUBISHI Ita
86 BOSONNET/BROGLIA/MON MERCEDES Fra
87 SUGAWARA/MARUYAMA MERCEDES Fra
88 BERTRY/DAGUZAN MITSUBISHI Jap
89 LAFFONT/LEVINE MITSUBISHI Fra
90 LENORMAND/LENORMAND MERCEDES    Fra
91 BRUBACH/BOUTEVILLAIN MITSUBISHI Fra
92 BOUREMAD/BOURGOIN MERCEDES Fra
93 LACOURT/MOLLET/AIGUI MITSUBISHI Fra
94 GROUARD/MICHARD MAN    Fra
95 SAVARY/VENTURINI/SCH TOYOTA    Fra
96 BOSTEELS/DESRUMEAUX MERCEDES    Fra
97 CHAUMONT/SCANDELLA/B TOYOTA    Fra
98 GRANJON/LATOUR/CLERI MAN Fra

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 NEVEU Fra HONDA
2 ORIOLI Ita HONDA
3 RAHIER Bel BMW
4 PICCO Ita YAMAHA
5 MAS CARLOS Esp YAMAHA
6 CHARLIAT Fra HONDA
7 BACOU Fra YAMAHA
8 CHARBONNIER Fra YAMAHA
9 JOINEAU Fra SUZUKI
10 KARSMAKERS Hol HONDA
11 OLIVIER Fra YAMAHA
12 MALETTI Ita YAMAHA
13 GIATTI Fra PONOMA
14 VASSARD Fra HONDA
15 LOIZEAUX Fra BMW
16 BOUDOU Fra BMW
17 WINKLER Ita HONDA
18 PIBERNAT Esp SUZUKI
19 FERNANDEZ Esp SUZUKI
20 GUALINI Ita YAMAHA

21 COURTOIS Fra HONDA

22 LY ALSSANE Sen YAMAHA
23 DEWILDE SUZUKI
24 LAROUBY HONDA
25 MENIL Fra BMW
26 CAILLOU Fra KAWASAKI

1988
PARIS - ALGIERS - DAKAR

10th PARIS - ALGIERS - DAKAR
• Start: 1 January 1988 from Versailles (Place d'Armes)
• Finish: 22 January 1988 in Dakar (Rose Lake)
• Rest: 11 January 1988 in Agadez
• Length of rally: 12,874 km
• Number of kilometers of specials: 6,605 km
• Countries crossed: France, Algeria, Niger, Mali,
Mauritania, Senegal

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 603
- At the start: 311 cars
183 motorcycles 109 trucks
- At the finish: 151 véhicles
dont 117 cars/trucks 34 motorcycles

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS:
Juha Kankkunen /Piironen (Fin) PEUGEOT 205
OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS:
Edi Orioli (Ita) HONDA NXR
OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS:
Loprais/Stachura/Ingmuck (Rtc) TATRA

MAJOR COMPETITORS
Motorcycle
• Yamaha : Charbonnier, Olivier, Peterhansel,
Malherbe, Picco, Grasso, Menardo
• Suzuki: Rahier, Findanno, Huynen, Boudou
• Cagiva : Gualdi, Picard, De Petri, Bacou
• Honda : Morales, Charliat, Neveu, Lalay, Orioli,
Terruzi, Balestrieri
Car
• Rover Range : Tambay-Lemoyne, Zaniroli-Fenouil
• Peugeot 205 et 405 : Vatanen-Berglund, Kankkunen-
Piironen, Pescarolo-Fourticq, Ambrosino-Guehennec
• Mitsubishi: Cowan-Syer, Lartigue-Maingret,
Shinozuka-Magne
• Porsche Foltene : Laffite-Landereau, Jabouille-Levent
• Buggy Kouros : Auriol, Lapeyre
Truck
• DAF : De Rooy-Geusens
• Pegaso : Servia-Sabater-Juncosa

• HIGHLIGHTS
That makes 10: tenth appearance for Corinne Koppenhague who leaves this year on a Land Rover. Italy in full force: a large contingency of Italian motorcyclists with Picco, Balestrieri, Grasso, Orioli, Winkler, Medardo, Pellegrinelli, and Terruzi as the more notable names on the official teams. They all have a fair shot at a place on the podium. From water to sand: an initial appearance for sailors Lionel Péan and LoTck Peyron.
From runways to desert sands: pilots Philippe Alliot and Jacques Laffite try their hand at the arid adventure. Peter takes flight: the year sees the first entry of a certain Stéphane Peterhansel riding a Yamaha bike. From the prologue to Dakar: there are three participants who have won the prologue and the final victory in Dakar: Neveu, Capito and De Rooy.
A car for a motorcycle: after his fall the previous year, Auriol gives up his motorcycle and takes off solo on a surprising buggy. Drobecq, Rigoni and Marc Joineau also trade in their two-wheels for a four-wheel. A first for Neveu: victim of a foot injury, Cyril Neveu, a five-time winner of the rally, is forced to withdraw after 10 consecutive appearances.
"Five": the number of specials cancels during this edition.
Gone with the wind: two stages are cancelled because of a terrible sand-blowing wind that forces the organizers to smooth out the course.
• Did you say 603? 603 competitors embarked upon this 10th Dakar rally, a record that still stands today.

THE ROUTE
1 étape Prologue : Courdimanche (4 km)
2 étape : Alger - El Oued (liaison 600 km)
3 étape : El Oued - Hassi Messaoud (594 km dont 250 km de spéciale)
4 étape : Hassi Messaoud - Bordj Omar Driss (608 km)
5 étape : Bordj Omar Driss - Tamanrasset (987 km dont 800 km de spéciale)  
6 étape : Tamanrasset-Djanet (637 km dont 530 km de spéciale)
7 étape : Djanet - Djado (liaison 742 km)
8 étape : Djado - Agadez (746 km de spéciale)
9 étape : Agadez - Niamey (819 km dont 252 km de spéciale)
10 étape : Niamey - Kidal (646 km)
11 etape : Kidal - Tessalit (450 km de spéciale)
12 étape : Tessalit - Lemjebir (698 km de spéciale)
13 étape : Lemjebir - Tombouctou (630 km de spéciale)
14 étape : Tombouctou - Bamako (676 km dont 378 km de spéciale)
15 étape : Bamako - Kayes (531 km dont 510 km de spéciale)
16 étape : Kayes - Moudjeria (530 km dont 282 km de spéciale)
17 étape : Moudjeria - Nouakchott (liaison 647 km)
18 étape : Nouakchott - Richard Toll (liaison 510 km)
19 étape : Richard Toll - Dakar (300 km dont 100 km de spéciale)

• Prologue : Courdimanche (4 km)
Once again, the prologue at Cergy Pontoise takes place in a veritable mud pit. Lartigue-Maingret of Mitsubishi and Huynen for Suzuki nevertheless manage to make the best of it. For trucks, Bernau-Bartman-Kluge dominate with their MAN.
• 1st and 2nd stages: Algiers - El Oued - Hassi Messaoud
The return of Ari.. Vatanen wins the first special in the sand. Gaston Rahier shines on his motorcycle. Hubert Auriol, at the wheel of his buggy, is forced to quite the race during the first African special. A first special that also sees the withdrawal of 163 other competitors.
• 3rd stage: Hassi Messaoud - Bordj Omar Driss (608 km)
The crossing of the great eastern erg entering the Tinrhert plateau is supposed to be a calm step. However, favorites like Tambay, Ickx, Kankkunen and Neveu are left in the dust.
• 4th stage: Bordj Omar Driss - Tamanrasset (987 km)
Vatanen and Picco win the scratches in this, the longest stage of the rally. Picco moves into the overall lead. Pescarolo the unlucky rolls his car. After losing his support truck, Laffite gives up.
• 5th stage: Tamanrasset - Djanet (637 km)
On the smugglers' route, the Peugeot cars score a Finnish double with respectively Vatanen and Kankkunen. Picco and Lalay, respectively first and second in the special, occupy the same positions in the overall standings.
• 6th stage: Djanet - Djado (liaison 742 km)
This special, nicknamed "Hell", is cancelled. The kerosene refueling trucks could not reach their positions.
• 7th stage: Djado - Agadez (746 km of special)
It is the end of the dry spell for Pescarolo, who finally wins a scratch. Spaniard Mas beats out the other motorcyclists. Picco solidifies his lead amongst the two-wheelers while the two Finns, Vatanen followed by Kankkunen, are at the top of the heap in the car class.
• 8th stage: Agadez - Niamey (819 km)
After Spain, it is Italy's turn to be honored. Indeed, Italian motorcyclist Terruzzi wins the scratch. Cyril Neveu is forced to quit the Dakar because of a foot injury, marking his first ever withdrawal. As for the cars, Mitsubishi enjoys fine performances from Colsoul and Masuoka, who achieve a double in the dust of the Sahel. In the truck class, following the death of a crew member the day before, De Rooy announces his withdrawal from the rally.
• 9th stage: Niamey - Kidal (646 km)
Following logistical and diplomatic problems with the Italian government, only the special is raced.
• 10th stage: Kidal - Tessalit (ss 450 km)
Orioli turns in a victory in the day's scratch and takes advantage of Picco's navigation problems to take the top spot in the rally. As for the cars, the Bouchet-Villepigue Range Rover team pulls in ahead of Riviere-Herve of Toyota.
• 11th stage: Tessalit - Lemjebir (ss 698 km)
Patrick Tambay impresses by literally flying over the dunes. Peugeot has a big scare as Vatanen and Kankkunen lose their way. They finish more than 2.5 hours behind Tambay. Yet the overall standings are not affected. The motorcycle race is much closer as Rahier edges out Orioli and Joineau be a few minutes.
• 12th stage: Lemjebir - Timbuktu (ss 630 km)
Pescarolo and his "sorry luck" leaves their misfortunes behind on the route. He is the first to arrive at Timbuktu, thereby allowing Peugeot to accomplish a hat trick. In the motorcycle class, Charbonnier and Lalay take the top two slots in the special.
• 13th stage: Timbuktu - Bamako (676 km)
Tambay wins the scrarch and Peterhansel dominates on his bike. Vatanen and Orioli are still solid leaders in the overall standings.
• 14th stage: Bamako - Kayes (531 km)
A theatrical flourish in Bamako! Ari Vatanen's Peugeot disappears. The consequences are dramatic for the Finn, who must automatically be disqualified because he does not arrive within 30 minutes of his departure time. Once the vehicle is found, he finishes eighth in a special won by Kankkuken, but remains suspended by a decision by the authorities. Italy's Terruzzi wins the scratch among motorcyclists.
• 15th stage: Kayes - Moudjeria (530 km)
Vatanen is disqualified but Jean Todt appeals the decision. The day's special is once again dominated by Pescarolo. Spaniard Mas is victorious on his bike. Orioli and Kankkunen are the leaders in the overall rankings.
• 16th stage: Moudjeria - Nouakchott (liaison 647 km)
The race is a once again cancelled because of rising sand.
• 17th stage: Nouakchott - Richard Toll (liaison 510 km)
Yet again the wind gets the better of the stage.
• 19th stage: Richard Toll - Dakar (300 km)
151 survivors arrive on the beach: 34 motorcycles and 117 cars/trucks. Deladriere-Berthuel and Ambrosino-Guehennec take the honors. They win the beach specials in their cars. Among the bikers, Bacou refuses tos hare and wins both times. Orioli on his motorcyle and Kankkunen-Piironen in their car sit at the top of the overall standings. Loprais-Stachura-Ingmuck wins the truck title in his Tatra. In the marathon category, Riviere-Herve of Toyota and Hau of BMW are top dogs.

• Stage victories Etape
Prologue 4 Lartigue/Maingret Fra Mitsubishi Huynen Bel Suzuki
1 Courdimanche Liaison    600
2 Alger-El Oued Sahan Berry - Bir Larache 250 Vatanen/Berglund Fin Peugeot Rahier Bel Suzuki
3 El Oued-Hassi Messaoud Pipe 30-Station TRT 287 Etape neutralisée
4 Hassi Messaoud-Bordj Omar Driss Bordj Omar riss - In Ecker 800 Vatanen/Berglund Fin Peugeot Picco Ita    Yamaha
5 Bordj Omar Driss-Tamanrasset Tahifet-Djanet 530 Vatanen/Berglund Fin Peugeot    Picco Ita Yamaha
6 Tamanrasset-Djanet Liaison 742
7 Djanet-Djado Djado-Arlit 688 Pescarolo/Fourticq Fra Peugeot Mas It Yamaha
8 Djado-Arlit Arlit-Agadez 746 Vatanen/Berglund    Fin Peugeot Orioli Honda
9 Arlit-Agadez Tahoua-Itchigin 252 Colsoul/Lopes Bel Mitsubishi    Terruzzi Ita Honda
10 Agadez-Niamey Liaison 646
11 Niamey-Kidal Kidal-Tessalit 450 Bouchet/Villepigue Fra R Rover Orioli Ita Honda
12 Kidal-Tessalit Tessalit-Lemjebir 698    Tambay/Lemoyne Fra R Rover Rahier Bel Suzuki
13 Tessalit-Lemjebir Lemjebir-Tombouctou 630 Pescarolo/Fourticq    Fra Peugeot Charbonnier    Fra Yamaha
14 Lemjebir-Tombouctou Tombouctou-Nampala 378 Tambay/Lemoyne Fra R Rover Peterhansel Fra Yamaha
15 Tombouctou-Bamako Kati-Kayes    510 Kankkunen/Piironen Fin Peugeot Terruzzi Ita    Honda
16 Bamako-Kayes Kayes-Kiffa 282    Pescarolo/Fourticq Fra    Peugeot    Mas Esp    Yamaha
17 Kayes-Moudjeria Liaison 674
18 Moudjeria-Nouakchott Liaison    510
19 Nouakchott-Richard Toll M'Boro-Kayar 50 Deladriere/Berthuel    Bel Proto Euro Bacou Fra Cagiva
20 Richard Toll-Dakar Kayar-Dakar 50 Ambrosino/Guehennec Fra Peugeot Bacou Fra Cagiva

OVERALL CAR-TRUCK STANDINGS
1 KANKKUNEN/PIRONEN PEUGEOT Fin
2 SHINOZUKA/MAGNE MITSUBISHI Jap
3 TAMBAY/LEMOYNE RANGE ROVER Fra
4 SMITH/FIEUW RANGE ROVER Usa
5 MILLER/SIEGENTHALER RANGE ROVER Ken
6 AMBROSINO/GUEHENNEC PEUGEOT Fra
7 RABET/VANTOUROUX TOYOTA Fra
8 TIJSTERMANN/TIJSTERMANN MITSUBISHI Hol
9 DELADRIRER/BERTHUEL PROTO Bel
10 RIVIERE/HERVE TOYOTA    Fra
11 DUPARD/BOCANDE RANGE ROVER Fra
12 FONTENAY/B MUSMARA MITSUBISHI Fra
13 MARREAU/MARREAU MITSUBISHI Fra
14 RAYMONDIS/CANO RANGE ROVER Fra
15 SARRAZIN/TROUBLE TOYOTA Fra
16 BELVEZE/GIRAUD MITSUBISHI Fra
17 DESSOUDE/LERAN NISSAN Fra
18 PESCAROLO/FOURTICO PEUGEOT Fra
19 LOPRAIS/STACHURA/MUCK TATRA    Tch
20 THOMASSE/GAUDIN MITSUBISHI Fra
21 MOSKAL/VOJTISEK/ZALESKY LIAZ    Tch
22 FOUGEROUSSE/PINON TOYOTA Fra
23 RICARD/MARCHEIX TOYOTA Fra
24 COLSOUL/LOPES MITSUBISHI Bel
25 CADI/DOUAUD RENAULT    Fra
26 GAVIOT/JOUFFRAY TOYOTA Fra
27 BERNAU/BARTMAN/KLUGE    MAN All
28 BOIN/MAIMON    PEUGEOT    Fra
29 VISMARA/MINELLI LAND ROVER Ita
30 FRANQUESA/ESCARTIN RANGE ROVER Esp
31 GUARATO/BENOIT MITSUBISHI Fra
32 CHARMASSON/GAUDY TOYOTA Fra
33 POIRAULT/TARTARIN TOYOTA Fra
34 BOUNEY/ALIPHAT TOYOTA Fra
35 SERRIER/SAFON/UBAT TOYOTA Fra
36 DARROUX/WEHRLE TOYOTA Fra
37 BARRAUT/SEDINSKY TOYOTA Fra
38 ICKX/TARIN LADA Bel
39 FAUCHER/PEIGNE RANGE ROVER Fra
40 DA SILVA/OLIGO MITSUBISHI Fra
41 TABALA/ESCUYER MITSUBISHI Fra
42 DROBECQ/GAUME RANGE ROVER Fra
43 PORCAR/TOURINAN LAND ROVER Esp
44 KUTOBA/YOKOTA TOYOTA    Jap
45 MAIGRET/PICOT PEUGEOT Fra
46 NEMOTO/EMIKO    TOYOTA    Jap
47 BOUCHET/VILLEPIGUE RANGE ROVER Fra
48 LAUNIER/RIGONI RANGE ROVER Fra
49 NICOLAI/VELDEMAN MITSUBISHI    Bel
50 JOINEAU BUGGY Fra
51 CHIARAVITA/CLATOT LAND ROVER    Fra
52 HOUSSAT/DE SAULIEU/BOTTARO PERLIN Fra
53 FAYETTE/RENAUD TOYOTA Fra
54 CABANIOLS/TREVILLOT TOYOTA Fra
55 CAILLON/FOUCHET RANGE ROVER    Fra
56 BERTRY/MARTIN MITSUBISHI Fra
57 REVERCHON/BIAGINI/MATIJA MERCEDES Fra
58 PEZZOTA/FORCHINI MERCEDES Ita
59 BECAR/EL-FODIL TOYOTA Fra
60 SARRAZIN/DUCASSOU TOYOTA Fra
61 THIRON/POZZNIAKOFF MITSUBISHI Fra
62 VERNHETTES/LIAUD RANGE ROVER    Fra
63 RAYNAL/SAKIROFF TOYOTA Fra
64 BOCHET/DELETTRE LAND ROVER Fra
65 GROINE/MALFERIOL/DELMAS MERCEDES Fra
66 BINNING/KORBER MERCEDES All
67 DAVOY/ALLARD TOYOTA    Fra
68 SIGNER/BREUNINGER/VAN SAURMA MAN Sui
69 MARTINEZ/BROGLIA/MAINGRET MERCEDES Fra
70 LLADO/TERMENS NISSAN    Esp
71 GRANJON/MARECHAL/MAURICE MERCEDES Fra
72 LAFON/DUCASSE TOYOTA    Fra
73 GIMBRE/THOMAS MERCEDES Fra
74 FRETEL/THEOLEYRE RANGE ROVER    Fra
75 OBERMEYER/HEFNER/DREISSIG MAN All
76 BLUM/DEREIMS TOYOTA    Fra
77 CHASSAGNON/CHASSAGNON TOYOTA    Fra
78 PIATEK/LE MAGUERESSE TATRA Fra
79 ANCEMENT/BOURGIN MERCEDES Fra
80 ALCARAZ/GREVESSE TOYOTA Fra
81 BESSAYE/BROSSEAU TOYOTA Fra
82 PETIT/GEORGE MERCEDES Fra
83 LENORMAND/LENORMAND MITSUBISHI Fra
84 DOIZE/ANCOURT LAND ROVER Fra
85 HABER/BARBIER MERCEDES Fra
86 RAIMONDI/NEUM/TETREL TATRA Fra
87 REININGER/REIF STEYR    Aut
88 CADORET/GUILLOUX/MOREAU MERCEDES Fra
89 JORMAKKA/TUOMINEN MITSUBISHI    Fin
90 GAFFURI/MAZE MERCEDES Fra
91 SMULEVICI/DELLI/ZOTTI MITSUBISHI Fra
92 MELOCCO/HUMILY MERCEDES Fra
93 DUCHAUSSOY/BOULAY TOYOTA Fra
94 NAGELER/NAGELER MERCEDES Aut
95 POZZOLI/POZZOLI RANGE ROVER Ita
96 ROSSI/DEL PRETE/BIASION MERCEDES Ita
97 VAN DAMME/CNUDDE MAZDA Bel
98 VERSINO/DEBLANDRE/VIARDOT MERCEDES Fra
99 BRUZZI/PONZINI MERCEDES Ita
100 LALEU/LEVIEUX MERCEDES Fra
101 MORLAUX/RODELLAR MITSUBISHI    Fra
102 SHIBATA/MATSUI MITSUBISHI Jap
103 BRAKHOFF/FUSSINGER MITSUBISHI All
104 GOUVIEZ/MESPREUVE TOYOTA Fra
105 MOGLI/MUHR/CROTET MERCEDES    Fra
106 TRAVAGLIA/MARINONI/MERCATOLLI MERCEDES Ita
107 OMOTO/YAMADA TOYOTA    Jap
108 BRUBACH/VOLABEL/BLAISOT MERCEDES Fra
109 COTENTIN/SERAY RANGE ROVER    Fra
110 FISHER/SCHNEIDER/COLSOUL MERCEDES All
111 FAJTL/LOISEAU/CHEVALIER LIAZ Tch
112 DREYFUS/JOULAIN TOYOTA Fra
113 COTTRET/ALQUIER TOYOTA Fra
114 COUILLET/BURGANA/LAPLACE MERCEDES Fra
115 GAUTIER/GUILLARD/BOTTIN MERCEDES Fra
116 SAVARY/FUKS/SCHDEMANN MERCEDES Fra
117 BIZOUARD/GONIN MERCEDES Fra

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 ORIOLI HONDA    Ita
2 PICCO YAMAHA    Ita
3 LALAY HONDA Fra
4 MAS YAMAHA Esp
5 TERRUZZI HONDA Ita
6 GUALDI CAGIVA    Ita
7 OLIVIER YAMAHA Fra
8 FINDANNO SUZUKI Ita
9 RAHIER SUZUKI    Bel
10 BACOU CAGIVA    Fra
11 GIL YAMAHA Eso
12 HAU Eddy BMW/HP All
13 PASCUAL YAMAHA Fra
14 GUALINI SUZUKI Ita
15 REVEL YAMAHA    Fra
16 CHARBONNIER YAMAHA Fra
17 MEUNIER SUZUKI Fra
18 PETERHANSEL YAMAHA Fra
19 WINKLER HONDA Ita
20 BIRBES BMW/R    Ita
21 JOINEAU ECUREUIL Fra
22 FERNANDEZ SUZUKI Esp
23 HERNANDEZ SUZUKI Esp
24 LIGUE SUZUKI    Esp
25 SCHALBER BMW/GS All
26 GOFFOY YAMAHA Bel
27 COURTOIS HONDA Fra
28 ANDRE SUZUKI    Fra
29 POLI ECUREUIL Fra
30 BENNEROTTE PROTO Fra
31 ARCARONS MERLIN Esp
32 PESCHEUR YAMAHA Fra
33 AURIBAULT YAMAHA Fra
34 MAILLE YAMAHA Fra

1989
PARIS - TUNIS - DAKAR

11 PARIS -TUNIS - DAKAR
• Start: 25 December 1988 from Paris
(Porte de Versailles)
• Finish: 13 January 1989 in Dakar (Rose Lake)
• Rest: 3 January 1989 in Agadez
• Length of rally: 10,831 km
• Number of kilometers of specials: 6,605 km
• Countries crossed: France, Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali,
Guinea, Senegal

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 473
- At the start: 241 cars
155 motorcyles 77 assistance trucks
- At the finish: 209 véhicles
100 cars 60 motorcycles including 49 assistance trucks

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS:
Ari Vatanen /Berglund (Fin) PEUGEOT 405
OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS:
Gilles Lalay (Fra) HONDA NXR
OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS: No race this year

MAJOR COMPETITORS
Motorcycle
• Suzuki: Rahier, Charbonnier, Huynen, Bassot Nicole
• Honda Rothmans : Lalay, Morales, Magnaldi, Daures
• Cagiva : Orioli, Terruzzi, Picard, De Pétri, Merel
• Yamaha : Peterhansel, Findanno, Pascual, Mas
• Yamaha-Belgarda : Neveu, Picco, Marinoni
• Ecureuil proto : Bacou, Joineau, Poli
• Aprilla: Balestrieri

Car
• Peugeot-Pioneer 205 : Fréquelin-Fenouil,
Wambergue-Guéhennec
• Peugeot-Pioneer 405 : Vatanen-Berger, Ickx-Tarin
• Mistsubishi-Sonauto : Lartigue-Maingret, Cowan-
Delferrier, Da Silva-Thomas, Tambay-Lemoyne,
Marreau-Marreau
• Range Rover: Zaniroli-Andrié, Pescarolo-Fourticq
• Toyota : Gabreau-Gabbay, Ambrosino-Vantouroux
• Buggy : Cotel, Auriol, Gluck
• Nissan : Laffite-Landereau, Dessoude-Leran

HIGHLIGHTS
• Toyota to the 62nd power: with 62 vehicles Toyota is the most represented car brand ahead of British Leyland (53) and
Mitsubishi (52).
• Kawa throws in the towel: the Kawasaka team withdraws its motorcycles. The Nippon brand feels that they are not
technically reliable.
• Lalay after Auriol: motorcyclist Gilles Lalay inherits number "100", Hubert Auriol's favorite jersey. Will he enjoy the same
success?
• That makes 11... the Marreau brothers are on board for their 11th Paris-Dakar. Their car was the first to register for the
competition in 1978.
• A new "road-book": it was designed by Philippe Vassard, a participant in the 10 previous editions. His best finish in the
rally was second in 1982.
• From the sky to the desert: Peugeot and Yamaha use aviation-inspired navigation systems for the first time.

• Honda to the 75th power: Honday, with 75 racers on motorcycles, is the best represented make ahead of Suzuki (31) and
  Yamaha (30)
• A ten-franc victory: fearing an incident among his drivers, Jean Todt, the Peugeot boss, decides to randomly determine the
  rally's winner by tossing a ten-franc coin. The coin anoints Vatanen, who chose tails.
• Trucks are out: there are no trucks in this year's event following the drama caused by these monsters of the road the previous year.

17^th GRANADA - DAKAR

• Departure: 1st January 1995 from Grenada (Spain)
• Arrival: 15 January 1995 in Dakar (Lake Rose)
• Rest: 8 January 1995 in Zouerat (Mauritania)
• Length of rally: 10,109 km
• Number of special stage kilometres: 5,725 km
  • Countries crossed: Spain, Morocco, Mauritania,
    Guinea, Senegal
  • 
  NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 205
  -At the start: 86 cars
  95 motorcycles 24 trucks Assistance Plane this year
  - At the finish : 103 vehicles
  dont 58 cars
  27 motorcycles 18 trucks
  
  OVERALL STANDINGS FOR CARS:
  Lartigue/Périn (Fra) CITROËN ZX
  OVERALL STANDINGS FOR BIKES:
  Stéphane Peterhansel (Fra) YAMAHA
  OVERALL STANDINGS FOR TRUCKS:
  Loprais/Stachura/Kalina (Tch) TATRA
  
  MAIN COMPETITORS
  Motorcycle
  • Yamaha : Peterhansel, Castera, Laporte, Magnaldi,
  Olivier, Alliot, Sarron
  • Cagiva : Orioli, Arcarons, Mas, Gallardo
  • KTM : Kinigadner, Mayer
  • Honda : Brucy, Sainct, Meoni
  • BMW : Schek, Loizeaux
  Car
  • Citroën : Vatanen-Picard, Lartigue-Périn, Salonen-
  Gallagher, Servia-Puig
  • Mitsubishi: Saby-Serieys, Shinozuka-Magne,
  Fontenay-Musmara, Masuoka-Schulz, Kleinschmidt-
  Lohmann, Smulevici-Cuypers, Strugo-Anquetil
  • Nissan : Delavergne-Arguelles, Guedes-Dubois,
  Housieaux-Cotteret
  • Toyota : Ickx, Hugueny-Sarrazin
  • Buggy: Schlesser-Willis
  Truck
  • Tatra: Loprais-Stachura-Kalina
  • Mercedes : Malfériol-Moggia-Hamma
  
  HIGHLIGHTS
  • Hubert is the new Boss: the only competitor to date to have won in both the motorbike (81-83) and car categories (92),
  Hubert Auriol takes over at the reins of the Dakar. The "African" is the new acclaimed organiser.
  • The staff of the Dakar: the rally organisation counts 140 officials including 20 commissioners and 29 doctors, and boasts 32
  vehicles, 10 helicopters, and 22 airplanes.
  • Otto in the motorcycle category: At 23, Austria's Otto Lindenau is the youngest competitor in the rally. He is competing in
  the motorbike category.
  • Schek is not the oldest: at the other end of the scale, the oldest competitors include Marcel Hugueny (car category) who is
  81 and Herbert Schek (motorcycle), who, at 62, is, for once, not the oldest competitor.
  • Old faithful: record for the most rallies ran goes to Raymond Loizeaux who has taken part in fourteen Dakars.
  • 8 women at the starting line: 6 in the car category, 1 in the truck category and 1 in the motorcycle category.
  • F1 goes bike: F1 racers Laffite and Alliot return to the Dakar, trading in their racing cars for motorcycles
  • Pre-start soaking: Prior to the official start in Grenada, the competitors warm up under the rain in Brussels, Paris, Venice and Barcelona.
• THE ROUTE
  1 étape : Grenade - Motril (275 km dont 170 de spéciale)
  2 étape : Nador - Er Rachidia (619 km dont 226 de spéciale)
  3 étape : Er Rachidia - Ouarzazate (574 km dont 405 de spéciale)
  4 étape : Ouarzazate - Goulimine (646 km dont 380 de spéciale)
  5 étape : Goulimine - Es Smara (486 km dont 408 de spéciale)
  6 étape : Es Smara - Aswerd (585 km dont 577 de spéciale)
  7 étape : Aswerd - Zouerat (628 km dont 625 de spéciale)
  8 étape : Zouerat - Chinguetti (514 km dont 504 de spéciale)
  9 étape : Chinguetti - Tidjikja (348 km dont 347 de spéciale)
  10 étape : Ayoun El Atrous - Bakel
  11 étape : Bakel - Labé (632 km dont 626 de spéciale)
  12 étape : Labé - Tambacounda (820 km dont 600 de spéciale)
  13 étape : Tambacounda - Dakar
  
  THE RACE
  • 1st stage: Grenada - Motril (275 km including special stage of 170 km)
  Rain greets the prologue in Spain. On a slippery special stage, the Finns have plenty to be happy about because Salonen leads Vatanen.  In the motorbike category, Kinigadner wins the first stage racing against Peterhansel.
  • 2nd stage: Nador - Er Rachidia (619 km including special stage of 226 km)
  Mitsubishi sounds the charge. On a very stony track and in a foggy Atlas, Saby scatters the Citroëns, despite a puncture. The fog even forces the organisers to neutralise part of the special stage.  In the overall standings, Salonen leads Lartigue. The American driver records a symbolic victory driving a Yamaha for a Russian stable.
  • 3rd stage: Er Rachidia - Ouarzazate (574 km including 405 km of special stage)
  Vatanen goes on the offensive. Among the stones and the first lines of dunes, the Finn snatches over eight minutes from Saby. In the overall standings, Vatanen, winner of the special stage, climbs to first place in the rally. Second victory for Kinigadner while Peterhansel limits the damage after puncturing his casing on a stone and is forced to pull out.
  • 4th stage: Ouarzazate - Goulimine (646 km including 380 km of special)
  Saby angrily accuses Fréquelin of informing his drivers at each CP.  Fontenay, for his part, concentrates on winning the special stage. There is no stopping the Austrian who wins his third special stage in a row, and his fourth since the start of the rally. In terms of overall standings, he has a lead of over a quarter of an hour on his heir apparent Arcarons.
  • 5th stage: Goulimine - Es Smara (486 km including 408 km of special)
  Third Mitsubishi victory thanks to Saby who therefore climbs in the standings. Vatanen's ZX, having suffered three punctures, sees its lead melt away.  Kinigadner continues to forge ahead, widening the gap between himself and his pursuers a bit more.
  • 6th stage: Es Smara - Aswerd (585 km including 577 km of special)
  In a hard blow for Citroën, Salonen finishes on two drive wheels after his transmission is broken while repairs are prohibited. Vatanen ploughs ahead and takes back the lead he had lost. Arcarons nudges ahead, wins the special stage and takes the lead in the overall standings. Top performance of the day is that of Peterhansel who snatches back fourteen minutes from Kinigadner.
  • 7th stage: Aswerd - Zouerat (628 km including 625 special stage)
  Vatanen and Lartigue forge ahead for Citroën to come in first and second. Salonen struggles to get over the dunes on two drive wheels and loses over five hours. Arcarons and Peterhansel finish first and second, as in the previous day's stage.
  • 8th stage: Zouerat - Chinguetti (514 km including 504 special stage)
  Lartigue forges ahead, while Vatanen falters. Victim of a faulty acceptance of his ZX, Vatanen is forced to wait for assistance and drops to 61st place in the overall standings. Lartigue doubles up by both winning the stage and going into the lead in the overall standings. Spain's Gallardo wins the special stage. Peterhansel, in second place, threatens Arcarons in the standings.
  • 9th stage: Chinguetti - Tidjikja (348 km including 347 km of special)
  Second stage victory for Fontenay ahead of Vatanen, who, in a make-or-break performance, overtakes over seventy competitors. The duel between Lartigue and Saby continues.  In the motorcycle category, Dutchman Jimmink takes everyone by surprise by riding his Cagiva to victory.
  • 10th stage: Tidjikja - Ayoun El Atrous (429 km including 375 km of special)
  Fontenay blazes a trail through the Nega pass and Lartigue takes advantage. Saby's proto blows a hose but still finishes third. Vatanen has more problems, this time with his radiator. Rough day for Peterhansel, who, having been the victim of a fall, is penalised following a complaint by Arcarons, who accuses him of receiving help to repair his wheel.
  • 11th stage: Ayoun El Atrous - Bakel
  This eleventh stage is a special navigation one. Not only is there a lot of navigation, it is also a difficult stage with a lot of traps and alternating sandy and grassy terrain. Saby's proto accumulates suspension problems. All hope of victory slips away from him. The ZXs monopolise the first four places of the special stage with Servia, Vatanen, Salonen and Lartigue in that order.
  • 12th stage: Bakel - Labé (632 km including 626 km of special)
  In Guinea, Fontenay breaks his suspension to lose his second place in the overall standings. Citroën takes 1st, 2nd and 3rd place with Lartigue at the head.   Annoyed by the penalty inflicted on him, Peterhansel strikes back in Guinea.  He gains twenty minutes on Arcarons and takes back the lead in the overall standings.
  • 13th stage: Labé - Tambacounda (820 km including 600 km of special)
  Fontenay saves face by winning his third stage. Vatanen's and Picard's ZX causes consternation when it summersaults in a fast portion and is badly damaged. The entire rally reels under the shock but, in the heel of the hunt things are not as bad as they look. The team are unscathed. Peterhansel wins the special stage and hammers home the nail a bit.
  • 14th stage: Tambacounda-Dakar
  In a gripping struggle, Saby moves ahead of Shinozuka.  In the motorbike category, Peterhansel hogs the limelight and records his fourth Dakar victory, once again on Yamaha, their sixth such victory. Lartigue wins for the second time in a row, this handing Citroën their third win. Loprais's Tatra wins for the third time (88-94-95).

• Stage victories
1 Grenade-Motril Grenade-Motril 200 Salonen/Gallagher Fin Citroen Kinigadner Aut KTM
2 Nador-Es Rachidia Debdou-Talsint 255 Saby/Serieys Fra Mitsubishi Laporte USA Yamaha
3 Es Rachidia-Ouarzazate Erfoud-Agdz 405 Vatanen/Picard Fin Citroën Kinigadner Aut KTM
4 Ouarzazate-Goulimine Farm-Zguid Assa 380 Fontenay/Musmara Fra Mitsubishi Kinigadner Aut KTM
5 Goulimine-Es Smara Goulimine-Es Smara 420 Saby/Serieys Fra Mitsubishi Kinigadner Aut KTM
6 Es Smara-Aswerd Es Smara-Aswerd 577 Vatanen/Picard Fin Citroën Arcarons Esp Cagiva
7 Aswerd-Zouerat Aswerd-Zouerat 625 Vatanen/Picard Fin Citroën Magnaldi Fra Yamaha
8 Zouerat-Chinguetti Zouerat-Chinguetti 504 Lartigue/Périn Fra Citroën Gallardo Esp Cagiva
9 Chinguetti-Tidjikja Chinguetti-Tidjikja 347 Fontenay/Musmara Fra Mitsubishi Jimmink Hoi Cagiva
10 Tidjikja-Ayoun El Atrous Tidjikja-Ayoun El Atrous 504 Lartigue/Périn Fra Citroën Peterhansel Fra Yamaha
11 Ayoun El Atrous-Bakel Ayoun El Atrous-Selibabi 393 Servia/Puig Esp Citroën Kinigadner Aut KTM
12 Bakel-Labé Bakel-Labé 628 Lartigue/Périn Fra Citroën Peterhansel Fra Yamaha
13 Labé-Tambacounda Labé-Koundara 611 Fontenay/Musmara Fra Mitsubishi Peterhansel Fra Yamaha
14 Tambacounda-Dakar Tambacounda-M'Baké 380 Saby/Serieys Fra Mitsubishi Peterhansel Fra Yamaha

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS
1 LARTIGUE/PERIN (1er T3) CITROEN Fra
2 SABY/SERIEYS MITSUBISHI Fra
3 SHINOZUKA/MAGNE MITSUBISHI Jap
4 FONTENAY/MUSMARA MITSUBISHI Fra
5 SALONEN/GALLAGHER CITROEN Fin
6 GUEDES/DUBOIS NISSAN Por
7 DELAVERGNE/ARGUELLES (1er T1) NISSAN Fra
8 VISMARA/ALBIERO SSANGYONG Ita
9 PORNSAWAN/TULL (1 er T2) MITSUBISHI Tha
10 MASUOKA/SCHULZ MITSUBISHI Jap
11 TRAGLIO/DOMINELLA NISSAN Ita
12 KLEINSCHMIDT/LOHMANN MITSUBISHI All
13 PALACIOS/BOSCH NISSAN Esp
14 HOUSIEAUX/COTTRET NISSAN Fra
15 SERVIA/PUIG CITROEN    Esp
16 DELLI-ZOTTI/ALCOUFFE MITSUBISHI Fra
17 QUANDT/ZWILLING MITSUBISHI All
18 ICKX (1er Marathon Diesel) TOYOTA Bel
19 AL JAFLA/BOCANDE NISSAN EA
20 SNIPPE/KORTEWEG MITSUBISHI Hol
21 ASAI/AOYAGI ISUZU Jap
22 LOPRAIS/STACHURA (1er Camion) TATRA Tch
23 HUGUENY/SARRAZIN TOYOTA Fra
24 SUGAWARA/SHIBATA HINO Jap
25 HUGUENY/JOINEAU TOYOTA Fra
26 BUCHTYAR/KORENY TATRA Tch
27 CHOLLET/COTTIER BUGGY Sui
28 MORIZE/ROYER TOYOTA Fra
29 SMULEVICI/CUYPERS MITSUBISHI Fra
30 VERSINO/CASSIOT MERCEDES Fra
31 LHOTELLERIE/LEHERON MITSUBISHI Fra
32 BOIN/LAUNAY PEUGEOT Fra
33 ASAGA/ITOH TOYOTA Jap
34 MALGARA/ROOSE SSANGYONG Ita
35 BAUELER/STOCK MERCEDES All
36 FLORIN/FLORIN VOLKSWAGEN Fra
37 BOSON NET/LACOURT MERCEDES Fra
38 PELICHET/GAMBILLON MERCEDES Fra
39 HELLEGERS/SUPHEERT MERCEDES Hol
40 GRANJON/MARTINEAU MERCEDES Fra
41 PETIT/LEDREO MERCEDES Bel
42 MARECHAL/MEERSSCHAERT MERCEDES Fra
43 BERLIET/DUCASSOU TOYOTA Fra
44 BARBIER/CHAPLAIN MERCEDES Fra
45 CHAUMONT/DRION MERCEDES Fra
46 NOGUES/LIBAT TOYOTA Fra
47 LISSOVSKI/KROUTINE TOYOTA GB
48 THIEFAINE/WAVRANT TOYOTA Fra
49 GIMBRE/MARCHEIX MERCEDES Fra
50 SANDRETTO/PATTONO MERCEDES Ita
51 LEURY/CAMBIAGHI MERCEDES Fra
52 TATSU/KOSEI TOYOTA Jap
53 OLIVERAS ELI/FOJ HERRERA TOYOTA Jap
54 ZAMBETTI/MUTTI MERCEDES Ita
55 BRAULT/RAUL MERCEDES Fra
56 BELOTTI/PASSONI MERCEDES Ita
57 SANTA CECILI/VILA ALTIMIR LAND ROVER Fra
58 GOUVIEZ/DUQUENNE TOYOTA Fra

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 PETERHANSEL YAMAHA Fra
2 ARCARONS CAGIVA Esp
3 ORIOLI CAGIVA    Ita
4 MEONI    HONDA Ita
5 BRUCY    HONDA Fra
6 SIREYJOL KTM Fra
7 MAYER    KTM All
8 JIMMINK CAGIVA Hol
9 OLIVIER YAMAHA Fra
10 GIL KTM Esp
11 PILET KAWASAKI Fra
12 SOTELO CAGIVA Esp
13 PIROUD KTM Fra
14 VILAR YAMAHA    Por
15 MARQUES YAMAHA Por
16 DOMET SUZUKI    Fra
17 MONNIER MONNIER Sui
18 BASSET SUZUKI Fra
19 FUMAGALLI SUZUKI Ita
20 CARCHERI HONDA Ita
21 RANNOU YAMAHA Fra
22 LANDEREAU YAMAHA Fra
23 ALGERI YAMAHA Ita
24 DE MONTREMY YAMAHA Fra
25 PILLOT DIAPASON Fra
26 YAMAMURA YAMAHA Jap
27 PUREN DIAPASON Fra

OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS
1 LOPRAIS/STACHURA TATRA Tch
2 SUGAWARA/SHIBATA HINO    Jap
3 BUCHTYAR/KORENY TATRA    Tch
4 VERSINO/CASSIOT MERCEDES Fra
5 BAUELER/STOCK    MERCEDES All
6 BOSON NET/LACOURT MERCEDES Fra
7 PELICHET/GAMBILLON MERCEDES Fra
8 HELLEGERS/SUPHEERT MERCEDES ND
9 GRANJON/MARTINEAU MERCEDES Fra
10 PETIT/LEDREO    MERCEDES Bel
11 MARECHAL/MEERSSCHAERT MERCEDES Fra
12 BARBIER/CHAPLAIN MERCEDES Fra
13 CHAUMONT/DRION MERCEDES Fra
14 GIMBRE/MARCHEIX MERCEDES Fra
15 OLIVERAS/ELI/JOF/HERRERA MERCEDES Esp
16 ZAMBETTI/MUTTI MERCEDES Ita
17 BRAULT/RAUL MERCEDES    Fra
18 BELOTTI/PASSONI MERCEDES Ita

1996
GRANADA - DAKAR

18th GRANADA - DAKAR
• Departure: 30 December 1995 from Grenada (Spain)
• Arrival: 14 January 1996 in Dakar (Lake Rose)
• Rest: 7 January 1996 in Zouerat (Mauritania)
• Length of rally: 7,579 km
• Number of special stage kilometres: 6,179 km
• Countries crossed: Spain, Morocco, Mauritania,
Guinea, Senegal

OVERALL STANDINGS FOR CARS:
Lartigue/Périn (Fra) CITROËN ZX
OVERALL STANDINGS FOR BIKES:
Edi Orioli (Ita) YAMAHA
OVERALL STANDINGS FOR TRUCKS:
Moskovskikh/Kouzmine (Rus) KAMAZ

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 295
- At the start:   106 cars
119 motorcycles 70 trucks Assistance plane this year
- At the finish :  121 vehicles
including   50 cars
50 motorcycles 21 trucks

MAIN COMPETITORS
Motorcycle    
• Yamaha : Peterhansel, Olivier, Orioli    Fontenay-Musmarra, Tambay-Metge
• KTM : Arcarons, Kinigadner, Magnaldi, Meoni, Gil, Sainct, Lewis, Mayer, Sotelo
• Cagiva : Trolli, Esquirol, Mas    Truck

Car
• Mitsubishi: Saby-Serieys, Shinozuka-Magne,    
• Kamaz : Moskovskikh/Kouzmine, Tchaguine/Iakoubov
• Citroën : Lartigue-Perin, Vatanen-Picard, Servia-Puig, Wambergue-Gallagher
• Mercedes : Gueguen-Loudenot-Baudin
• Tatra: Loprais-Tomecek-Stachura
• Buggy : Schlesser-Willis, Kleinschmidt-Herrera

HIGHLIGHTS
4-4 draw: no two years are the same for Stéphane Peterhansel. Owing to refuelling problems (poor quality petrol) after Smara, he reaches the Zouerat bivouac three hours late, handing victory to his teammate Orioli.  In an ironic turn of events, the Italian joins the Frenchman among the prizewinners by chalking up his fourth success in the trial. Hats off to Lartigue: there is no stopping the Frenchman driving for Citroën. Having won in 94 and 95, he adds a third consecutive feather to his cap.

THE ROUTE
• Prologue
. 1 étape: Espagne Grenade - Malaga (241 km dont 79 de spéciale)
• 2 étape: Nador - Oudja (223 km dont 149 de spéciale)
• 3 étape: Oujda - Er Rachidia (552 km dont 328 de spéciale)
• 4 étape: Er Rachidia - Foum El Hassan (776 km dont 540 de spéciale)
• 5 étape: Foum El Hassan - Smara (494 km dont 474 de spéciale)
• 6 étape: Smara - Zouerat (620 km dont 603 de spéciale)
• 7 etape: Zouerat - Atar (374 km dont 365 de spéciale)
• 8 étape : Atar - Zouerat (539 km dont 511 de spéciale)
• 9 étape : Zouerat - El Mreîti (638 km dont 629 de spéciale)
• 10 étape : El Mreîti - Tichit (632 km de spéciale)
• 11 étape : Tichit - Kiffa (535 km dont 530 de spéciale)
• 12 étape : Kiffa - Kayes (281 km dont 275 de spéciale)
• 13 étape : Kayes - Labé (522 km dont 516 de spéciale)
• 14 étape : Labé - Tambacounda (587 km dont 511 de spéciale)
• 15 étape : Tambacounda - Dakar

THE RACE
• Prologue: Spain
The eighteenth "Dakar" gets off to a whirlwind start in Spain in the form of an acceleration test. Spaniards Arcarons and Gallardo, respectively 1 st and 2nd, delight the public at this little game. The Shinozuka-Magne team come in in first place among the cars.
• 1st stage: Grenada - Malaga (241 km including 79 special stage)
Although two special stages were scheduled, only the first is maintained because the terrain is unusable owing to the bad weather. In the motorcycle category, Tiainen on Husqvarna dominates Trolli on Cagiva and Roma on KTM. Bad day for Kinigadner who falls victim to a tumble and to mechanical worries. Saby wins the car stage as expected.
• 2nd stage: Nador - Oudja (223 km including 149 km of special)
First African stage among the mountains. The steep slopes and sinewy tracks suit Finland's Vatanen, winner ahead of his teammate Lartigue.  In the motorbike category, Kinigadner, who lost six minutes the previous day, goes all out and records the best time. Vatanen-Picard and Roma head up the overall standings.
• 3rd stage: Oujda - Er Rachidia (552 km including 328 special stage)
On a route crossing the Rekkam plateau against an arid and stony backdrop, Finland's Vatanen wins his second special stage thereby strengthening his lead. Peterhansel wins the stage and takes the lead in the overall standings.
• 4th stage: Er Rachidia - Foum El Hassan (776 km including 540 km of special)
Citroën take the first three places with Wambergue ahead of Lartigue and Vatanen.  In the motorcycle category, Peterhansel moves ahead of Kinigadner.
• 5th stage: Foum El Hassan - Smara (494 km including 474 km of special)
New success for Lartigue and Peterhansel.
• 6th stage: Smara - Zouerat (620 km including 603 km of special)
Austria's Kinigadner, in second place overall, has engine failure and pulls out.  Peterhansel and his Yamaha are affected by a refuelling problem, blamed on the quality of the petrol. Yamaha complains but loses 2 Vi hours on Orioli, winner of the special stage. Bad day also for Vatanen who limps into Zéourat on three wheels. The Finn, for his part, loses an hour and a half. Fontenay-Musmarra win the stage and Lartigue-Perrin take first place overall.
• 7th stage: Zouerat - Atar (374 km including 365 km of special)
Victories by Magnaldi and Vatanen. As the Yamaha appeal is not accepted, Peterhansel withdraws from the race. Orioli takes the lead in the overall standings.
• 8th stage: Atar - Zouerat (539 km including 511 km of special)
hi take first, second and third place in the car category headed by Masuoka-Schulz. Overall standings unchanged: three Citroëns among the top four places. Victory by Meoni on KTM in the motorbike category.
• 9th stage: Zouerat - El Mreîti (638 km including 629 km of special)
Arcarons has the fastesMitsubist time in the motorcycle category but Orioli still dominates this Dakar.  Following the Mitsubishi triple achievement the day before, today it is the turn of Citroën to record a stunning achievement with four cars in the first four places in the special stage. Victory for Wambergue-Gallagher.
• 10th stage: El Mreîti - Tichit (632 km special)
Despite a summersault, Vatanen wins the longest special stage of this Dakar. First success for the young David Trolli in the motorbike category while Magnaldi, let down by his engine, will not see the finishing line in Dakar.
• 11th stage: Tichit - Kiffa (535 km including 530 km of special)
Everyone finds his or her way through the Iguekkateme and Néga passes.  Fontenay-Musmarra and Orioli win the day's stages.
• 12th stage: Kiffa - Kayes (281 km including 275 km of special)
Trolli wins while Arcarons goes all out to catch up on Orioli. Wambergue-Gallagher win in the car competition.
• 13th stage: Kayes-Labé (522 km including 516 km of special)
New success for Citroën and KTM. Vatanen and Méoni win this special stage.
• 14th stage: Labé-Tambacounda (587 km including 511 km of special)
Same players, same result: Vatanen for the cars and Meoni for the motorbikes.
• 15th stage: Tambacounda-Dakar
Last ditch attempt by Vatanen, imitated by Arcarons.
The Lartigue-Périn team wins for the third time in a row with their ZX. Orioli, on Yamaha, wins his fourth Dakar victory, joining Stéphane Peterhansel among the record holders. First in T1 last year, De Lavergne is first in T2 this time. First success for a Kamaz on the Dakar with the victory of the Russian Moskovskikh and Kouzmine team.

• Stage victories
1 Grenade Course d accélération 0,3 Shinozuka/Magne Jap Mitsubishi Arcarons Esp    KTM
2 Grenade-Malaga Grenade 7,5 Saby/Serieys Fra Mitsubishi Tiainen Fin Husqvarna
3 Nador-Oujda Nador-Oujda 149 Vatanen/Picard Fin Citroën Kinigadner Aut KTM
4 Oujda-Er Rachidia Oujda-Er Rachidia 328 Vatanen/Picard Fin Citroen Peterhansel Fra Yamaha
5 Es Rachidia-Foum El Hassan Rissani-Tata 540 Wambergue/Gallagher Fra Citroen Peterhansel Fra Yamaha
6 Foum El Hassan-Smara    Foum El Hassan-Smara 474 Lartigue/Périn Fra Citroen Peterhansel Fra Yamaha
7 Smara-Zouerat    Smara-Zerouat 603 Fontenay/Musmara Fra Mitsubishi Orioli Ita Yamaha
8 Zouerat-Atar    Zouerat-Atar 374 Vatanen/Picard Fin Citroën Magnaldi Fra KTM
9 Atar-Zouerat    Atar-Zouerat 511 Masuoka/Schulz Jap Mitsubishi Meoni Ita KTM
10 Zouerat-El MreTti Zouerat-El MreTti 629 Wambergue/Gallagher Fra Citroën Arcarons Esp KTM
11 El MreTti-Tichit El MreTti-Tichit 632 Vatanen/Picard Fin Citroën Trolli Ita Cagiva
12 Tichit-Kiffa    Tichit-Kiffa 530 Fontenay/Musmara Jap Mitsubishi Orioli Ita Yamaha
13 Kiffa-Kayes Kiffa-Kayes 275 Wambergue/Gallagher Fra Citroën    Trolli Ita Cagiva
14 Kayes-Labé Kayes-Labé 516 Vatanen/Picard Fin Citroën Meoni Ita KTM
15 Labé-Tambacounda Labé-Tambacounda 587 Vatanen/Picard Fin Citroën Meoni Ita KTM
16 Tambacounda-Dakar Tambacounda-Lac Rose 20 Vatanen/Picard Fin Citroën    Arcarons Esp KTM

OVERALL CAR-TRUCK STANDINGS
1 LARTIGUE/PERIN CITROEN Fra
2 WAMBERGUE/GALLAGHER CITROEN Fra
3 FONTENAY/MUSMARRA MITSUBISHI Fra
4 VATANEN/PICARD CITROEN Fin
5 SERVIA/PUIG SANS CITROEN Esp
6 MASUOKA/SHCULZ MITSUBISHI Jap
7 SABY/SERIEYS MITSUBISHI Fra
8 VISMARA/CAMBIAGHI SSANGYONG Ita
9 DELAVERGNE/ARGUELLES NISSAN Fra
10 STRUGO/CATARELLI MITSUBISHI Fra
11 PRIETO/OLAVE MITSUBISHI Esp
12 SOUZA/LAROQUE MITSUBISHI Por
13 TAMBAY/METGE MITSUBISHI Fra
14 SCHLESSER SEAT.SCHLESER Fra
15 MOSKOVSKIKH/KOUZMINE KAMAZ Rus
16 LOPRAIS/TOMECEK TATRA Tch
17 SHINOZUKA/MAGNE MITSUBISHI Jap
18 SARRAZIN/FUJISAWA TOYOTA Fra
19 ANDRETTA/SIMONI MITSUBISHI Ita
20 HOUSIEAUX/COTTRET NISSAN Fra
21 FLORIN/COTEL BUGGY Fra
22 ASAGA/ITO TOYOTA Jap
23 FAJTL/JANOUSEK TATRA Tch
24 MALGARA/CREMA SSANGYONG Ita  
25 SNIPPE/WAGENVOORT MITSUBISHI Hol
26 KORENY/GILAR TATRA Tch
27 LOOMANS/WAUTERS TOYOTA Bel
28 ASAI/AKIKO ISUZU Jap
29 ARNOUX/MATHIAS BUGGY    Fra
30 TCHAGUINE/IAKOUBOV KAMAZ Rus
31 SUGAWARA/HAMURA HINO    Jap
32 MARTIN/CHAUMONT TOYOTA Bel
33 COTTRET/CUBIN TOYOTA    Fra
34 FORTHOMME/LUROUIN TOYOTA Bel
35 PELICHET/GAMBILLON MERCEDES Fra
36 ARGAZZI/ARGAZZI NISSAN Ita
37 BERTHELOT/LAFERRIERE NISSAN Fra
38 BOSONNET/LACOURT MERCEDES Fra
39 GAUTHIER/VADEBONCOEUR TOYOTA Fra
40 TEN HARKEL/VAN EIJK MITSUBISHI Hol
41 VILA ALTAMI R/GONZALEZ CAR NISSAN Esp
42 HARINGER/PELANCONI MAC MOTER Ita
43 NOGUES/LIBAT TOYOTA Fra
44 BOIN/LE DREO PEUGEOT Fra
45 BOUTEVILLAIN/CARRIERE MERCEDES Fra
46 GIMBRE/MARCHEIX MERCEDES Fra
47 SHIBATA/SUZUKI HINO Jap
48 GARDEY/RIAUD NISSAN Fra
49 ROUSSINOV/JILINE MITSUBISHI Rus
50 PATTONO/TONY MERCEDES Ita
51 ZELENKO/BARULIN MITSUBISHI Rus
52 BERTRY/GUERRIN MITSUBISHI Fra
53 PETIT/VAN HAUWAERT MERCEDES Fra
54 MARTIN/DUBOIS NISSAN Fra
55 HELLEGERS/KUHN MERCEDES Hol
56 STEHLIK/JIRI TATRA Tch
57 BOUNEY/ALIPHAT TOYOTA Fra
58 BERLIET/DUCASSOU TOYOTA Fra
59 NOSHIRO/REY MITSUBISHI Jap
60 ISHIHARA/SAITO NISSAN Jap
61 MOUTINHO/ULMER LAND ROVER Fra
62 TAKEDA/SUGIMOTO NISSAN Jap
63 MORFIN/BARBIER TOYOTA Fra
64 BRAULT/ADAM MERCEDES Fra
65 GALGAN I/LEVY MERCEDES Fra
66 HAN BONG/FAVARO SSANGYONG Cor
67 HALL/WAMBERG HUMMER EU
68 HALL/JENSEN HUMMER EU
69 TIBAU/CRISTOVAO MERCEDES Esp
70 NOBUYKI/TAKASUKE NISSAN Jap
71 MICHIELS/DE CONINCK MERCEDES Bel

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 ORIOLI YAMAHA Ita
2 ARCARONS KTM Esp
3 SOTELO KTM Esp
4 JIMMINK KTM Hol
5 SAINCT KTM Fra
6 MALETTI KAWASAKI Ita
7 GALLARDO CAGIVA Esp
8 CHIESA KTM Ita
9 SCHILCHER KTM All
10 PILET KTM Fra
11 CASTERA BMW Fra
12 BENNEROTTE KAWASAKI Fra
13 CRISTANELLI CAGIVA Ita
14 KOLBERG KTM Bre
15 BORSOTTO KTM Fra
16 ANTONY KTM Fra
17 DEGAVARDO KTM Sui
18 AUZANNEAU YAMAHA Fra
19 WIN KLER KAWASAKI Ita
20 FUMAGALLI SUZUKI Ita
21 MARTIN KTM Fra
22 GRAHAM KTM GB
23 VERCOELEN KTM Hol
24 DE AZEVEDO KTM Bre
25 LAUWERS KTM Bel
26 TRAMONTANA BMW Fra
27 LE BLANC HONDA Fra
28 RAMOS MARTIN HONDA Esp
29 KADSHAI KAWASAKI Isl
30 CARCHERI KTM Ita
31 MIONE KAWASAKI Fra
32 PASCUAL YAMAHA Fra
33 MEONI KTM Ita
34 DABERT YAMAHA Fra
35 VOSTERS YAMAHA Hol
36 LOIZEAUX BMW Fra
37 PILLOT DIAPASON Fra
38 LANDEREAU KTM Fra
39 BIEGE KTM All
40 DECHORAIN YAMAHA Fra
41 MORGAN HONDA GB
42 KASTAN SUZUKI Tch
43 HIDEAKI KTM Jap
44 ROCHE YAMAHA Fra
45 MAYER KTM All
46 STANONIK KTM Slo
47 TROUSSARD YAMAHA Fra
48 FARGES YAMAHA Sen
49 MORELLI KTM Ita
50 JOMINI MONNIER Sui

1997
DAKAR - DAKAR

19th DAKAR - DAKAR
• Departure: 4 January 1997 from Dakar
• Arrival: 19 January 1997 in Dakar (Lake Rose)
• Rest: 12 January 1997 in Agadez
• Length of rally: 8,049 km
• Number of special stage kilometres: 6,509 km
• Countries crossed: Senegal, Mali, Niger, Mali,
Mauritania, Guinea, Senegal

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 280
- At the start :     99 cars
126 motorcycles 55 trucks Assistance plane this year
- At the finish : 141 vehicles
including   61 cars
58 motorcycles 22 trucks

OVERALL STANDINGS FOR CARS:
Shinozuka/Magne (Jap/Fra) MITSUBISHI
OVERALL STANDINGS FOR BIKES:
Stéphane Peterhansel (Fra) YAMAHA
OVERALL STANDINGS FOR TRUCKS:
Reif-Deinhofer (Aut) HINO

MAIN COMPETITORS
Motorcycle
• Yamaha : Peterhansel, Castera
• KTM : Kinigadner, Arcarons, Magnaldi, Meoni,
Laporte, Sainct, Lewis, Jimmink
• Cagiva : Gallardo, Sotelo, Steuri
• BMW: Loizeaux,
Car
• Mitsubishi Pajero : Saby-Serieys, Shinozuka-Magne
• Buggy Schlesser: Schlesser-Monnet, Kleinschmidt-
Boutaire
• Nissan Patrol: De Lavergne-Arguelles, Servia-Picard,
Guedes-Dubois
• Ssang Yong : Tambay-Occelli, Riviere-Siviero
• Toyota Land : Wambergue-Cotteret
Truck
• Tatra: Loprais-Kucera-Stachura
• Hino : Sugawara-Hamura-Matsumoto, Reif-Deinhofer

HIGHLIGHTS
• Citroën out: owing to a change in the rules, the t3 category factory prototypes are disallowed, with the result that Citroën is
unable to take part.
• A Greek at the departure: Thanassis Choundras is the first Greek to take part in the Dakar. He sets off on a KTM.
• Jacky and Vanina almost took part: the Ickx father and daughter team had promised to take part but a last-minute health
problem forces them to pull out.
• Jutta opened the ball: Germany's Jutta Kleinschmidt, in her Schlesser buggy, becomes the first woman to win a special
stage in the Dakar.
• "Shino 1st": Shinozuka is the first Japanese driver to be among the Dakar prize winners and, in doing so, hands Mistubishi
its 4th Dakar win.

THE ROUTE
• 1 étape : Dakar - Tambacounda (587 km dont 275 de spéciale)
• 2 étape : Tambacounda - Kayes (594 km dont 505 de spéciale)
• 3 étape : Kayes - Nara (592 km dont 552 de spéciale)
4 étape : Nara - Tombouctou (658 km dont 650 de spéciale)
5 étape : Tombouctou - Gao (482 km dont 415 de spéciale)
6 étape : Gao - Ménaka (332 km de spéciale)
7 étape : Ménaka - Tahoua (396 km de spéciale)
8 étape : Tahoua - Agadez (820 km dont 575 de spéciale)
9 étape : Agadez - Oclan (460 km dont 457 de spéciale)
1O étape : Oclan - Kidal (537 km de spéciale)
11 étape : Kidal - Tombouctou (577 km dont 568 de spéciale)
12 étape : Tombouctou - Nema
13 étape : Néma - Kiffa (604 km dont 308 de spéciale)
14 étape : Kiffa - Saint-Louis - Dakar (751 km dont 166 de spéciale)

THE RACE
• 1st stage: Dakar - Tambacounda (587 km including 275 km of special stage)
This nineteenth Dakar gets off to a flying start with two special stages.  Fontenay wins the stage in the car category and Peterhansel in the motorcycle category.
• 2nd and 3rd stage: Tambacounda - Kayes - Nara
Third stage and third stage victory in a row for Peterhansel who consolidates his first-place lead over Magnaldi. Bad day for Toyota and Nissan, submerged under a mound of problems. Shinozuka and Magne dominate the Schlesser Buggy, both in this special and in the overall standings.
• 4th stage: Nara - Timbuktu (658 km including 650 km of special)
As the population is particularly dense around the village of Kourouma, the organisation decided to neutralise the race to avoid accidents. The bikers are exhausted by the long special stages, the heat and the falls. Among those who drop out are Sainct, Kinigadner (knee injury) and Laporte (dislocated shoulder).
• 5th stage: Timbuktu - Gao (482 km including 415 km of special).
A grand classic that used to end in the other direction. After four strenuous stages, the caravan catches its breath along the Niger river and witnesses the victory of Fontenay and of the escapee from the KTM stable, Thierry Magnaldi. Saby and Peterhansel dominate the overall standings.
• 6th stage: Gao - Ménaka (332 km special)
Schlesser pulls out after his buggy summersaults.  Mitsubishi has four cars at the head of the overall standings. The Shinozuka-Magne team snatches the lead from Saby-Serieys.  Peterhansel wins his fifth special stage, thus slightly consolidating his lead over Arcarons.
• 7th stage: Ménaka - Tahoua (396 km special stage)
Mitsubishi comes in first, second and third.  Fontenay wins the stage but Shinozuka retains his overall lead.  In the motorbike category, Sotelo wins for Cagiva. Peterhansel remains in control.
• 8th stage: Tahoua - Agadez (820 km including 575 km of special stages)
Mitsubishi cars account for all first four places in the special stage and in the overall standings. Shinozuka and Peterhansel win the day's special stages thus strengthening their lead at the head of the race.
• 9th stage: Agadez - Oclan (460 km including 457 km of special)
Highlight of the day is Jutta Kleinschmidt's victory at the wheel of her Schlesser buggy. She becomes the first woman to win a "Dakar" special stage. It is also the second stage victory for a Schlesser buggy. In the motorbike category, Magnaldi wins the special stage. Peterhansel is still solidly ensconced at the head of the rally.
• 10th stage: Oclan - Kidal (537 km special)
A day full of surprises with a first victory for Guedes and Nissan. Shinozuka, havng suffered a puncture, surrenders his place as
leader to Fontenay's Pajero.
Arcarons wins in the motorbike category and Magnaldi drops out after the engine of his KTM gives up the ghost.
• 11th stage: Kidal - Timbuktu (577 km including 568 km of special)
Strugo-Catarelli wins on Mitsubishi but the day is marked by the attitude of Saby and Fontenay, who pull back to hand the victory to Shinozuka, despite the claims of the Japanese stable.  In the motorcycle category, the American Lewis wins the day.
• 12th stage: Timbuktu - Nema
Long resigned to coming in in second place, Spanish rider Arcarons drops out after a fall. Peterhansel has a lead of over two-and-a-half hours over his protégé, another Spaniard, Gallardo riding a Cagiva. A new Mitsubishi 1-2-3 in the car category with a new victory by Fontenay.
• 13th stage: Néma - Kiffa (604 km including 308 km of special)
The dunes of Mauritania do not upset the classification. Masuoka, in the car category, and France's Bernard in the motorcycle category win the special stage.
• 14th stage: Kiffa - Saint-Louis - Dakar (751 km including 166 km of special)
Two special stages to finish up (Kiffa - Saint-Louis and Saint-Louis - Dakar). Fontenay and Kleinschmidt win the two stage victories in the car category while Marques and Brucy, both on KTM, are winners in the motorbike category. Mitsubishi dominates the race to take 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place. First place goes to Shinozuka, who is also the first Japanese driver to win. Fifth win by Peterhansel who equals Cyril Neveu's record. Finally, Reif-Deinhofer wins the truck category for Hino.

• Stage victories Spéciale
1 Dakar-Tambacounda Dakar-Tambacounda 27 Fontenay/Musmara Fra Mitsubishi Peterhansel Fra Yamaha
2 Tambacounda-Kayes Tambacounda-Kayes 505 Schlesser/Monnet Fra Buggy Peterhansel Fra Yamaha
3 Kayes-Nara Kayes-Nara 552 Shinozuka/Magne Jap Mitsubishi Peterhansel Fra Yamaha
4 Nara-Tombouctou Nara-Tombouctou 658 Saby/Serieys Fra Mitsubishi Peterhansel Fra Yamaha
5 Tombouctou-Gao Tombouctou-Gao 415 Fontenay/Musmara Fra Mitsubishi Magnaldi Fra KTM
6 Gao-Tahoua Gao-Menaka Shinozuka/Magne Jap Mitsubishi Peterhansel Fra Yamaha
6 Gao-Tahoua Menaka-Tahoua 396 Fontenay/Musmara Fra Mitsubishi Sotelo Esp Cagiva
7 Tahoua-Agadez Tahoua-Arlit 575 Shinozuka/Magne Jap Mitsubishi Peterhansel Fra Yamaha
8 Agadez-Oclan Agadez-Oclan 457 Kleinschmidt/Boutaire All Buggy Schleser Magnaldi Fra KTM
9 Oclan-Kidal Oclan-Kidal 537 Guedes/Dubois Fra Nissan Arcarons Esp KTM
10 Kidal-Tombouctou Kidal-Tombouctou 568 Strugo/Catarelli Fra Mitsubishi Lewis Usa KTM
11 Tombouctou-Nema Tombouctou-Nema 577 Fontenay/Musmara Fra Mitsubishi Peterhansel Fra Yamaha
12 Nema-Kiffa Ayoun El Atrous-Kiffa 308 Masuoka/Schulz Jap Mitsubishi Bernard Fra KTM
13 Kiffa-Saint Louis Kiffa-Saint Louis 166 Fontenay/Musmara Fra Mitsubishi Marques Por KTM
14 Saint Louis-Dakar Saint Louis-Dakar 18 Kleinschmidt/Boutaire All Buggy Sch Brucy Fra    KTM

OVERALL CAR-TRUCK STANDINGS
1 SHINOZUKA/MAGNE MITSUBISHI Jap
2 FONTENAY/MUSMARRA MITSUBISHI    Fra
3 SABY/SERIEYS MITSUBISHI Fra
4 MASUOKA/SCHULZ MITSUBISHI Jap
5 KLEINSCHMID/BOUTAIRE SCHLESER    All
6 SERVIA/PICARD    NISSAN Esp
7 STRUGO/CATTARELLI MITSUBISHI Fra
8 GUEDES/DUBOIS    NISSAN    Por
9 ARGAZZI/ARGAZZI NISSAN Ita
10 SOUZA/REY MITSUBISHI    Por
11 LHOTELLERIE/LEHERON    MITSUBISHI Fra
12 PRIETO/MAS MITSUBISHI Esp
13 VAN CAUWE/DEVOS TOYOTA Bel
14 VISMARA/CAMBIAGHI VISMAR Ita
15 VILA ALTIMIR/GONZALES MITSUBISHI Esp
16 ALCARAZ/BORSOTTO NISSAN Fra
17 HANCIAUX/GEROME NISSAN Bel
18 PORCAR/TOURINAN NISSAN Esp
19 ASAGA/ITOH TOYOTA Jap
20 GEORGET/BOCANDE NISSAN Fra
21 ALLIOT/LANDEREAU NISSAN Fra
22 POLLINI/ROOSE ROVER Ita
23 REIF/DEINHOFER HINO Aut
24 ARNOUX/MATHIAS BUGGY    Fra
25 CASSEGRAIN/CASSEGRAIN MITSUBISHI Fra
26 PESCAROLO/BOUSSIER TOYOTA Fra
27 HASEMI/YOKOKAWA NISSAN Fra
28 SUGAWARA/HAMURA/MATSUM HINO Jap
29 DHONT/KAKET MITSUBISHI Bel
30 MARTIN/DUBOST NISSAN    Fra
31 PETIT/WAGNER/HASHIM HINO Bel
32 ARAI/GOUVIEZ ISUZU Jap
33 COTTRET/GARCIN TOYOTA Fra
34 BERTRY/GUERRIN MITSUBISHI Fra
35 BOUNEY/ALIPHAT TOYOTA Fra
36 PELICHET/MOLINA MERCEDES Fra
37 KOLBERG/MESQUITA MITSUBISHI Bre
38 VERSINO/LACOURT/VERSIN MITSIBISHI Fra
39 VANIERSCHO/GRONITZ TOYOTA Bel
40 LEMOS/DURET NISSAN Por
41 GRANJON/IMAI/MARTINE    MITSUBISHI Fra
42 PLAUCHUT/MONTIGNY TOYOTA Fra
43 LO CURTO/DAL ZOTTO/PICCO TOYOTA Ita
44 MAESSEN/MAESSEN TOYOTA Bel
45 FORTHOMME/GOTLIB TOYOTA Bel
46 SERVIA I COS/PUJOLAR    TOYOTA And
47 BEAUJEAN/CHALLOY TOYOTA Fra
48 DUNAND/CHOLLET TOYOTA Sui
49 BABIER/ANDRE/BERGER MERCEDES    Fra
50 FESSY/MORELLO NISSAN    Fra
51 SMULEVICI/SERREAU MITSUBISHI    Fra
52 DUCROUX/CHARTREZ TOYOTA Fra
53 NEMOTO/TSUBAI ISUZU Jap
54
55 VANDIEREND/HURTECANT TOYOTA Bel
56 FERRI/PLATEAU/AUVRAY MERCEDES Fra
57 MICHELARD/REDON TOYOTA Fra
58 UME/ADRIEN TOYOTA Bel
59 TOMOKAWA/ASADA MITSUBISHI Jap
60 ISAO/TAKAYUKI TOYOTA Jap
61 MALFERIOL/CROSET/RODRIG MERCEDES Fra
62 NOBUYKI/TAKASUKE NISSAN Jap
63 WAUTERS/VAN PUYEN TOYOTA Bel
64 GAMBILLON/LOUIN/PRIVE MERCEDES Fra
65 BRAULT/CIRAVEGNA/ADAM MERCEDES Fra
66 GARCIA APA/GINES JIME LAND ROVER Esp
67 TIBAU/LOPEZ/HEBERT MERCEDES Esp
68 DRION/MOQUET/SILVANI MERCEDES Fra
69 TATSU/KOJI TOYOTA Jap
70 JUVANTENY/ESPERTO/CRIADO MERCEDES And
71 OLIVERAS ELI/CAMPA/KORBER MERCEDES And
72 GOVAERE/CNUDDE/ESPEEL MAN Bel
73 MAIMI/JUNCOSA O/BOLUDA MERCEDES All
74 YUTAKA/KAZUMA TOYOTA Jap
75 REEDTZ-THOT/PEDERSEN PEUGEOT Dan
76 PARTRIDGE/PARKER ISUZU GB
77 FOJ/MAYMO/ESTEVE MERCEDES And
78 SAUMET/LACAVA/YOKOSH SCANIA Fra
79 GINESTA/MONTANO/PRADES MERCEDES And
80 RENDERS/LONGIN/DE GRO MERCEDES Bel
81 LASSERE/DAVID TOYOTA Fra
82 INAGAKI/MITSUNARI TOYOTA Jap
83 LURQUIN/BARTHOLOMDEDRIC MERCEDES Bel

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 PETERHANSEL YAMAHA Fra
2 GALLARDO CAGIVA Esp
3 CASTERA YAMAHA Fra
4 LEWIS KTM EU
5 VON ZITZEWIT KTM Aut
6 MAYER KTM All
7 BRUCY KTM Fra
8 MARQUES KTM Por
9 SCHILCHER KTM All
10 BERNARD KTM Fra
11 SOTELO CAGIVA Esp
12 GIL KTM Esp
13 SIREYJOL HONDA Fra
14 DE AZEVEDO KTM Bre
15 DE AZEVEDO KTM Bre
16 YOSHIO HONDA Jap
17 DEACON KTM GB
18 MEILLAT KTM Fra
19 HUTTEN KTM Hol
20 RAMOS MART KTM Esp
21 "BENNEROTTE" KAWASAKI Fra
22 SANNA COCC KTM Ita
23 VERHOEF KTM Hol
24 FUMAGALLI SUZUKI Ital
25 AUBREE KTM Fra
26 STANOVNIK KTM Slo
27 KASTAN SUZUKI Tch
28 ZLOCH SUZUKI    Tch
29 GRAHAM KTM GB
30 DUMONTIER YAMAHA Fra
31 AUTHIER KTM    Fra
32 DUFOUR HONDA    Fra
33 PALIX HONDA Fra
34 FARGES KTM Sen
35 KASHIWA HONDA Jap
36 MARTIN KTM Fra
37 MILLET HONDA    Fra
38 DBERT YAMAHA    Fra
39 FRANCRU SUZUKI Fra
40 CHEMELLO YAMAHA Ita
41 DE MEGNI YAMAHA Ita
42 VICINO YAMAHA Ita
43 LOIZEAUX BMW    Fra
44 VERZELETTI HONDA Ita
45 RICHARD YAMAHA Fra
46 LOPES COLL KTM Esp
47 STEFANINI KAWAS Ita
48 DEL PALACIO HONDA Esp
49 URBACH HONDA    All
50 GIROUD YAMAHA Fra
51 HIROAKI KAWASAKI Fra
52 KOBAYASHI KAWASAKI Jap
53 VILLENAVE SUZUKI Fra
54 CHAMAGNE SUZUKI Fra
55 MONS YAMAHA Fra
56 DELCROS SUZUKI Fra
57 YAMAMURA HONDA Jap
58 YAMAMURA HONDA Jap

1998
PARIS - GRANADA - DAKAR

20 PARIS - GRANADA - DAKAR
• Departure: 1st January 1998 from Versailles (Place
d'Armes)
• Arrival: 18 January 1998 in Dakar (Lake Rose)
• Rest: 11 January 1998 in Gao
• Length of rally: 10,593 km
• Number of special stage kilometres: 5,219 km
• Countries crossed: France, Spain, Morocco,
Mauritania, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal

OVERALL STANDINGS FOR CARS:
Fontenay/Picard (Fra) MITSUBISHI
OVERALL STANDINGS FOR BIKES:
Stéphane Peterhansel (Fra) YAMAHA
OVERALL STANDINGS FOR TRUCKS:
Loprais/Stachura/Cermak (Rtc) TATRA

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 349
- At the start:
115 cars 173 motorcycles 35 trucks (in race) 26 trucks (assistance)
New category T5 (trucks)
- At the finish : 104 vehicles including 55 cars
41 motorcycles 8 trucks

COMPETITORS Motorcycle
• Yamaha : Peterhansel, Castera
• KTM : Magnaldi, Sainct, Meoni, Arcarons, Jimmink,
Sala, Roma, Tianen, Krause, Bernard, Cox, Haydon,
Deacon, Von Zitzevitz, De Gavardo, Schilcher
• BMW : Orioli, Gallardo, Mayer, Brucy, Loizeaux
• Cagiva : Sotelo, Boluda, Solano
• Muz : Morales
Car
• Mitsubishi: Saby-Serieys, Shinozuka-Magne, Fontenay-Picard, Masuoka-Schulz, Alphand-Debron
• Buggy Schlesser: Schlesser-Pauwels, Kleinschmidt-
Stevens
• Nissan : De Lavergne-Arguelles, Alliot-Dubois, Servia
S.-Alcaraz, Housieaux-Dominella, Goutaland-Restoux
• Protruck : Lartigue-Guehennec, Ragland-Riviere,
Pescarolo-Boussier
• Toyota : Wambergue-Cottret, Servia J.M-Delli-Zotti
Truck
• Tatra: Loprais-Stachura-Cermak
• Hino: Sugawara-Ushioda-Matsumoto

HIGHLIGHTS
The Dakar is 20: for its twentieth birthday, the Dakar sets off from Paris, in the early morning of 1st January, from the place d'Armes of the Versailles Château. The Dakar returns to its roots and the mythical route down France via the Nationale 20! Peter against Neveu: Stéphane Peterhansel, five-time winner of the rally, hopes to win the Dakar for a sixth time and beat Cyril Neveu's record of five victories.
Alphand en piste: Luc Alphand and Marie-Claire Restoux take part, respectively, at the wheel of a Mitsubishi and a Nissan. Two new competitors in the motorbike category: South-African Alfie Cox and Australia's Andy Haydon start the race on a KTM.
A selective route: following the three marathon stages between Zouerat, El MreTti and Taoudenni, only 88 motorbikes, 50 cars and 26 trucks leave Gao!
BMW is back: grand comeback by the make that won the Dakar four times (1981-83-84-85).  BMW has four motorbikes in the race.

THE ROUTE
Prologue : Paris - Narbonne (937 km dont 10 de spéciale)
• 1 étape : Narbonne - Granada (1.182 km dont 35 de spéciale)
• 2 étape : Granada - Almeria (234 km dont 38 de spéciale)
• 3 étape : Nador - Er Rachidia (613 km dont 247 de spéciale)     
• 4 étape : Er Rachidia - Ouarzazate (577 km dont 344 de spéciale)
• 5 étape : Ouarzazate - Smara (1050 km dont 354 de spéciale)
• 6 étape : Smara - Zouerat (614 km dont 494 de spéciale)
• 7 étape : Zouerat - El MreTti (684 km dont 680 de spéciale)
• 8 etape : El MreTti - Taoudenni (478 km de spéciale)
• 9 étape : Taoudenni - Gao (918 km - spéciale annulée)
• 10 étape : Gao - Tombouctou (420 km dont 411 de spéciale)     
• 11 étape : Tombouctou - Nema (566 km dont 551 de spéciale)
• 12 etape : Nema - Tidjikja (749 km dont 745 de spéciale)
• 13 étape : Tidjikja - Atar (394 km dont 358 de spéciale)
• 14 etape : Atar - Boutilimit (490 km dont 290 de spéciale)
• 15 etape : Boutilimit - Saint Louis (422 km dont 313 de spéciale)
• 16 étape : Saint Louis - Dakar (265 km dont 18 de spéciale)

THE RACE
• Prologue: Paris - Narbonne (937 km including a special stage of 10 km)
Crowds turn out in Versailles and in Châtre to give the heroes of the desert a send off on their way to Narbonne.  In the motorcycle category, François Flick, an amateur racer, wins the prologue on a Honda 400 XR.  In the car category, the victor is Bruno Saby. The route is muddy and it gets miiddier as the day goes on.  In the end, the special stage is neutralised for the last twenty-four competitors, including the trucks.
• 1st stage: Narbonne - Granada (1,182 km including 35 km of special stage)
The special stage is won by Spaniard Juan Roma, ahead of France's Alain Perez. Magnaldi tumbles. The fall bothers him throughout the race and he ends up by dropping out. In the car category, Saby once more wins the stage ahead of Fontenay and Shinozuka, all three on Mitsubishi.
• 2nd stage: Granada - Almeria (234 km including a special stage of 38 km)
Two special stages were scheduled initially, but the second one is cancelled.  Italy's Sala wins the short 4 km special stage ahead of Spain's Roma.  In a major upset in the car category, Pierre Lartigue picks up an eight-hour penalty for coming to the starting line outside of the time, owing to gearbox problems. He nevertheless wins the stage.
• 3rd stage: Nador - Er Rachidia (613 km including 247 km of special stage)
Stéphane Peterhansel wins the special stage and goes to the head of the overall standings ahead of France's Richard Sainct. Mechanical problems force Philippe Wambergue's and José Maria Servia's two official Toyotas to wait for their assistance truck.
• 4th stage: Er Rachidia - Ouarzazate (577 km including 344 km of special stage)
It is Peterhansel's turn to experience mechanical problems and he drops down to eighth place in the overall standings.  Italy's Meoni wins the special stage.  In the overall standings, KTM dominates with eight of its vehicles in the first ten places. The Mitsubishis continue to lead the race, but Jean-Louis Schlesser is only eight minutes behind Saby who remains overall leader.
• 5th stage: Ouarzazate - Smara (1050 km including 354 km of special stage)
Katrinak is the first Slovak driver to see his name on the scoreboard of the Dakar.  In the motorcycle category, France's Thierry Magnaldi, who fell at the beginning of the special stage is forced to drop out. The two Mitsubishi drivers, Fontenay and Saby, take the first two places in the special stage, ahead of Schlesser.
• 6th stage: Smara - Zouerat (614 km including 494 km of special stage)
The arrival in Mauritania is regarded as the real start to this 20th Dakar.  Peterhansel leads the overall standings in the motorbike category while Fontenay leads among the cars. The gap is widened between the Mitsubishis and Schlesser. Germany's Jutta Kleinschmidt continues to demonstrate her potential and finishes fourth ahead of Schlesser!
• 7th stage: Zouerat - El MreTti (684 km including 680 km of special stage)
First of the three long Marathon stages.  In the motorcycle category, Australia's Haydon on KTM wins the special ahead of Spain's Roma, Sainct and Peterhansel.  Peterhansel holds onto first place in the overall standings. In the car category,
Fontenay also strengthens his place as leader. Jutta Kleinschmidt, who finishes the special stage in second position is in third place overall.
• 8th stage: El MreTti - Taoudenni (478 km of special stage)
Following a 269 km race, the motorcycle special is neutralised during refuelling.  Meoni however wins the special stage ahead of Sala, Sotelo and Peterhansel, who widens his lead in the overall standings. The three Mitsubishis have driven all day together and between them had eight punctures.
• 9th stage: Taoudenni - Gao (918 km - special stage cancelled)
The special stage is cancelled in order to enable the competitors regroup and reach Gao, the rest stage.
Drop-outs include Italy's Edi Orioli and, in the car category, Wambergue's and Servia's two Toyotas as well as Lartigue, who is
suffering from eye problems.
• 10th stage: Gao - Timbuktu (420 km including 411 km of special stage)
Difficult day for Peterhansel who is forced to stop during the special stage owing to an overheated engine. However, he still finishes second behind Spain's Sotelo and retains his lead in the overall standings. Despite an overheating problem with his rear axle, Saby wins the special stage.
• 11th stage: Timbuktu - Nema (566 km including 551 km of special stage)
A hot and difficult stage won by France's Richard Sainct ahead of Peterhansel. In the car competition, no change: the battle intensifies between Fontenay and Saby.
• 12th stage: Nema - Tidjikja (749 km including 745 km of special stage)
The special stage is won by a newcomer to the Dakar, Australia's Andy Haydon. Peterhansel decides to take things easy and restricts himself to marking his rivals. Bruno Saby loses all hope of victory, having had to stop for over 30 minutes due to an overheated engine. Fontenay beginning to believe in his chances for victory...
• 13th stage: Tidjikja - Atar (394 km including 358 km of special stage)
Peterhansel is happy to let those chasing him take all the risks.
Richard Sainct pulls out after his rear shock absorber breaks. Holland's Jimmink wins the special stage ahead of Meoni, Cox, Peterhansel and Haydon.  In the car category, Jean-Louis Schlesser, driving a Buggy, gets stuck in the sand after 300 km racing in the Chinguetti dunes, which is good news for team Mitsubishi.
• 14th stage: Atar - Boutilimit (490 km including 290 km of special stage)
A desert storm makes the going rough in the special stage.  England's John Deacon comes in ahead of Peterhansel and Italy's Meoni. In the car category, Fontenay has another faultless performance.
• 15th stage: Boutilimit - Saint Louis (422 km including 313 km special stage)
Fontenay in the car category and Peterhansel in the motorbike category look set to be the unbeatable winners.
• 16th stage: Saint Louis - Dakar (265 km including 18 km of special stage)
After taking part in 17 rallies, Jean-Pierre Fontenay finally sees his dream come true and wins his first Dakar. Peterhansel enters the record books as the first person to win six Dakars, beating Neveu's previous record.  In the truck competition, Loprais once again dominates the category recording his fourth victory in the rally.

• Stage victories
1 Paris - Narbonne La Châtre Château 10 Saby/Serieys Fra Mitsubishi Flick Fra KTM
2 Narbonne - Granada Lastours Granada 35 Saby/Serieys Fra Mitsubishi Roma Esp KTM
3 Granada - Almeria Almeria Nador 38 Saby/Serieys Fra Mitsubishi Sala Ita Yamaha
4 Nador - Er Rachidia Er Rachidia Er Rachidia 247 Masuoka/Schulz Jap Mitsubishi Peterhansel Fra KTM
5 Er Rachidia - Ouarzazate Ouarzazate Ouarzazate 344 Shinozuka/Magne Jap Mitsubishi Meoni Ita Yamaha
6 Ouarzazate - Smara Smara Smara 354 Fontenay/Picard Fra Mitsubishi Peterhansel Fra Yamaha
7 Smara - Zouerat Zouerat Zouerat 494 Shinozuka/Magne Jap Mitsubishi Peterhansel Fra KTM
8 Zouerat - El Mreiti El Mreiti El Mreiti 680 Fontenay/Picard Fra Mitsubishi Haydon Aus KTM
9 El Mreiti - Taoudenni Taoudenni 478 Masuoka/Schulz Jap Mitsubishi Meoni Ita Cagiva
10 Taoudenni - Gao .   Annulée   Annulée
11 Gao - Tombouctou Gao Tombouctou 411 Fontenay/Picard Fra Mitsubishi Sotelo Esp KTM
12 Tombouctou - Nema Tombouctou Nema 551 Shinozuka/Magne Jap Mitsubishi Sainct Fra KTM
13 Nema - Tidjikja Nema Tidjikja 745 Fontenay/Picard Fra Mitsubishi Haydon Aus KTM
14 Tigjikja - Atar Tigjikja Atar 358 Saby/Serieys Fra Mitsubishi Jimmink Hol KTM
15 Atar - Boutilimit Atar Boutilimit 290 Fontenay/Picard Fra Mitsubishi Deacon Ang KTM
16 Boutilimit - Saint Louis Boutilimit Saint Louis 166 Shinozuka/Magne Jap Mitsubishi Jimmink Hol KTM
17 Saint Louis - Dakar Saint Louis Dakar 18 Kleinschmidt/Stevens All Buggy Arcarons Esp KTM

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS
1 FONTENAY/PICARD MITSUBISHI FRA
2 SHINOZUKA/MAGNE MITSUBISHI JAP
3 SABY/SERIEYS MITSUBISHI FRA
4 MASUOKA/SCHULZ MITSUBISHI JAP
5 SCHLESSER/PAUWELS BUGGY FRA
6 ALLIOT/DUBOIS NISSAN FRA
7 HOUSIEAUX/DOMINELLA NISSAN FRA
8 DE LAVERGNE/ARGUELLES NISSAN FRA
9 PRIETO/GIL MITSUBISHI ESP
10 TEN HARKEL/DEN TOOM MITSUBISHI HOL
11 QUANDT/TIEFENBACH MITSUBISHI ALL
12 VILA ALTIMIR/GONZALES CARPI MITSUBISHI ESP
13 STRUGO/CATTARELLI MITSUBISHI FRA
14 ANQUETIL/MORIZE NISSAN FRA
15 SARRAZIN/FUJISAWA TOYOTA FRA
16 KOLBERG/LARROQUE MITSUBISHI BRE
17 SOUZA/REY MITSUBISHI POR
18 ASAGA/ITO TOYOTA JAP
19 SERVIA S./ALCARAZ NISSAN ESP
20 HANCIAUX/LURQUIN NISSAN BEL
21 PLAZA PEREZ/AMOR CAMPO MITSUBISHI ESP
22 ARNOUX/ARNOUX BUGGY FRA
23 GAZZONI/HILBE NISSAN ITA
24 KLEINSCHMIDT/STEVENSON BUGGY ALL
25 ASAI/ASAGA ISUZU JAP
26 GOUTALAND/RESTOUX NISSAN FRA
27 COTEL/DELIMBEUF NISSAN FRA
28 WAUTERS/DAMEN TOYOTA    BEL
29 GUINOT/KROISS TOYOTA    FRA
30 LECHLEITER/DINIZ TOYOTA FRA
31 VISMARA/CAMBIAGHI LAND-ROVER    ITA
32 SMULEVICI/FALAISE MITSUBISHI    FRA
33 KANAMORI/TERADA TOYOTA JAP
34 HARDY/BECART MITSUBISHI FRA
35 YAMAMURA/YAMAMURA ISUZU JAP
36 COMOLLI/CENTIMES EBRO FRA
37 VON GUGGENBERG/GRAZIANO LAND-ROVER ITA
38 LATTANZI/CUBIN TOYOTA ITA
39 LUCE/LUCE NISSAN FRA
40 LORA LAMIA/CARCHERI NISSAN ITA
41 TOMOKAWA/ASADA MITSUBISHI JAP

OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS
1 LOPRAIS/STACHRUA/CERMAK TATRA RTC
2 SUGAWARA/USHIODA/HINO HINO JAP
3 KORENY/LAMAC/KAHANEC TATRA RTC
4 BAEUERLE/SHUEAHGL MERCEDES ALL
5 BOSONNET/LACOURT/BERGER MERCEDES FRA
6 GIMBRE/MARCHEIX/BUI MERCEDES FRA
7 BARBIER/MOQUET/BARBIER MITSUBISHI FRA
8 BALBONI/TONI MERCEDES ITA

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 PETERHANSEL YAMAHA FRA
2 MEONI KTM ITA
3 HAYDON KTM AUS
4 COX KTM AFS
5 JIMMINK KTM HOL
6 ARCARONS KTM ESP
7 VON ZITZEWITZ KTM ALL
8 DEACON KTM GBR
9 MAYER KTM ALL
10 ZLOCH KTM RTC
11 VERHOEF KTM HOL
12 DE GAVARDO KTM CHL
13 LE BLANC HONDA FRA
14 KRAUSE KTM USA
15 SCHILCHER KTM ALL
16 SIREYJOL HONDA FRA
17 SALA KTM ITA
18 ISIDRE KTM ESP
19 FLICK HONDA FRA
20 HAKATA HONDA JAP
21 SCHWEIZER KTM ALL
22 SALVADOR KTM FRA
23 COAKER KTM AUS
24 MALETTI KAWASAKI ITA
25 VAN PELT KTM HOL
26 RAMOS MARTINEZ KTM ESP
27 VERCOELEN KTM HOL
28 ESCUDER HONDA ESP
29 QUAGLINO HONDA ITA
30 WINKLER KTM ITA
31 OHLSSON KTM SUE
32 VERHEYDEN KTM BEL
33 CHEVALIER KTM FRA
34 CORRALES KTM ESP
35 BRUCY B.M.W FRA
36 MORALES MUZ FRA
37 ANTONY KTM FRA
38 BOANO HONDA ITA
39 SACCHETTINI KTM FRA
40 PAVEY HONDA GBR
41 AUBREE KTM FRA
42 PY HONDA FRA
43 DABERT YAMAHA FRA
44 CHENE YAMAHA FRA
45 LOPES COLLADO KTM ESP
46 CRAIGIE C.C.M IRL
47 PILLOT SUZUKI FRA
48 PASCUAL YAMAHA FRA
49 FITZSIMON C.C.M IRL
50 LORENZELLI SUZUKI ITA
51 LOIZEAUX B.M.W FRA
52 VAN DEVENTER YAMAHA QUAD AFS
53 BESNIER MUZ FRA
54 ETARD YAMAHA QUAD FRA
55 MOREL KTM FRA

1999
TOTAL - GRANADA - DAKAR

21 TOTAL - GRANADA - DAKAR
• Departure: 1st January 1999 from Grenada (Spain)
• Arrival: 17 January 1999 in Dakar (Lake Rose)
• Rest: 9 January 1999 in Bobo Dioulasso
(Burkina Faso)
• Length of rally: 9,393 km
• Number of special stage kilometres: 5.638 km
• Countries crossed: Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali,
Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 297
- At the start: 161 motorcycles
88 cars
29 trucks (in race)
19 trucks (assistance)
- At the finish : 110 vehicles
including 54 cars
40 motorcycles
16 trucks

COMPETITORS
MAIN Motorcycle
• KTM : Kinigadner, Magnaldi, Orioli, Meoni, Arcarons,
Sala, Roma, Tianen, Bernard, Cox, Deacon, Von
Zitzevitz, De Gavardo
• BMW : Sainct, Gallardo, Mayer, Brucy, Loizeaux
• Yamaha Espagne : Sotelo
• Muz : Morales
Car
• Mitsubishi: Shinozuka-Magne, Fontenay-Picard,
Prieto-Serieys, Kleinschmidt-Thorner, Alphand-Debron,
Masuoka-Schultz, Strugo-Cattarelli, Souza-Alcaraz,
Quandt-Tiefenbach, Smulevici-Falaise, Kolberg-
Larroque
• Buggy Schlesser: Schlesser-Monnet, Servia JM-Delli-
Zotti
• Nissan : Peterhansel-Cottret, De Lavergne-Dubois,
Servia S.-Albiero, Housieaux-Dominella, Goutaland-
Restoux, Bourgnon-Leneuveu, Pescarolo-Guehennec
Truck
• Tatra : Loprais-Stachura-Kalina, De Azevedo-
Tomecek-Neubarth
• Kamaz : Moskovskikh-Iakoubov-Tchaguine, Kabirov-
Beliaev-Goloub
• Iveco: Biason-Siviero-Diamante
• Mercedes : Pelichet-Clement-Godeloup
• Man : Reif -Deinhofer-Roth

OVERALL STANDINGS FOR CARS:
Schlesser/Monnet (Fra) SCHLESSER
OVERALL STANDINGS FOR BIKES:
Richard Sainct (Fra) BMW
OVERALL STANDINGS FOR TRUCKS:
Loprais/Stachura/Kalina (Rtc) TATRA

HIGHLIGHTS
• Peter takes part in the car category: Stéphane Peterhansel, six-time Dakar winner, takes part for the first time in the car
category!
• Comeback by Alphand-Restoux: second time for champions Luc Alphand and Marie-Claire Restoux to take part,
respectively on Mitsubishi and Nissan.
• Bourgnon starts out: first time out for Laurent Bourgnon, recent winner of the Route du Rhum. Forced to pull out, he
promises to be back.
• Jutta, leading lady: Germany's Jutta Kleinschmidt becomes the first woman in the history of the Dakar to lead the overall
standings! What a performance.
• Classic but... the route, which a lot of people had derided as classic and easy, proves to be more difficult than many
thought. The organisers have to cancel three stages in the motorbike category, including the Lake Rose stage.
• Motorcycles transferred by plane: for the first time in the history of the rally, even though a stage is cancelled, all the
motorbikes and their riders are transferred by plane (Mopti - Timbuktu).
• "11": after taking part in 11 events, the long hours spent working on his buggies, which he prepares himself, finally pay off
for Jean-Louis Schlesser when his dream of winning the "Dakar" finally comes true.
• "5": is the number of wins by the Czech at the wheel of his Tatra. (88-94-95-98-99)

THE ROUTE
Prologue : Armilla (Espagne) (5 km)
1 étape : Granada - Rabat (531 km dont 5 km de spéciale)
2 étape : Rabat - Agadir (654 km dont 100 km de spéciale)
3 étape : Agadir - Tan Tan (510 km dont 230 km de spéciale)  
4 étape : Tan Tan - Bir Mogrein (515 km dont 451 km de spéciale)
5 étape : Bir Mogrein - Atar (629 km dont 624 km de spéciale)
6 étape : Atar - Tidjikja (492 km dont 458 km de spéciale)
7 étape : Tidjikja - Nioro (625 km dont 434 km de spéciale)
8 étape : Nioro - Bobo Dioulasso (936 km dont 384 km de spéciale)
9 étape : Bobo Dioulasso - Mopti (743 km dont 304 km de spéciale)
10 étape : Mopti - Tombouctou (1032 km dont 430 km de spéciale)
11 étape : Tombouctou - Néma (548 km dont 539 km de spéciale)
12 étape : Néma - Tichit (490 km)
13 étape : Tichit - Atar (548 km dont 539 km de spéciale)
14 étape : Atar - Nouakchott (504 km dont 433 km de spéciale)
15 étape : Nouakchott - Saint Louis (257 km dont 151 km de spéciale)
16 étape : Saint Louis - Dakar (260 km dont 20 km de spéciale)

THE RAC
• Prologue in Grenada (Spain) (5 km)
For the third time in the history of the Dakar, the rally starts off in Grenada in Andalusia. 88 cars, 161 motorbikes and 50 trucks are authorised to start. Under a driving rain and in muddy conditions, Dirk Von Zitzewitz clocks up the best time on his KTM.  In the car category, Shinozuka, whose Mitsubishi refuses to start, almost comes a cropper but the Japanese finally wins the stage. The trucks are excused from having to take part in the prologue so as not to damage the Armilla route which will be used again the next day for the first special stage of the rally.
• 1st stage: Grenada - Rabat (530 km including 115 km special)
The rain continues to fall on the Spanish leg of this second stage before the cars embark for Rabat. Von Zitzewitz wins the stage ahead of Sala and Mayer. In the car category, Prieto is the man of the new year ahead of Shino and Fontenay.
• 2nd stage: Rabat - Agadir (654 km 99.5 km of special)
In this special stage in the Khatouat mountain range, to the east of Casablanca, the 159 motorbikes, 85 cars and 50 trucks still in the race give it their all. In the motorbike category, Kinigadner is out on his own as is Fontenay in the car category. Alphand leads in the T1 category ahead of Strugo.
• 3rd stage: Agadir - Tan Tan (510 km including 230 km of special)
This last Moroccan stage is marked by the victory of Jutta Kleinschmidt. The German driver kills two birds with one stone because she also goes to number one place overall in the rally. She also enters the history books as the first woman to lead the overall standings in the Dakar. In the motorbike category, Roma wins the stage.  Fasola, in 2nd place overall, pulls out after a fall.  In the truck category, the Kamaz still leads the crowd.
• 4th stage: Tan Tan - Bir Mogrein (515 km including 451 km of special)
This long special takes in Mauritania and the desert. Gallardo wins the stage and goes to the top of the overall standings. In the car category, Servia finishes with a 3-minute lead over Kleinschmidt. Fontenay is the day's unlucky competitor with three punctures. In the T1 category, Guinot overtakes Alphand in the overall standings.
• 5th stage: Bir Mogrein - Atar (629 km including 624 km special)
This, the longest stage in the rally, proves to be a nightmare for the bikers. Orioli and Roma pull out while Arcarons wins the
day. In the car category, Shinozuka is the day's winner ahead of Prieto and Kleinschmidt. Alphand retakes the lead in the T1 category.
• 6th stage: Atar - Tidjikja (492 km including 458 km special)
This rally is really one for the history books. For the first time, two buggies lead the overall standings. Servia and Schlesser, winners of the special stage, lead the rally. In the motorcycle category, Katrinak wins the stage. Gallardo and Sainct still lead. The highlight of the day is that Kinigadner, suffering from crushed vertebrae, is forced to pull out.
• 7th stage: Tidjikja - Nioro (622 km including 434 km special)
The Nega pass has some surprises in store. In the motorcycle category, Sainct takes the lead in the overall standings while Méoni wins the special stage. Former leader Gallardo pulls out on account of a flat battery. In the car category, Servia gets stuck in the dunes and loses 1 Vi hours. Prieto wins the special stage ahead of Schlesser.
• 8th stage: Nioro - Bobo Dioulasso (936 km including 384 km special)
The organisers decide to neutralise the stage for the motorbikes. They will go to Bobo Dioulasso via the parallel route taken by the assistance trucks.   Spain's Prieto chalks up his second stage victory since the beginning of the rally. France's De Lavergne confirms the potential of his car to come second in the special stage. On the day before the rest day, Schlesser maintains his lead in the overall standings with a tiny edge of 2'10 over Prieto and 5'40 over Kleinschmidt. Upset in the truck standings: Kabirov, who was second in the overall standings, is penalised 4 hours and plummets in the standings.
• 9th stage: Bobo Dioulasso - Mopti (743 km including 304 km special)
Schlesser wins the stage and shores up his slight lead in the overall standings. In the motorcycle category, South Africa's Alfie Cox wins the day.
• 10th stage: Mopti - Timbuktu (1032 km including 430 km special)
A dawn liaison start for the car and truck drivers and an additional mandatory rest day for the bikers.   For the first time in the history of the Dakar, following the decision to cancel the stage, the drivers and the vehicles are transferred by aircraft! 46 cars and 20 trucks are still in the race leaving Mopti.
• 11th stage: Timbuktu - Néma (548 km including 539 km special)
South Africa's Alfie Cox wins the stage, edging out Finland's Tianen. Richard Sainct is still overall leader but his lead has been shortened. Magnaldi and Méoni finish third and fourth. In the car category, the special is won by Shinozuka, while Schlesser, who got off to a fast start in the special, stops on account of a puncture but nevertheless manages to increase his lead over Prieto in the overall standings.  Luc Alphand climbs back to number 1 in the T1 Marathon category. In the truck competition, Brazil's De Azevedo loses time and lets Moskovskik's Kamaz fight it out with the Czech Republic's Loprais on Tatra for first place in the category.
• 12nd stage: Néma - Tichit (490 km)
Richard Sainct increases his lead in the overall standings just a little bit more. Schlesser finishes the special stage with eleven seconds to spare over Prieto.
• 13th stage: Tichit - Atar (548 km including 539 km special)
In the motorbike category, France's Thierry Magnaldi claws back almost two minutes from the leader Sainct. The gap between the two men in the overall standings remains tiny: two minutes and fifty-two seconds, after twelve days racing and over 4,500 km of special stages. In the car category, Schlesser increases his lead over Prieto in the overall standings another little bit when the Spaniard has a puncture at the end of the special.  In the truck category, Loprais climbs to number 1 in the overall standings.
• 14th stage: Atar - Nouakchott (504 km including 433 km special)
Richard Sainct wins the special stage. The two directly behind him, Magnaldi and Méoni, fall and see their last hopes of
catching up on him disappear. Schlesser, also, is coming closer and closer to victory.
No change in the truck category. Theoretically, there should be no change by the end on the banks of Lake Rose.
• 15th stage: Nouakchott - Saint Louis (257 km including 151 km special)
No surprise and no change: Schlesser wins the day's special and Sainct wins in the motorbike category. Both maintain their lead in the overall standings.
• 16th stage: Saint Louis - Dakar (260 km including 20 km special)
The famous Schlesser-Monnet tandem on Schlesser-Renault Buggy break open the champagne for their first win in the Dakar. In the motorbike category, Richard Sainct wins a well-deserved victory on his sixth outing. The T1 Marathon category is won by Luc Alphand and the motorcycle Marathon by Chile's De Gavardo.  In the truck category, the Czech team wins this 21st edition on Tatra ahead of Moskovskikh's Kamazh and another Tatra, driven by Brazil's De Azevedo. This is the fifth victory by Loprais in the category.

Stage victories
P Granada 5 Shinozuka/Magne Jap Mitsubishi Von Zitzewitz All KTM
1 Granada-Rabat 5 Prieto/Serieys Esp Mitsubishi Von Zitzewitz All KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
2 Rabat-Agadir 100 Fontenay/Picard Fra Mitsubishi Kinigadner Aut KTM De Azevedo Bre Tatra
3 Agadir-Tan Tan 230 Kleinschmidt/Thörner All Mitsubishi Roma Esp KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz
4 Tan Tan-Bir Mogrein 451 Servia/Delli Zotti Esp Schlesser Gallardo Esp BMW Kabirov Rus Kamaz
5 Bir Mogrein-Atar 624 Shinozuka/Magne Jap Mitsubishi Arcarons Esp KTM Sugawara Jap Hino
6 Atar-Tidjikja 458 Servia/Delli Zotti Esp Schlesser Katrinak Rtc KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
7 Tidjikja-Nioro 434 Prieto/Serieys Esp Mitsubishi Meoni Ita KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz
8 Nioro-Bobo Diolasso 434 Prieto/Serieys Esp Mitsubishi Annulée Tchaguine Rus Kamaz  
9 Bobo Diolasso-Mopti 295 Schlesser/Monnet Fra Schlesser Cox Afs KTM De Azevedo Bre Tatra
10 Mopti-Tombouctou 460 Fontenay/Picard Fra Mitsubishi Annulée Kabirov Rus Kamaz
11 Tombouctou-Nema 539 Shinozuka/Magne Jap Mitsubishi Cox Afs KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
12 Nema-Tichît 490 Schlesser/Monnet Fra Schlesser Sainct Fra BMW Sugawara Jap Hino
13 Tichît-Atar 579 Kleinschmidt/Thörner All Mitsubishi Magnaldi Fra KTM Loprais Rtc Tatra
14 Atar-Nouakchott 433 Servia/Delli Zotti Esp Schlesser Sala Ita KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
15 Nouakchott-Saint Louis 151 Fontenay/Picard Fra Mitsubishi Sainct Fra BMW Kabirov Rus Kamaz
16 Saint Louis-Dakar 20 Servia S. /Albiero Esp Schlesser Annulée Tchaguine Rus Kamaz

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS
1 SCHLESSER/MONNET SCHLESSER Fra
2 PRIETO/SERIEYS MITSUBISHI Esp
3 KLEINSCHMIDT/THORNER MITSUBISHI All
4 SHINOZUKA/MAGNE MITSUBISHI Jap
5 SERVIA/DELLI ZOTTI SCHLESSER Esp
6 MASUOKA/SCHULZ MITSUBISHI Jap
7 PETERHANSEL/COTTRET NISSAN Fra
8 DE LAVERGNE/DUBOIS NISSAN Fra
9 FONTENAY/PICARD MITSUBISHI Fra
10 SERVIA/ALBIERO NISSAN Esp
11 PESCAROLO/GUEHENNEC NISSAN Fra
12 DE MEVIUS/DE LIEDEKERKE NISSAN Bel
13 HANCIAUX/REY NISSAN    Bel
14 LORA LAMIA /DI PERSIO NISSAN    Ita
15 MARCY/LURQUIN NISSAN    Bel
16 ALPHAND/DEBRON MITSUBISHI Fra
17 KOLBERG/LARROQUE MITSUBISHI Bre
18 SOUZA/ALCARAZ MITSUBISHI Por
19 GOMEZ/MARTIN NISSAN    Fra
20 WAUTERS/DAMEN TOYOTA    Bel
21 FOJ/LEON TOYOTA Esp
22 HOUSIEAUX/DOMINELLA NISSAN Fra
23 SARRAZIN/TROUBLE TOYOTA Fra
24 VILA/GONZALES NISSAN    Esp
25 ASAGA/FUJISAWA TOYOTA Jap
26 KADSHAI/SEGAL TOYOTA    Isr
27 WOOLRIDGE/SKJOLDHAMMER MITSUBISHI Afs
28 WAMBERG/ROBISON HUMMER Usa
29 DHONT/VELDEMAN TOYOTA Bel
30 DROUET/GUERTON RANGE    Fra
31 VANIERSCHOT/GRONITZ TOYOTA Bel
32 STRUGO/CATTARELLI MITSUBISHI Fra
33 RAYNAL/PANIS TOYOTA    Fra
34 SMULEVICI/FALAISE MITSUBISHI Fra
35 ROMAGNY TOYOTA Fra
36 STEENSMA/CAMESELLE TOYOTA Esp
37 SANTIVERI/TOURINAN NISSAN Esp
38 BOXOEN/LIEKENS MITSUBISHI Bel
39 NOSHIRO/ARGUELLES NISSAN Jap
40 ZOETAERT/DHONDT TOYOTA Bel

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 SAINCT BMW
2 MAGNALDI KTM
3 COX KTM
4 ARCARONS KTM Fra
5 SOTELO YAMAHA Fra
6 DEACON KTM Afs
7 SALA KTM Esp
8 DE GAVARDO KTM Esp
9 GALLARDO BMW Gbr
10 MEONI KTM Ita
11 ESTEVE PUJOL KTM Chi
12 HUTTEN KTM Esp
13 MALETTI KAWASAKI Ita
14 VERHOEF KTM Hol
15 HAKATA IHON    Jap
16 VILAR KTM Por
17 KNUIMAN KTM Hol
18 GRAZIANI KTM    Ita
19 SIREYJOL HONDA Fra
20 BRUCY BMW Fra
21 SCHILCHER KTM All
22 FLICK HONDA Fra
23 ROUCOURT KTM    Fra
24 FERRER KTM Esp
25 BERNARD KTM Fra
26 CRISTANELLI KTM Ita
27 VERHEYDEN KTM Bel
28 WARGNIER HONDA Fra
29 CHEVALIER KTM Fra
30 SACCHETTINI KTM Fra
31 HEYMANN KTM Isr
32 MAYER BMW All
33 VERCOELEN KTM Hol
34 CASTELA A LA MARTINS KTM Por
35 LUGASSY KTM Isr
36 RONCO KTM Ita
37 FUMAGALLI SUZUKI Ita
38 MAISEY KTM Gbr
39 ROSSELET HONDA Fra
40 TRAMONTANA MUZ Fra
41 HAGUE KTM Gbr
42 GRAHAM KTM Gbr
43 FERNANDES KTM Bre
44 STANOVNIK KTM Slo
45 FITZSIMON CCM Irl
46 DABERT YAMAHA Fra
47 POLIMAC LEVI KTM Cro
48 THOME HONDA Fra
49 PILLOT HONDA    Fra
50 PAVEY CCM Gbr
51 BOSCH HONDA    Esp
52 VAN DEVENTER YAMAHA Afs
53 ETARD YAMAHA    Fra
54 ROJON YAMAHA    Fra

OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS
1 LOPRAIS/STACHURA/KALINA TATRA    Rtc
2 MOSKOVSKIKH/IAKOUBOV/TCHAGUINE KAMAZ Rus
3 DE AZEVEDO/TOMECEK/NEUBARTH TATRA Bre
4 SUGAWARA/SUGAWARA/MATSUM HINO    Jap
5 BIASION/SIVIERO/DIAMANTE IVECO Ita
6 BARBIER/BARBIER/BENBEKHTI MITSUBISHI Fra
7 KABIROV/BELIAEV/GOLOUB KAMAZ
8 REIF/DEINHOFER/ROTH HOLGER MAN Aut
9 BOSONNET/GRANJON/BERGER MERCEDES Fra
10 GIMBER/MARCHEIX/BUI MERCEDES    Fra
11 PELICHET/CLEMENT/GODELOUP MERCEDES Fra
12 PATTONO/PIO ALESSANDRO MERCEDES Ita
13 JUVANTENY/PARDO/CRIADO MERCEDES Esp
14 FERRI/REIFF/KORBER MERCEDES    Fra
15 BOIN/LOUIN/GAMBILLON MERCEDES Fra
16 TIBAU/HERRERO/GOTLIB

2000
TOTAL - DAKAR - CAIRO

22nd TOTAL - DAKAR - CAIRO
Start: 6th January 2000 from Dakar (Senegal)
Finish: 23rd January 2000 in Cairo (Egypt)
Rest Day: No rest day
Length of rally: 7,863 km
Number of kilometres in special sections: 5,012 km
Countries crossed: Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso,
Niger, Libya, Egypt

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 401
- At the start: 135 cars
200 motorcycles 30 trucks (in race) 36 trucks (assistance)
- At the finish : 225 vehicles
95 cars
107 motorcycles 23 trucks

OVERALL WINNERS CAR CLASS:
Schlesser/Magne (Fra) SCHLESSER RENAULT ELF
OVERALL WINNERS MOTORCYCLE CLASS:
Richard Sainct (Fra) BMW
OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS CLASS:
Tchaguine-Yakoubov-Savostine (Rus) KAMAZ

MAIN COMPETITORS

Motorcycle
• KTM : Kinigadner, Tianen, Meoni, Cox, Roma, Sala,
Arcarons, Bernard, J.Mayer, De Gavardo
• BMW : Sainct, Gallardo, A. Mayer, Brucy et Deacon et
Lewis sur le bicylindres
Car
Mitsubishi: Shinozuka-Serieys, Fontenay-Picard,
Kleinschmidt-Thorner, Prieto-Maimon, Kolberg-
Larroque
Mercedes : Al l iot-C atta re l l i, Magnaldi-Borsotto,
Strugo-Ducoutumany, Charbonnier-Demota
Schlesser-Renault: Schlesser-Magne, Servia-
Lurquin, Alphand-Debron
• Ford Ranger: Saby-Truelle, Gomez-Martin
• Nissan : De Lavergne-Dubois, Wambergue-De
Liedekerke, Germanetti-Rey, Hanciaux-Dominella, De
Mevius-Delli-Zotti, Riviere-Fourticq, Vila Altimar-Tourinan, Bourgnon-Leneveu
• Mega : Peterhansel-Cottret
• KIA : Skilton-Mead, Le Duc-Albiero
• Toyota : Ickx-Ickx, S. Servia-Bosch, Foj-Leon, Asaga-
Fujisawa
Truck
Tatra : Loprais-Stachura-Gilar, De Azevedo-Tomecek-
Vodak, Sklenovsky-Koreny-Kalina
Hino: Sugawara-Suzuki-Sugawara
Man : Reif-Deinhofer-Roth
Mercedes : Vismara-Cambiaghi, Guido-Fasano-Cantu
Kamaz : Tchaguine-Yakoubov-Savostine, Kabirov-
Beliaev-Goloub

HIGHLIGHTS
Alphand in Kangoo: Schlesser took on a Renault Kangoo, driven by Luc Alphand. The encounter did not last very long! Airlift: upon their arrival in Niger, the rally received threats of a terrorist attack and the organisers decided to suspend the race at Niamey for five days. The decision was then taken to organise a huge airlift between Niger and Libya, using large Antonov 124 transport planes to transport the whole rally (men and machines).
KTM's disappointment: once again, the Austrian firm lined up a large number of motorcycles at the start. Let down mechanically by their machines during the stages, few reached the finish.
• A double for BMW: the German stable took the rally for the second consecutive year (a second victory for Français Sainct)
and had four of their motorcycles in the first four places.
• What's new in the East: for the first time, the rally crossed Africa from West to East, with the finish in Egypt at the foot of
the Pyramids.
• 11 quads at the start: this year eleven brave warriors challenged the Dakar in quads. They were Roudil, Etard, Giraud,
Vigouroux, Winocq, Machacek, Leal Santos, Bouviolle, Da Silva, Granatelli and Kennington.
• 2 Sidecars: Aldhui and Deprez made the attempt in side-cars.
• Twice: for only the second time in its history since 1992 the course of the rally did not finish at Dakar. Cairo hosted the
finish for the first time.

THE ROUT
1 étape: Dakar - Tambacounda (594 km dont 284 km de spéciale)
2 étape : Tambacounda - Kayes (359 km dont 212 km de spéciale)
3 étape : Kayes - Bamako (711 km dont 245 km de spéciale)
4 étape : Bamako - Bobo Dioulasso (608 km dont 286 km de spéciale)
5 étape : Bobo Dioulasso - Ouagadougou (762 km dont 485 km de spéciale)
6 étape : Ouagadougou - Niamey ( 733 km dont 526 km de spéciale) entre Niamey et Sabha (5 jours)  
7 étape : Sabha - Waw El Kebir (469 km dont 146 km de spéciale)
8 étape : Waw El Kebir - Waha (661 km dont 657 km de spéciale)  
9 étape : Waha - Khofra (647 km dont 610 km de spéciale)  
10 étape : Khofra - Daklha (852 km dont 789 km de spéciale)  
11 étape : Daklha - Daklha (606 km dont 352 km de spéciale)  
12 étape : Daklha - Wadi Rayan (722 km dont 416 km de spéciale)
13 étape : Wadi Rayan - Le Caire (139 km dont 4 km de spéciale)

THE RACE
• 1st stage: Dakar - Tambacounda (594 km with special section of 284 km)
After starting with a flourish from Dakar, the first withdrawal came from the French motorcylist Richard Sainct, and the Spaniard Juan Roma finished third. Mitsubishi raised the flag and their ambitions with five cars in the first five places. Portuguese Carlos Souza won the stage.
• 2nd stage: Tambacounda - Kayes (359 km with special section of 212 km)
In the dust, Roma overtook Sainct 25 km from the finish and took the overall lead but only for forty-one seconds. Peterhansel took the first stage victory ofhis career on four wheels. At the end of the day, Shinozuka took the overall lead.
• 3rd stage: Kayes - Bamako (711 km with special section of 245 km)
The two overall leaders, Shinozuka among the cars and Roma on the motorcycles, reinfirced their overall position.
• 4th stage: Bamako - Bobo Dioulasso (608 km with special section of 286 km)
Spaniard Roma continued his triumph and then outstripped Sainct by more than twenty-two minutes. KTM had their first drop-outs: Arcarons (the previous day) and Méoni fell victim to a serious crash. Unusually, for once the cars covered the 286 km special course more quickly than the motorcycles: 2h20'45’’ as against 2h27'39’’. Jutta Kleinschmidt awarded herself the pleasure of outstripping all her rivals. In general, there was little change: Shinozuka and Fontenay stayed in front but Schlesser continued to make progress and held 3rd   place overall.
• 5th stage: Bobo Dioulasso - Ouagadougou (762 km with special section of 485 km)
At the end of a very tactical race, Kinigadner won the special section. Following two serious crashes, Deacon and Sala were forced to quit. Expert navigator Schlesser rose to second place overall. Shinozuka remained the leader.
• 6th stage: Ouagadougou - Niamey ( 733 km with special section of 526 km)
Sainct made an impact but Roma consolidated his lead among the motorcylists. In the cars, Sousa overtook Kleinschmidt and "Shino" increased his lead over Schlesser by fifteen minutes. Fontenay kept his fourth place despite a puncture.
• Cancellation between Niamey and Sabha (5 days)
Following information received from the French Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, the organisers took the decision to establish an airlift between Niamey and Sabha in Libya. The rally was suspended for five days.
• 7th stage: Sabha - Waw El Kebir (469 km with special section of 146 km)
After five days of forced inactivity, the race began again. Kinigadner outstripped Roma among the motorcyclists and the Spaniard increased his lead over Sainct. Among the cars, Shinzuka put several extra seconds between himself and Schlesser. Peterhansel got dangerously close to the Frenchman.
• 8th stage: Waw El Kebir - Waha (661 km with special section of 657 km)
After suffering a severe crash, Kinigadner was forced to quit. Despite the accident of his team-mate, Roma was content to be sensible and follow Sainct, who had ridden the stage following Lewis closely, since he did not have his GPS. Among the cars, after playing cat and mouse from the start of the rally, Schlesser was the one who took first place overall, pushing Shinozuka into third place. Peterhansel was sandwiched between these two drivers.
• 9th stage: Waha - Khofra (647 km with special section of 610 km)
Trapped by a dune, the three Mitsu drivers, Shinozuka, Sousa and Prieto, as well as De Mevius' Nissan, had to abandon the race. During this time, Peterhansel reduced the distance between him and Schlesser. Among the motorcycles, Lewis at last moved ahead of Alfie Cox. Roma only gave away a single second to Sainct.
• 10th stage: Khofra - Daklha (852 km with special section of 789 km)
This stage was the turning point of the rally for the motorcycle section: Roma, unable to solve the mechanical problem with his KTM, had to throw in the towel. One man's misfortune is another's advantage, and Sainct then took over as overall leader ahead of his team-mates Gallardo and Lewis. Among the cars, Servia took the special section ahead of his leader. This allowed Schlesser to reinforce his lead over Peterhansel and Fontenay.
• 11th stage: Dakhla - Dakhla (606 km with special section of 352 km)
Schlesser and Peterhansel covered the 352 km of the special section in the same time. Fontenay, winner of the stage, gained on the leaders but remained doubtful of his chances of victory.
• 12th stage: Daklha - Wadi Rayan (722 km with special section of 416 km)
While he was pursung the overall lead from the 99th position, Juan Roma decided to attack. He was victorious and gained more than half an hour over the leader, Sainct. Among the cars, Masuoka had his first success. Schlesser finished fifth behind Servia, Fontenay and Peterhansel.
• 13th stage: Wadi Rayan - Cairo (139 km with special section of 4 km)
The finish at the foot of the pyramids marked the end of the 22nd PARIS-DAKAR-CAIRO rally, with a last stand as one final special effort. Servia, Roma and Kabirov were fastest at this little game. Richard Sainct and Schlesser won for the second consecutive year. Among the lorries, Vladimir Tchaguine won in his Kamaz.

• Stage victories
1 Dakar-Tambacounda 594 Sousa-Luz Por Mitsubishi Sainct Fra BMW De Azevedo Bre Tatra
2 Tambacounda-Kayes 359 Peterhansel-Cottret Fra Mega Arcvarons Esp KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
3 Kayes-Bamako 711 Shinozuka-Serieys Jap Mitsubishi Roma Esp KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
4 Bamako-Bobo Dioulasso 608 Kleinschmidt-Thorner All Mitsubishi Roma Esp KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
5 Bobo Dioulasso-Ouagadougou 762 Schlesser-Magne Fra Renault Kinigadner Aut KTM De Azevedo Bre Tatra
6 Ouagadougou-Niamey 733 Sousa-Luz Fra Renault Sainct Fra KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz
7 Sabha-Waw El Kebir 469 Fontenay-Picard Fra Mitsubishi Kinigadner Aut KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz
8 Waw El Kebir-Waha 661 Schlesser-Magne Fra Mitsubishi Cox Afs KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz
9 Waha-Khofra 647 Peterhansel-Cottret Fra Renault Lewis USA BMW Loprais    RTC Tatra
10 Khofra-Dakhla 852 Servia-Lurquin Fra Mega Lewis USA BMW Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
11 Dakhla-Dakhla 606 Fontenay-Picard Fra Mitsubishi Esteve Pujol Esp KTM Loprais RTC Tatra
12 Dakhla-Wadi Rayan 722 Masuoka-Schulz Jap Mitsubishi Roma Esp KTM Loprais RTC Tatra
13 Wadi-Rayan-Cairo 139 Servia-Lurquin Esp Renault Roma Esp KTM Kabirov    Rus Kamaz

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS
1 SCHLESSER / MAGNE SCH-RENAULT ELF Fra
2 PETERHANSEL / COTTRET    MEGA Fra
3 FONTENAY / PICARD MISTUBISHI    Fra
4 SERVIA / LURQUIN SCH-RENAULT ELF Esp
5 KLEINSCHMIDT / THORNER MISTUBISHI All
6 MASUOKA / SCHULZ MISTUBISHI Jap
7 SABY / TRUELLE FORD RANGER Fra
8 DE LAVERGNE / DUBOIS    NISSAN    Fra
9 PESCAROLO / GUEHENNEC    NISSAN    Fra
10 VILA ALTIMIR / TOURINAN NISSAN Esp
11 HANCIAUX / DOMINELLA    NISSAN    Bel
12 STRUGO / DUCOUTUMANY    MERCEDES Fra
13 BOURGNON / LENEVEU NISSAN Fra
14 KOLBERG / LARROQUE MISTUBISHI Bre
15 CHARBONNIER / DEMOTA    MERCEDES Fra
16 RATET / GARCIN TOYOTA Fra
17 RIVIERE / FOURTICQ NISSAN Fra
18 ICKX / ICKX    MISTUBISHI Bel
19 ANQUETIL / MORIZE MISTUBISHI    Fra
20 ASAGA / FUJISAWA TOYOTA Jap
21 GUINOT / KROISS MISTUBISHI Fra
22 LOOMANS / LAUWERS MISTUBISHI    Bel
23 ARNOUX / LAPEYRE BUGGY Fra
24 SERVIA / BOSCH TOYOTA Esp
25 FORTHOMME / JACMART TOYOTA Bel
26 MEYER / GEISER NISSAN All
27 QUANDT / TIEFENBACH MERCEDES    All
28 VANIERSCHOT / VERGAELEN TOYOTA Bel
29 LORA LAMIA / DI PERSIO TOYOTA Ita
30 MAGNALDI / BORSOTTO    MERCEDES Fra
31 TARTAR TOYOTA Fra
32 FOJ / LEON TOYOTA Esp
33 GAZZONI / HILBE NISSAN Ita
34 DUCROUX / CHARTREZ MERCEDES Fra
35 HENRARD BUGGY Bel
36 PICCO / DAL ZOTTO TOYOTA Ita
37 SMULEVICI / FALAISE NISSAN Fra
38 GOMIERO / PICCHIOTTINO NISSAN Ita
39 DROUET / GUERTON LAND ROVER Fra
40 PUJOLAR / TERMES BELTRAN TOYOTA Esp
41 LE DUC / ALBIERO KIA    Usa
42 BOURGIN / ANCEMENT NISSAN Fra
43 VANDEKERKHOVE / DE LEEUW TOYOTA Bel
44 BUSQUETS / BOSCH TOYOTA Esp
45 PINCHEDEZ / VIDAL TOYOTA Fra
46 SILVEIRA JUNIOR / GALDINO TROLLER Bre
47 LAERENBERGH / VAN ISACKER TOYOTA Bel
48 DUVAL/FABREI NISSAN    Fra
49 BOXOEN / LIEKENS NISSAN TOYOTA Bel
50 ANDRETTA/SIMONI MISTUBISHI Ita
51 KORO/PICCINI TOYOTA Fra
52 ESPITALLIER / METIFIOT TOYOTA Fra
53 CLAUSET / KLINK TROLLER Bre
54 SANTINHO MENDES / FORTES SEAT Por
55 BERTRY/VIVIER MISTUBISHI Fra
56 SKILTON/MEAD KIA Usa
57 SIBELLAS/VIEILLY MISTUBISHI Fra
58 TOMOKAWA/ASADA MISTUBISHI Jap
59 BALAZS / TAMAS CHEVROLET Hon
60 COLESAN/BARTHOLOME NISSAN Bel
61 ASHLEY / SHUCKBURGH TOYOTA Gbr
62 GARDEY/RIAUD NISSAN Fra
63 THIAM/NIANG AMS Sen
64 MENGUY/LOUIN    MISTUBISHI Fra
65 VANSCHEVENSTEEN/JADOT TOYOTA    Bel
66 KHROL/KORNEV MISTUBISHI Rus
67 PEREZ / PEREZ MISTUBISHI TOYOTA Arg
68 MORIZE/DRONNE NISSAN    Fra
69 BARBERENA/INDO MISTUBISHI Esp
70 DIERS/D'EPREMESNIL TOYOTA Fra
71 YBLED / DA ROCHA TOYOTA Fra
72 DUJARDYN/GONNISSEN TOYOTA Bel
73 RAKITIANSKY /KHATCHATOURIAN MISTUBISHI Rus
74 GAUTHIER / VADEBONCOEUR JEEP    Fra
75 MACEDO / MORAES TROLLER Bre
76 MICHELARD/REDON NISSAN Fra
77 PLAZA PEREZ / SALVADOR IBANEZ MISTUBISHI Esp
78 ROUND / ROUND LAND ROVER Gbr
79 AUVRAY / TROPENAT TOYOTA Fra
80 VISY/LACASSAGNE MISTUBISHI Fra
81 AGAR / LOURSEAU TOYOTA Fra
82 CAMACHO/DUARTEMORAIS NISSAN Por
83 DEVEAUX / ADAM FORD Fra
84 NOSHIRO / MORALES NISSAN Jap
85 KERKHOVE / VELDEMAN TOYOTA Bel
86 ETZEL/CHOLLET TOYOTA    Fra
87 ONOUE / MATSUDA SUZUKI Jap
88 MEIER / ESCHLER MISTUBISHI Sui
89 TOULY / BELLE LAND ROVER Sen
90 RAYNAL / GARBINTI TOYOTA Fra
91 GORA / GOMES    TOYOTA Arg
92 PARTRIDGE / PARKER ISUZU Gbr
93 AZAR / DESMAZURE TOYOTA Sen
94 BERESNIVICIUS/ARUNAS TOYOTA Lit
95 DEVAL/DEVAL NISSAN Fra

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 SAINCT BMW Fra
2 GALLARDO BMW Esp
3 LEWIS BMW Usa
4 BRUCY BMW Fra
5 MAYER KTM All
6 BERNARD KTM Fra
7 FLICK KTM Fra
8 KNUIMAN KTM Hol
9 PRO VILAR KTM Por
10 YOSHIO HONDA Jap
11 LUNDMARK KTM Sue
12 ESTEVE PUJOL KTM Esp
13 KARSMAKERS KTM Hol
14 FARRAJOTA KTM Por
15 SIREYJOL HONDA Fra
16 DESPRES HONDA Fra
17 ROMA KTM Esp
18 PIROUD HONDA Fra
19 ROSSELET MONNIER Fra
20 VERCOELEN KTM Hol
21 HAMMOND KTM Gbr
22 AUBREE KTM Fra
23 VAN PELT KTM Hol
24 QUINONERO KTM Fra
25 KARSMAKERS KTM Hol
26 GAU HONDA Fra
27 FARGES KTM Sen
28 MICHIGAN KTM Fra
29 KASTAN HONDA Rtc
30 FONTANIEU YAMAHA Fra
31 VERHEYDEN KTM Bel
32 MEILLAT HONDA Fra
33 CHEVALIER KTM Fra
34 LE BLANC HONDA Fra
35 CARCHERI KTM Ita
36 CRISTANELLI KTM Ita
37 CLEMENT KTM Fra
38 SACCHETTINI KTM Fra
39 PEREZ KTM Esp
40 HEITZ KTM Fra
41 RAMON KTM Bel
42 ANTONY MZ Fra
43 LUNDIN KTM Sue
44 AUBIJOUX YAMAHA Fra
45 COX KTM Afs
46 CZACHOR YAMAHA Pol
47 BRAZINOVA KTM Rtc
48 BRAS KTM Por
49 JACINTO KTM Por
50 MILLET HONDA Fra
51 BELTRAN HORMAECHEA HONDA Esp
52 DABROWSKI YAMAHA Pol
53 MAYER BMW All
54 VINCKIER KTM Bel
55 DROUX KTM Fra
56 PY YAMAHA Fra
57 PUREN HONDA Fra
58 WIECKOWSKI KTM Pol
59 TARRICONE HONDA Ita
60 OLAVE KTM Esp
61 RODRIGUEZ PAYERAS HONDA Esp
62 RAMEL SUZUKI Fra
63 KIENLE KTM Phi
64 SERRANO KTM Esp
65 MARQUES KTM Por
66 POUPONNOT KAWASAKI Fra
67 MACHACEK YAMAHA Rtc
68 DEHAAN KTM Gbr  
69 VAN DER KOOY KTM Hol
70 GILBERT KTM Fra
71 PAPA HONDA Ita
72 VENTURI HONDA Ita
73 LAUNAY YAMAHA Fra
74 VERZELETTI YAMAHA Ita
75 COHENDET KTM Fra
76 PUYPE KTM Bel
77 CHANOINE HONDA Fra
78 VANHEDE YAMAHA Bel
79 HANSEN KTM All
80 BENEKE KTM Lux
81 BALSOTTI SUZUKI Ita
82 BOUZON KTM Fra
83 LELOUP KTM Fra
84 VIGOUROUX YAMAHA Fra
85 CHAMPION HONDA Fra
86 MACCAFERRI YAMAHA Ita
87 YAMAMURA HONDA Jap
88 GOMEZ PELLES HONDA Esp
89 FITZSIMON KTM Irl
90 PICK KTM Fra
91 BERTRAND HONDA Fra
92 SAITO HONDA Jap
93 KADRNKA KTM Cro
94 MC GUIRE KTM Irl
95 CUCURACHI KTM Bel
96 URBACH KTM All
97 LOIZEAUX BMW Fra
98 MURATORI HONDA Ita
99 GOIZUETA FAGALDE HONDA Esp
100 VACHETTE KTM Sen
101 ETARD YAMAHA Fra
102 DIALLO KTM Sen
103 TEINTURIER KAWASAKI Fra
104 MENIGAUD KAWASAKI Fra
105 ETARD YAMAHA Fra
106 ROUDIL YAMAHA Fra
107 DEPREZ SUZUKI Bel

OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS
1 TCHAGUINE/ YAKOUBOV/SAVOSTINE KAMAZ Rus
2 LOPRAIS/STACHURA/GILAR TATRA Rtc
3 KABIROV/BELIAEV/GOLOUB KAMAZ Rus
4 DE AZEVEDO/TOMECEK/ VODAK TATRA Bre
5 SUGAWARA/SUZUKI/SUGAWARA HINO Jap
6 SKLENOVSKY/KORENY/KALINA TATRA Rtc
7 BAUERLE/SCHURHAGL MERCEDES All
8 BOSONNET/LACOURT/BONNAIRE MERCEDES Fra
9 GIMBRE/MARCHEIX/BUI MERCEDES Fra
10 REIF/DEINHOFER/ROTH MAN Aut
11 MALFERIOL/CYWIE/HANSSENS MERCEDES Fra
12 CANONICO/PIO MERCEDES Ita
13 GUIDO/FASANO/CANTO MERCEDES Ita
14 PETIT/DUBUCQ/HAUG MERCEDES Bel
15 JUVENTENY/PARDO/CRIADO MERCEDES Esp
16 DUPUY/ANTONIOLLI/DUBEDAT MERCEDES Fra
17 CNUDDE/MAESSEN/FARRAZUN MERCEDES Bel
18 OLIVERAS E LIAS/CAM PA/DOS REISS MERCEDES Esp
19 TIBAU/GOTLIB/DELGADO MERCEDES Esp
20 VISMARA/CAMBIAGHI MERCEDES Ita
21 GINESTA/MAYMO/FREIRE MERCEDES Fra
22 BESNARD/DUWIME/ADRIAN MERCEDES Fra
23 PELICHET/GATTI/TARGEZ MERCEDES Fra

2001
PARIS - DAKAR

23 PARIS - DAKAR
•
Start: 1st January 2001 in Paris (Champs de Mars)
Finish: 21st January 2001 in Dakar (Lac Rose)
Rest day: 11th January 2001 in Atar
Length of rally: 10,219 km
•
Number of kilometres in special sections: 6,180 km
•
Countries crossed: France, Spain, Morocco,
Mauritania, Mali, Senegal

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS : 358
- At the start: 113 cars
133 motorcycles 30 trucks
33 assistance cars 49 assitance trucks New category : assistance vehicles
- At the finish : 141 vehicles
53 cars
76 motorcycles
12 trucks

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS:
Kleinschmdt/Schulz (All) MITSUBISHI
OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
Fabrizio Meoni (Ita) KTM
OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS :
Loprais/Kalina (Rtc) TATRA

MAIN COMPETITORS
Motorcycle
• KTM : Sainct, Meoni, Sala, Tianen, Arcarons, Cox,
Brucy, De Gavardo, Esteve Pujol
• BMW : A.Mayer, Roma, Lewis, Deacon, Despres
Car
Schlesser : Schlesser-Magne, J.M.Servia- Lurquin,
Alphand-Debron
• Mitsubishi : Fontenay-Picard, Shinozuka-Gallagher,
Kleinschmidt-Schulz, Masuoka-Maimon, Sousa-Polato,
Prieto-Velhinho
• Nissan : De Lavergne-Dubois, De Mevius-Guehennec
• Ford : Wambergue-Rey
Truck
• Hino: Sugawara-Suzuki-Sugawara
• Man : Reif-Pichlbauer-Roth
• Kamaz : Tchaguine-Mardeev-Savostine, Kabirov-
Beliaev-Bigachev
• Tatraz : Loprais-Kalina, De Azevedo-Tomecek-
Martinec

HIGHLIGH
Liquid Dequidt: a member of the "Blaireaux" team, Christian Dequidt, caused a big stir during the checks in Vincennes. This passionate motorcylcle enthusiast is skilled at natural mechanics, and was running his machine on beetroot alcohol. What a surprise!
•
BMW feels the heat: the German team are continuing to be completely innovative. This year, the drivers in the stable have been provided with heated suits for the journey across Europe.
Sala has a stopper: solidarity still exists in the Paris-Dakar. Giovanni Sala, KTM works driver, offered Alain Duclos, an amateur driver, a stopper for his tank.
•
Stars at the Paris-Dakar: we have become used to seeing Luc Alphand and Laurent Bourgnon in the rally. The driver Paul Belmondo was also there, and after five attempts, reached Dakar for the first time.
From cobblestones to the desert: the champion cyclist Frédéric Moncassin also tried the Dakar adventure in the saddle of a KTM.

THE ROUTE
• 1 étape : Paris - Narbonne (916 km dont 6 km de spéciale)
• 2 étape : Narbonne - Castellon (565 km dont 35 km de spéciale)
• 3 étape : Castellon - Almeria (445 km dont 6 km de spéciale)
• 4 étape : Nador - Er Rachidia (603 km dont 130 km de spéciale)
• 5 étape : Er Rachidia - Ouarzazate (572 km dont 333 km de spéciale)
• 6 étape : Ouarzazate - Goulimine (608 km dont 305 km de spéciale)
• 7 étape : Goulimine - Smara (489 km dont 420 km de spéciale)
• 8 étape : Smara - El Ghallaouiya (628 km dont 619 km de spéciale)
• 9 étape : El Ghallaouiya - El Ghallaouiya (518 km de spéciale)
• 10 étape : El Gallaouiya - Atar (440,5 km dont 435,5 km de spéciale)
• 11 étape : Atar - Nouakchott (508 km dont 437 km de spéciale)
• 12 étape : Nouakchott - Tidjikja (508 km dont 437 km de spéciale)
• 13 étape : Tidjikja-Tidjikja (535 km dont 513 de spéciale)
• 14 étape : Tidjikja - Tichit (243 km dont 230 de spéciale)
• 15 étape : Tichit - Nema (409 km de spéciale)
• 16 étape : Nema - Bamako (776 km dont 214 km de spéciale)
• 17 étape : Bamako - Bakel (804 km dont 370 km de spéciale)
• 18 étape : Bakel - Tambacounda (292 km dont 285 km de spéciale)
• 19 étape : Tambacounda - Dakar (564 km dont 217 de spéciale)
• 20 étape : Dakar - Dakar (95 km dont 25 km de spéciale)

THE RACE
• 1 stage: Paris - Narbonne (916 km with special section of 6 km)
The preliminaries,, which took place on the La Châtre circuit, saw the two motorcycle riders arrive in a dead heat ; Roma on his BMW and Sala in the saddle of his KTM. In the cars, Servia was fastest, just in front of Jean-Louis Schlesser, the great favourite in this year's rally.
• 2 stage: Narbonne - Castellon (565 km with special section of 35 km)
The sun accompanied the competitors to the day's special section which took place at Château-Lastours. Among the motorbikes, Richard Sainct came in in front of Roma while Schlesser outstripped the Jaoanese Masuoka. Tchaguine was already making his presence felt on his Kamaz.
• 3 stage: Castellon - Almeria (445 km with special section of 6 km)
The beach at Castellon was a nightmare for a number of favourites. Saby, Wambergue and Shinozuka became bogged down in the sand and Fontenay escaped magnificently from the Iberian trap. Azevedo and his Tatra dominated the contests. The negotiations with the Spanish Motorcycle Federation also became bogged down: the special section was cancelled.
• 4 stage: Nador - Er Rachidia (603 km with special section of 130 km)
After one night at sea, Morocco welcomed the rally. KTM showed their superiority by placing five drivers in the first five places, and Sainct showed himself to be the fastest of the group. In the cars, Schlesser fought like a lion. Starting in thirteenth place, he took the special section and also seized first place overall. In T1, Lartigue was the new overall leader in front of Peterhansel and Magnaldi. Tchaguine continued his progress and, once again, imposed the power of his Kamaz.
• 5 stage: Er Rachidia - Ouarzazate (572 km with special section of 333 km)
The day's programme included the first dunes. There was also a first for the Chilian De Gavardo who became the first South American to make an impact in a motorcycle special section. Servia played a tactical game thanks to the abililty of his navigator, Lurquin. The Spaniard cut through the dunes and outstripped Schlesser and Fontenay. The first lorry to rocket out of the dunes was, once again, Tchaguine's. In T1, Magnaldi took the double and took the overall lead.
• 6 stage: Ouarzazate - Goulimine (608 km with special section of 305 km)
Roma achieved his goal and gave BMW their first success in this year's rally. Among the cars, Schlesser was fastest ahead of his team-mate and the Fontenay/Picard duo. Among the lorries, nothing new in the East, still always Tchaguine.
• 7 stage: Goulimine - Smara (489 km with special section of 420 km)
Great drama at the 134-kilometre mark of this special section. Schlesser stalled and was pushed into the nuetral zone of the CP 2. No appeal was possible against the hour's penalty which was imposed: he slipped to eighth overall. Masuoka took advantage of this to take the special section and install himself at the head of the rally. Among the motorbikes, Cox, Tiainen and Sala had more mechanical problems and lost long, precious minutes. Esteve Pujol dominated the proceedings. Among the lorries, Loprais appeared in his Tatra. Peterhansel, the desert fox, made his experience of the course count and took the overall lead.
• 8 stage: Smara - El Ghallaouiya (628 km with special section of 619 km)
Victory for Roma on his BMW. Cox, starting at 59th because of his mechanical problems the previous day, managed a superb third place. Among the cars, Servia outstripped Masuoka while Schlesser again lost a great deal of time. One Kamaz can hide another: this time it was Kabirov who took it. Peter the cunning reinforced his place as leader ahead of Magnaldi and Lartigue.
• 9 special stage: El Ghallaouiya - El Ghallaouiya (518 km)
In a special section where navigation was crucial, Esteve Pujol was dominant for the second time in three days. Among the cars, Kleinschmidt turned out to be the most crafty. At 7.30pm, only forty competitors were able to reach the bivouac.
• 10 special stage: El Gallaouiya - Atar (440,5 km with special section of 435,5 km)
Rotten day for the favourites. Among the motorbikes, Roma and Sainct dropped out, and Meoni became leader. Among the lorries, Kabir's Kamaz stayed stuck in the dunes, which allowed Loprais to take the overall lead. Among the cars, Servia also had trouble with the dunes and lost an hour. Masuoka for his part consolidated his position as leader.
• 11 stage: Atar - Nouakchott (508 km with special section of 437 km)
Ludmark took his first victory in the saddle of his KTM. Servia was dominant for the third time since the start. Once again, Masuoka confirmed his place as leader.
• 12 stage: Nouakchott - Tidjikja (508 km with special section of 437 km)
Status quo at the head of the different classes. The day's winners were Arcarons, Tchaguine and Schlesser, which proves to everyone that they still have to reckon with him between here and Dakar.
• 13 stage: Tidjikja-Tidjikja (535 km with special section of 513)
In the main stage of this 23rd rally, the Finn Tiainen, who had wrecked his engine the previous day, dominated, although he had started the day in 79th place. Among the cars, Masuoka imposed his superiority on Schlesser and Souza. In T1, Peterhansel still outstripped Magnaldi. Loprais, as the wheel of his Tatra, reinforced his domination of the rally when Tchaguine was compelled to quit. He suffered no incidents and achieved his sixth victory in the Paris-Dakar.
• 14 stage: Tidjikja - Tichit (243 km with special section of 230)
Second consecutive victory for Tianen. Among the cars, Schlesser dominated and caught up three minutes and twenty-six seconds on Masuoka.
• 15 stage: Tichit - Nema (409 km)
One day followed another the same as each other for Tianen, who dominated there for the third time in three days. Among the cars, Schlesser and Masuoka competed frantically. The Franco-Japanese war turned to the advantage of the Japanese who, however, had fallen victim to a puncture 30km from the finish.
• 16 stage: Nema - Bamako (776 km with special section of 214 km)
In the middle of the Sahel, Cox took his second special section. Overall, Meoni was still outstripping Arcarons. Among the cars, Masuoka, the victim of mechanical problems, lost more than thirty minutes on Schlesser. The name of the day's victor was Souza.
• 17 stage: Bamako - Bakel (804 km with special section of 370 km)
In the car, Masuoka, who had left in 29th posiiton, remained blocked behind another competitor for fifty kilometres. Thanks to a heroic sprint, he only conceded 37 seconds to Schlesser, victor in the special section. On the motorbikes, Sala dominated the contests. Overall, the positions remained fixed: Meoni, Arcarons and De Gavardo.
• 18 stage: Bakel - Tambacounda (292 km with special section of 285 km)
On the narrow roads of Senegal, Després dominated the proceedings for the first time in this year's race. Among the cars, the reshuffling of places between Schlesser and Masuoka continued. The Japanese imperiously emphasised his lead in the class.
• 19 stage: Tambacounda - Dakar (564 km with special section of 217)
Second victory in three days for Sala. Due to unfortunate strategy or human error, Schlesser and Servia missed their start time and launched into the special section just in front of Masuoka when they were supposed to leave after him. The Japanese found that he had two rivals to pass, and Servia was hiding Schlesser. The result of this was that Masuoka left the road and broke the steering joint of his offside rear wheel. At 10.30pm, the penalty kicked in. The marshalls imposed an hour's penalty to Schlesser's team. Fighting off all comers, Jutta Kleinschmidt was back at the head overall.
• 20 stage: Dakar - Dakar (95 km with special section of 25 km)
Kleinschmidt was 25 km from realising her dream. Schlesser's team took a double in front of the "Mistu" but it was all over, the German became the first woman to mount the highest step of the podium at Dakar. On the motorbikes, Fabrizio Meoni, aged 43, unsurprisingly dominated. Stéphane Peterhasel, six times winner on a motorcycle, took the category T1. Among the lorries, the Czech Loprais confirmed his supremacy.

SUBSIDIARY
1 Paris-Narbonne 916 Liaison
2 Narbonne-Castellon 560 Schlesser/Magne Tchaguine Rus Sainct Fra KTM
3 Castellon-Almeria 445 Fontenay/Picard De Azevedo Bre Sainct Fra KTM
4 Nador-Er Rachidia 602 Schlesser/Magne Tchaguine Rus De Gavardo Chi KTM
5 Er Rachidia-Ouarzazate 572 Servia/Lurquin Tchaguine Rus Roma Esp BMW
6 Ouarzazate-Goulimine 608 Schlesser/Magne Tchaguine Rus Esteve Pujol Esp KTM
7 Goulimine-Smara 489 Masuoka/Maimon Loprais Tch Roma Esp BMW
8 Smara-El Ghallaouiya 628 Servia/Lurquin Kabirov Rus Esteve Pujol Esp KTM
9 El Ghallaouiya-El Ghallaouiya 518 Schlesser/Magne Loprais Tch Cox Afs    KTM
10 El Ghallaouiya-Atar 440 Masuoka/Maimon Loprais Tch Lundmark Sue KTM
11 Atar-Nouakchott 508 Servia/Lurquin Reif Aut Arcarons Esp KTM
12 Nouakchott-Tidjikja 654 Schlesser/Magne Tchaguine Rus Tiainen Fin KTM
13 Tidjikja-Tidjikja 535 Masuoka/Maimon Loprais    Tch Tiainen Fin KTM
14 Tidjikja-Tichit 234 Schlesser/Magne Loprais Tch Tiainen Fin KTM
15 Tichit-Nema 499 Masuoka/Maimon Loprais Tch Cox Afs KTM
16 Nema-Bamako 776 Sousa/Polato Pattono    Ita
17 Bamako-Bakel 804 Schlesser/Magne Loprais Tch Sala Ita KTM
18 Bakel-Tambacounda 292 Masuoka/Maimon Reif Aut Despres Fra BMW
19 Tambacounda-Dakar 564 Sousa/Polato Reif Aut Sala Ita KTM
20 Dakar-Dakar 95 Servia/Lurquin Loprais Tch Tiainen Fin KTM

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS
1 KLEINSCHMIDT/SCHULZ MITSUBISHI
2 MASUOKA / MAIMON MITSUBISHI
3 SCHLESSER / MAGNE SCHLESSER
4 SERVIA / LURQUIN SCHLESSER
5 SOUSA / POLATO MITSUBISHI
6 FONTENAY/PICARD MITSUBISHI
7 HENRARD / MARTINEZ VOLKSWAGEN
8 DE MEVIUS / GUEHENNEC    NISSAN
9 DE LAVERGNE / DUBOIS NISSAN
10 BOURGNON / LENEVEU NISSAN
11 GUINOT / KROISS NISSAN
12 PETERHANSEL / ALCARAZ NISSAN
13 SABY / DELLI - ZOTTI    FORD
14 VAN CAUWENBERGE / DEVOS TOYOTA
15 MAGNALDI / BORSOTTO MERCEDES
16 RAKITIANSKY / PYALIN    MITSUBISHI
17 PESCAROLO / DE LIEDEKERKE NISSAN
18 HOUSIEAUX / DOMINELLA NISSAN
19 KHROL / MARZALIOVK MITSUBISHI
20 GOMEZ/MARTIN    NISSAN
21 MONTERDE/CRUZSENRA NISSAN
22 VARELA / FADIGATTI TROLLER
23 SIBELLAS / VIEILLY MITSUBISHI
24 POISSONNEAU / ETTIENNE NISSAN
25 WAUTERS / DAMEN TOYOTA
26 LHOTELLERIE / LEHERON MITSUBISHI
27 RATET/GARCIN    TOYOTA
28 LORA LAMIA / DI PERSIO NISSAN
29 BELMONDO / BOSCH TOYOTA
30 SHINOZUKA / GALLAGHER MITSUBISHI
31 TRANZER/SINGEOT NISSAN
32 HAUG / WOLF
33 HINOJOSA / MERINO COLLADO TOYOTA
34 MART / SAINZ    TOYOTA
35 STANCO / DZURKA TOYOTA
36 SALINERO / CERVANTES    NISSAN
37 VIGOUROUX / MICQUIAUX FORD
38 ICKX / VAN DEN BROECK TOYOTA
39 LE DUC / TORNABELL KIA
40 STRUGO / LARROQUE MERCEDES
41 COMOLLI / CENTIMES NISSAN
42 LABROUSSE / ROUAULT NISSAN TOYOTA
43 CLAUSET / NIECKLE MITSUBISHI
44 CERUTTI / GATTINO TOYOTA
45 VERHAEST / BERREVOETS TOYOTA
46 LIEKENS / LAERENBERGH TOYOTA
47 LANSAC / JACQMARD MERCEDES
48 RIVIERE / FOURTICQ NISSAN
49 ANQUETIL / ARGUELLES    NISSAN
50 BECKERS / VANHEDE TOYOTA
51 RAUD / DUCOM    TOYOTA
52 MILHAU / IRISSOU TOYOTA
53 THIAM TOYOTA

OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS
1 LOPRAIS / KALINA TATRA
2 SUGAWARA / SUZUKI HINO
3 REIF / PICHLBAUER MAN
4 MARCHEIX / GENIBREL MERCEDES
5 PATTONO / PLATEAU MERCEDES
6 MALFERIOL / SANZ CASTRO MERCEDES
7 JUVENTENY / MARCO MERCEDES
8 BEKX / DE ROODER GINAF
9 PETIT / DUBUCQ MERCEDES
10 PUJOL CREUS / LEGAL MERCEDES
11 GOVAERE/ESPEEL MAN
12 CALZI / LANGELLA MERCEDES

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 MEONI KTM Ita
2 ARCARONS KTM Esp
3 DE GAVARDO KTM Chi
4 ESTEVE PUJOL KTM Esp
5 COX KTM Afs
6 DEACON BMW Gbr
7 LEWIS BMW Usa
8 CAMPBELL HONDA Usa
9 BRUCY KTM Fra
10 VILLAR KTM Por
11 SIREYJOL HONDA Fra
12 MARQUES HONDA Por
13 DESPRES BMW Fra
14 SALA KTM Ita
15 MEILLAT HONDA Fra
16 AUBIJOUX HONDA Fra
17 VERHOEF KTM    Hol
18 QUINONERO KTM Fra
19 CASTELA A LA MARTINS KTM Por
20 GORRARA KTM Ita
21 STANOVNIK HUSQVARNA Slo
22 MITSUHASHI HONDA Jap
23 GOUVEIA HONDA Bre
24 CZACHOR HONDA Pol
25 TIANEN KTM Fin
26 VERCOELEN KTM Hol
27 VERHEYDEN KTM Bel
28 BRAZINOVA KTM Rtc
29 GINEPRO HONDA Ita
30 MAYER BMW All
31 PEREZ GUMBAU YAMAHA Esp
32 DEBOFFE HONDA Fra
33 CROQUELOIS HONDA Fra
34 MONTAZ ROSSET HONDA Fra
35 BOYER HONDA Fra
36 MOREL KTM Fra
37 CARCHERI KTM    Ita
38 SACCHETTINI HONDA Fra
39 BONNET KTM Fra
40 JOBARD KTM Fra
41 LOUAPRE HONDA Fra
42 BOURDON KTM    Fra
43 MACHACEK YAMAHA Rtc
44 GUILLAUME YAMAHA Sui
45 POLIMAC LEVI KTM Cro
46 HEITZ KTM Fra
47 RAMOS MARTINEZ SUZUKI Esp
48 TARRICONE HONDA Ita
49 HAUTOT YAMAHA Fra
50 PIROUD HONDA    Fra
51 COUVAL HONDA    Fra
52 BURGER HONDA    Hol
53 COTTET YAMAHA Sui
54 ROOSE APRILIA Hol
55 GRIGNAC HONDA Fra
56 JACINTO KTM    Por
57 MACHADO KTM    Por
58 HACKING HONDA Can
59 MONTEAUD HONDA Fra
60 DUCLOS HONDA    Fra
61 KINOSHITA HONDA Jap
62 HOSONO HONDA    Jap
63 AIVAZIAN HONDA Fra
64 HUGHES HONDA    Gbr
65 MURATORI HONDA Ita
66 BERMUDES KTM    Fra
67 ROZAND KTM Fra
68 FONTANIEU YAMAHA Fra
69 PETRAS SUZUKI Esp
70 DARNIS HONDA    Fra
71 LE GOFF YAMAHA Fra
72 GRAJWODA HONDA Fra
73 DIALLO HONDA    Sen
74 LINARES HONDA Esp
75 FARELL PASTOR HONDA Esp
76 VION HONDA Fra

2002
ARRAS - MADRID - DAKAR

24th ARRAS - MADRID - DAKAR
• Start: 28th December 2002 from Arras
• Finish: 13th January 2002 at Dakar (Lac Rose)
• Rest day: 6th January 2002 at Atar
• Length of rally: 9,436 km
• Number of kilometres in special sections: 6,486 km
• Countries crossed: France, Spain, Morocco,
Mauritania, Senegal

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 425
- At the start :  117 cars
167 motorcycles 34 trucks
53 assistance cars
54 assistance trucks
- At the finish : 132 vehicles
52 cars
58 motorcycles
22 trucks

OVERALLCAR STANDINGS :
Masuoka/Maimon (Jap/Fra) MITSUBISHI
OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS :
Fabrizio Meoni (Ita) KTM
OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS :
Tchaguine/Mardeev/Savostine (Rus) KAMAZ

COMPETITORS
Motorcycle
• KTM : Sainct, Meoni, Arcarons, Sala, Tianen, Cox,
Brucy, De Gavardo, Esteve Pujol, Roma, Despres,
Bernard, Villar, Marques, Mayer
• Touratech : Flick, Py,Moncassin, Griep, Algay ,
Rousseau
Car
• Schlesser-Renault : Schlesser-Magne, J.M.Servia-
Oller, Henrard-Lurquin
• Mitsubishi : Fontenay-Picard, Shinozuka-Delli-Zotti,
Kleinschmidt-Schulz, Masuoka-Maimon, Sousa-Jesus,
Alphand-Debron
• Nissan : De Lavergne-Dubois, De Mevius-Guehennec,
Peterhansel-Cottret, Bourgnon-Leneveu, Hallyday-
Medge
• Ford : Saby-Boussier
Truck
• Hino: Sugawara-Suzuki-Matsumoto
• Man : Reif-Pichlbauer
• Kamaz : Tchaguine-Mardeev-Savostine
• Tatraz : Loprais-Kalina-Hamerla, De Azevedo-
Tomecek-Martinec
• Daf: De Rooy-De Rooy-Geusens

HIGHLIGTHS
The dream of the youngsters' idol: Johnny Hallyday took part in the Paris-Dakar for the first time. In the singer's own words, "It was a dream, my dream as a kid".
A New Beetle in the race: Lechleiter and Lapp had decided to start the 24th race aboard a new Beetle. You can still be "fashionable", even in the desert!
Fast, but not too fast: Eric Boieldieu, caught doing 232 km per hour on the motorway getting to the checks at Arras, very nearly did not make the start. Fortunately, after reaching an agreement with the Police, he was finally able to start the rally, but on condition that he did not exceed 130 km per hour in Europe.
Cold sweats: Nissan and Dessoude lined up in two prototype pick-up trucks which made Mitsubishi break out in a cold sweat in the first part of the rally.
• Two amateurs at the wheel: Manu Bauchau and Yves Chaix were able to take part thanks to "Volant jeune Total". They
finished in creditable 41st place.
• And eight for "Mitsu" : eight of the Japanese cars in the first eight places overall in the car class.
• Force 11 "KTM" : the Austrian firm does better with eleven motorbikes at the head of the Paris-Dakar.
• F1 at the Paris-Dakar: Ukyo Katayama, formerly a Formula 1 driver with 95 Grand Prix to his credit, finished in 40th
position at the wheel of his Toyota.
• Mad Max, the Return: fourteen years after his last appearance at the Paris-Dakar, the Dutchman De Rooy, winner in 87,
made his great return at the wheel of his DAF.

THE ROUTE
1/2 étape : Arras - Châteauroux - Narbonne (1059 km dont 6 km de spéciale)
• 3 étape : Narbonne -Madrid (906 km dont 35 km de spéciale)
• 4 étape : Madrid - Rabat (935 km dont 6 km de spéciale)
• 5 étape : Rabat - Er Rachidia (539 km dont 85 de spéciale)
• 6 étape : Er Rachidia - Ouarzazate (576 km dont 338 km de spéciale)
• 7 étape : Ouarzazate - Tan Tan (793 km dont 351 km de spéciale)
• 8 étape : Tan Tan - Zouerate (739 km dont 370 km de spéciale)
• 9 étape : Zouerate - Atar (396 km 383 km de spéciale)
• 10 étape : Atar - Atar (382 km dont 344 km de spéciale)
• 11 étape : Atar - Tidjikja (502 km dont 467 km de spéciale)
• 12 étape : Tidjikja - Tichit (500 km dont 482 km de spéciale)
• 13 étape : Tichit - Tichit (422 km de spéciale)
• 14 étape : Tichit - Kiffa (473 km dont 467 km de spéciale)
• 15 étape : Kiffa - Dakar (1011 km dont 165 de spéciale)
• 16 étape : Dakar - Dakar (69 km dont 31 km de spéciale)

THE RACE
• 1st/2nd stage: Arras - Châteauroux - Narbonne (1059 km with special section of 6 km)
The Grand Start of the 24th Paris-Dakar, taking place at Arras in northern France, was an immense popular success. The competitors launched themselves into the adventure, towards Châteauroux, to the applause of an immense crowd come to celebrate the slaves of the road. On the motorbikes, Pierre Quinonero was the first to stand out in the mud of the Châteauroux circuit. Among the cars, Fernando Gil was the surprise winner.
• 3rd stage: Narbonne - Madrid (906 km with special section of 35 km)
At Narbonne, the competitors were greeted by the sun for the second special section. On the motorbikes, Sainct was the fastest. Among the cars, the Belgian De Mevius led the proceedings, ten years after the last victory of a Belgian: Ickx in 1991. After being deprived of their playground because of the mud, the lorries at last came onto the course. Pattono took the opportunity to dominate in his Mercedes.
• 4th stage: Madrid - Rabat (935 km with special section of 6 km)
Madrid is the theatre for the Spanish stage. The cold and the rain were the surprise guests at this, the last special section in Europe. In front of his public, Roma put on a show and took the overall lead. Among the cars, Gil dominated the proceedings for the second time in three days. Schlesser's 105th place was notable, stuck in the Iberian mud. The special section for the lorries was cancelled.
• 5th stage: Rabat - Er Rachidia (539 km with special section of 85 km)
The first African special section and the first success for Masuoka. In the Production class, Lhotellerie took command at the expense of De Lavergne. On the motorbikes, De Gavardo was the fastest, as De Rooy dominated in his DAF among the lorries. This was a special section marked by speed checks held on the roads through villages. Numerous favourites were penalised as a result of speeding.
• 6th stage: Er Rachidia - Ouarzazate (576 km with special section of 338 km)
In the day's programme, the competitors attacked the formidable Erg Chebbi. On the motorbikes, Arcarons won a prestigious victory, while among the cars it was another Desert Fox who dominated: Stéphane Peterhansel. The adventure was already over for Schlesser: his dreams of victories went up in smoke, as did his buggy. In the lorries, as on the previous day, Tchaguine triumphed at the wheel of his Kamaz.
• 7th stage: Ouarzazate - Tan Tan (793 km with special section of 351 km)
On the motorbikes, De Gavardo took the special section but Roma retained the overall lead. Among the cars, Masuoka had his second success. In the lorries, still always Tchaguine.
• 8th stage: Tan Tan - Zouerate (739 km with special section of 370 km)
A good day for Meoni as the rally arrived in Mauritania. He at last dominated with the power of his KTM, took the special section, and took the lead overall. In contrast, it was all over for Servia, victim of mechanical problems. Shinozuka won the special section, as did the imperious Tchaguine.
• 9th stage: Zouerate - Atar (396 km with special section of 383 km)
On the motorbikes, a victory for Tianen, while De Gavardo put on a show. Meoni nonetheless kept command of the rally. Among the cars, Masuoka flew through the special section and consolidated his position as leader before the rest day. In the lorries, the fourth consecutive success for Tchaguine.
• 10th   stage: Atar - Atar (382 km with special section of 344 km)
No GPS during this special section. On the motorbikes, Cox fittingly celebrated his 39th birthday by taking the special section. Among the cars, Kleinschmidt, dominated her team-mates. In the lorries, De Azevedo outstripped Loprais and Tchaguine.
• 11th   stage: Atar - Tidjikja (502 km with special section of 467 km)
The third victory for De Gavardo but Meoni remained comfortably settled as leader. Among the cars, a fourth success for Masuoka which confirmed once again that he really was the man to beat in this 24th race. In the Production category, Delavergne was also still at the head of the category.
• 12th stage: Tidjikja - Tichit (500 km with special section of 482 km)
Roma profited from this selective stage to close the gap and come up to only a minute behind Meoni overall. Among the cars, Fontenay won his first success in a stage while Peterhansel had to give up.
• 13th stage: Tichit - Tichit (422 km special section)
In the absence of GPS, this stage was reserved for the expert navigators. On the motorbikes, Sala was the most cunning. The leaders were neutralised, very close together as in the great times of Calcio. Among the cars, Masuoka took the special section and once again emphasised his progress towards the overall lead.
• 14th stage: Tichit - Kiffa (473 km with special section of 467 km)
Great drama in the rally. Following a navigation error, Roma went off course and realised that he had lost the Paris-Dakar. Meoni stayed on course and ensured his second consecutive victory at Dakar. Among the cars, Kleinschmidt took the special section and taking the second place from Shinozuka. In the Production class, Jean-Jacques Ratet lost his place as leader to De Lavergne's advantage. In the lorries, Tchaguine gained his seventh success since the start at Arras.
• 15h stage: Kiffa - Dakar (1011 km with special section of 165)
Status quo at the head overall as the Lac Rose appears on the horizon. On the motorbikes, victory for the Portuguese Villar. Among the cars, De Mevius, already the winner at Narbonne, confirmed the abilities of his Nissan pick-up.
• 16th stage: Dakar - Dakar (69 km with special section of 31 km)
At Dakar, De Mevius in his car, Sala on his bike and De Azevedo in his lorry won a prestigious victory beside the Lac Rose. Overall, through Masuoka, Mitsubishi were able to dominate for the seventh time in their history. On the motorbikes, Meoni took the double and dominated for the second consecutive time on his KTM. In the lorries, Tchaguine mounted the top step of the podium. Finally, victory in the Production category went to the De Lavergne/Dubois team.

• Stage victories
1 Arras-Châteauroux 465 Liaison Annulée
2 Châteauroux-Narbonne 598 Gil/Tornaball Esp Seat Quinonero Fra KTM Pattono Ita Mercedes
3 Narbonne-Madrid 930 De Mevius/Guehennec Bel Nissan Sainct Fra KTM Annulée
4 Madrid-Rabat 961 Gil/Tornaball Esp Seat Roma Esp KTM J.De Rooy Hol DAF
5 Rabat-Er Rachidia 534 Masuoka/Maimon Jap Mitsubishi De Gavardo Chi KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
6 Er Rachidia-Ouarzazate 576 Peterhansel/Cottret Fra Nissan Arcarons Esp KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
7 Ouarzazate-Tan Tan 793 Masuoka/Maimon    Jap Mitsubishi De Gavardo Chi KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
8 Tan Tan-Zouerat 739 Shinozuka/Delli-Zotti Jap Mitsubishi Meoni Ita KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
9 Zouerat-Atar 396 Masuoka/Maimon Jap Mitsubishi Tiainen Fin KTM De Azevedo Bre Tatra
10 Atar-Atar 404 Kleinschmidt/Schulz All Mitsubishi Cox Afs KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
11 Atar-Tidjikdja 502 Masuoka/Maimon Jap Mitsubishi De Gavardo Chi KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
12 Tidjikdja-Tichit 538 Fontenay/Picard    Fra Mitsubishi Cox Afs KTM Loprais Tch Tatra
13 Tichit-Tichit 450 Masuoka/Maimon Jap Mitsubishi Sala Ita KTM
14 Tichit-Kiffa 461 Kleinschmidt/Schulz All Mitsubishi Meoni Ita KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
15 Kiffa-Dakar 1011 De Mevius/Guehennec Bel Nissan Villar Por KTM De Azevedo Bre Tatra
16 Dakar-Dakar 69 De Mevius/Guehennec Bel Nissan Sala Ita KTM De Azevedo Bre Tatra

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS
1 MASUOKA / MAIMON MISTUBISHI Jap
2 KLEINSCHMIDT / SCHULZ MISTUBISHI All
3 SHINOZUKA / DELLI - ZOTTI MISTUBISHI Jap
4 FONTENAY / PICARD MISTUBISHI Fra
5 SOUSA / JESUS MISTUBISHI Por
6 AL HAJRI / STEVENSON MISTUBISHI Qat
7 ALPHAND / DEBRON MISTUBISHI Fra
8 KOLBERG / LARROQUE MISTUBISHI    Bre
9 RATET / GARCIN TOYOTA    Fra
10 MISSLIN / POLATO MISTUBISHI Fra
11 DE LAVERGNE / DUBOIS    NISSAN Fra
12 LHOTELLERIE / LEHERON MISTUBISHI Fra
13 BOURGNON / LENEVEU NISSAN Sui
14 STRUGO / CATTARELLI MERCEDES    Fra
15 ASAGA / ARAKAWA TOYOTA Jap
16 LORA LAMIA / DI PERSIO MISTUBISHI Ita
17 MONTERDE / PIO NISSAN Esp
18 ARNOUX / LAPEYRE PEUGEOT Fra
19 MILLER / VON ZITZEWITZ TOYOTA Usa
20 VACHER / FAGOT NISSAN Fra
21 SALVATORE / GILLONNIER TOYOTA Fra
22 WAUTERS / DAMEN TOYOTA Bel
23 BARKAT / BARKAT MISTUBISHI Isr
24 VILA ALTIMIR / PALACIOS BMW Esp
25 MOLTKE-LETH / SOEREN TOYOTA Dan
26 FOJ / VILA TOYOTA Esp
27 DE MEVIUS / GUEHENNEC NISSAN  Bel
28 ICKX / LARDEAU TOYOTA Bel
29 KAMOUN / FARGES TOYOTA Sen
30 GUINOT / KROISS NISSAN Fra
31 LEYDS / BLOM    TOYOTA Hol
32 DE BORREKENS / PAUWELS TOYOTA Bel
33 BOURGIN / DE WEINDEL NISSAN Fra
34 HARINGER / ALBIERO MACMOTER Ita
35 MORIZE / ROYER MERCEDES Fra
36 GAUTHIER / VADEBONCOEUR JEEP Fra
37 CLAEYS / CLAEYS TOYOTA Bel
38 MENGUY/ANTONIOLLI MERCEDES Fra
39 GIBON/GIBON TOYOTA Fra
40 KATAYAMA/HAYASHI TOYOTA Jap
41 BAUCHAU / CHAIX TOYOTA Fra
42 SAIKI/YAMADA TOYOTA Jap
43 CHAOUCH / CHEDLY TOYOTA Tun
44 WOJCIECHOWSKA / KAZBERUK TOYOTA Pol
45 GORA / GOMES TOYOTA Arg
46 GIL / TORNABELL SEAT    Esp
47 HOUSIEAUX/DOMINELLA NISSAN Fra
48 PICCO / DAL ZOTTO TOYOTA Ita
49 HALLYDAY / METGE NISSAN Fra
50 DE SADELEER / BRUYKENS TOYOTA Bel
51 PETRUS/KASTELIONIS TOYOTA Lit
52 ROSENBLAD/ROOS TOYOTA Sui

OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS
1 TCHAGUINE/YAKOUBOV KAMAZ Rus
2 LOPRAIS / KALINA TATRA Rtc
3 SUGAWARA / MATSUMOTO HINO Jap
4 REIF/PICHLBAUER MAN Aut
5 BOSONNET/LACOURT MERCEDES Fra
6 DE ROOY / DE ROOY DAF Bel
7 KROPFEL/ANZINI MAN All
8 BARILLA / MARZOTTO MERCEDES Ita
9 PATTONO/TONI MERCEDES Ita
10 DE AZEVEDO / TOMECEK TATRA Bre
11 SADLAUER/MICOZZI MAN Aut
12 ECHTER / HAUG MAN All
13 DUPUY-GARDEL MERCEDES Fra
14 CALZI / FURLOTTI MERCEDES Ita
15 MEROLA / FUMAGALLI IVECO Ita
16 MOLINA / BRAULT RENAULT Fra
17 JACQUOT/SIMONIN MAN Fra
18 BEKX / VAN GINKEL GINAF Hol
19 GAMBILLON/PLATEAU MERCEDES Fra
20 GINESTA / GONZALES CARPI MERCEDES Fra
21 BENBEKHTI/MARTINEAU MITSUBISHI Fra
22 ANCEMENT/CHAPON MERCEDES Fra

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 MEONI KTM Ita
2 COX KTM Afs
3 SAINCT KTM Fra
4 DE GAVARDO KTM Chi
5 ESTEVE PUJOL KTM Esp
6 SALA KTM Ita
7 ARCARONS KTM Esp
8 BERNARD KTM Fra
9 ULLEVALSETER KTM Nor
10 MARQUES KTM Por
11 QUINONERO KTM Fra
12 MITSUHASHI HONDA Jap
13 ESCUDER KTM Esp
14 VERHOEF KTM Hol
15 VILLAR KTM Por
16 GIROUX KTM Can
17 AMARAL KTM Por
18 GORRARA KTM Ita
19 CHEVALLIER KTM Fra
20 CZACHOR KTM Pol
21 DABROWSKI KTM Pol
22 MEILLAT HONDA Fra
23 MAYER KTM All
24 SACCHETTINI HONDA Fra
25 GOUVEIA HONDA Bre
26 ALGAY TOURATECH Fra
27 BENNEROTTE YAMAHA Fra
28 MOREL KTM Fra
29 GRIEP TOURATECH All
30 BONNET KTM Fra
31 HOTTA HONDA Jap
32 MONTAZ ROSSET HONDA Fra
33 DOMENECH VIVES HONDA Esp
34 MERKIT KTM Tur
35 LUNDIN KTM Sue
36 BASTOUILH HONDA Fra
37 CARCHERI KTM Ita
38 CRISTANELLI HONDA Ita
39 STENNIER KTM Bel
40 TARRICONE HONDA Ita
41 PALADINI HONDA Ita
42 FRANCOIS HONDA Fra
43 LEPAN YAMAHA Fra
44 MINGIONE HONDA Bre
45 GOSSELIN HONDA Fra
46 DIALLO HONDA Sen
47 AZEVEDO HONDA Bre
48 COUVAL HONDA Fra
49 DUBEAU MONNIER Can
50 SANDELL KTM Sue
51 STEURI ALFER Esp
52 ARNOULT HONDA Fra
53 ROBIN HONDA Fra
54 SEEL HONDA Sue
55 MATSUKAWA KTM Jap
56 ROZAND KTM Tog
57 NANGA KTM Buf
58 TRESOLDI SUZUKI Ita

2003
MARSEILLE - SHARM EL SHEIKH

25th MARSEILLE - SHARM EL SHEIKH
Start: 1st January 2003 from Marseille
Finish: 19th January 2003 in Sharm El Sheikh
Rest Day: 13th January at Siwa (Egypt)
Length of rally: 8,552 km
Number of kilometres in special sections: 5,216 km
Countries crossed: France, Spain, Tunisia, Libya,
Egypt

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 490
- At the start :  130 cars
162 motorcycles 51 trucks
73 assistance cars
74 assitance trucks
- At the finish : 186 vehicles
61 cars
98 motorcycles
27 trucks
OVERALL CAR STANDINGS :
Masuoka/Schulz (Jap/All) MITSUBISHI
OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS :
Richard Sainct (Fra) KTM
OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS :
Tchaguine/Yakoubov/Savostine (Rus) KAMAZ

MAIN COMPETITORS
Motorcycle
• KTM : Sainct, Meoni, Arcarons, Sala, Cox, Brucy, De
Gavardo, Esteve Pujol, Roma, Despres, Marques,
Flick...
Car
• Schlesser-Ford : Schlesser-Lurquin, J.M.Servia- Oller
• Mitsubishi : Masuoka-Schulz, Fontenay-Picard,
Peterhansel-Cottret, Sousa-Magne, Biasion-Siviero,
Monterde-Tornabell
• Nissan : Vatanen-Thorner, De Villiers-Maimon,
Shinozuka-Delli-Zotti, De Lavergne-Dubois, Belmondo-
Alcaraz
• Volkswagen : Henrard-Willis, Kleinschmidt-Pons
• BMW : De Mevius-Guehennec, Alphand-Stevenson
Truck
• Hino: Sugawara-Suzuki-Sugawara
• Man : Pichlbauer-Reif-Nicoli
• Kamaz : Tchaguine-Yakoubov-Savostine, Kabirov-
Belyaev-Mardeev
• Tatra : Loprais-Kalina-Hamerla, De Azevedo-
Tomecek-Martinec
• Daf: De Rooy-Colsoul-Slaats

HIGHLIGHTS
Full marks for "Mitsu": Among the cars, as usual, the Japanese industry struck hard from the start, with 92 machines among the cars out of a total of 130: 39 Toyota, 25 Nissan, 24 Mitsubishi, 2 Honda and 2 Suzuki. In the end, it was Mitsubishi which made the best showing, with four vehicles in the first four places overall.
Sea + mountain = desert: after Laurent Bourgnon, Alain Gabbay, Philippe Monnet and Lionel Péan, it was the Swiss Steve Ravussin who decided to reinforce his navigation experience in the Paris-Dakar. For this he teamed up with the ex-world-champion climber Isabelle Patissier, who took on the role of driver after her experience as co-driver the previous year.
KTM out in force: out of 162 motorbikes there at the start, 95 came form the factories of the Austrian firm, ie 58% of the total. At the finish, the KTM "clean sweep" was all the more impressive since you had to look as far down as the sixteenth posiiton to find the first "non-KTM-er": Jun Mitsuhashi, on a Honda.
Volkswagen, the return: the German firm was victorious in the second rally, with Kotulinsky in 1980, and made its return entering five vehicles, with the aim of being able to rival the Japanese in the medium term. Jutta Kleinschmidt, a defector from "Mitsu" and winner in 2001, finished in eighth position, while Stephane Hendrard brought the first non-Japanese machine to Sharm El Sheikh, in sixth position, with a stage victory on the penultimate day into the bargain. Shinozuka's accident: a big fright during the eighth stage, when Kenjiro Shinozuka's Nissan left the ground on a dune and went flying, seriously injuring the two occupants. The condition of his co-driver, Thierry Delli Zotti, rapidly stabilised to "satisfactory", but the condition of Shinozuka, victor in 1997, was considered "very serious" by the doctors until the following day. The two men were flown to Tunis in an air ambulance.
"Peter's" bad luck: the six-times motorbike winner of the "Paris-Dakar" came very close to realising his dream of becoming the second rider after Hubert Auriole to be able to dominate proceedings on a bike and then in a car. The Frenchman, who only slipped from the overall lead once during the whole rally (Matsuoka had gained fifty-five seconds at El Borma), had a nightmarish penultimate stage where he lost more than two hours.
First for Alphand: the Olympic champion downhill skier at Nagano, took his first special section in the "Paris-Dakar" at the wheel of his BMW at the finish of the fourteenth stage in Luxor. He had already come second in stages 11 and 13 behind Peterhansel and then Vatanen, and "Luccho" benefited firstly from a good choice in navigation and also from a puncture suffered by the Finnish former world rally champion. This was the first success for BMW in a car.

THE ROUTE
1 étape : Marseille - Narbonne (265 km dont 1 km de spéciale)
2 étape : Narbonne - Castellon (574 km dont 43 km de spéciale)
3 étape : Castellon - Valence (95 km dont 8 km de spéciale)
4 étape : Tunis - Tozeur (463 km dont 25 km de spéciale)
5 étape : Tozeur - El Borma (494 km dont 285 km de spéciale)
6 étape : El Borma - Ghadames (278 km dont 228 km de spéciale)
7 étape : Ghadames - Ghat (691 km dont 584 km de spéciale)
8 étape : Ghat - Sabha (727 km 497 km de spéciale)
9 étape : Sabha - Zilla (585 km dont 567 km de spéciale)
10 étape : Zilla - Sarir (554 km dont 521 km de spéciale)
11 étape : Sarir - Siwa (586 km dont 438 km de spéciale)
12 étape : Siwa - Siwa (445 km dont 341 de spéciale)
13 étape : Siwa - Dakhla (657 km dont 569 km de spéciale)
14 étape : Dakhla - Louxor (702 km dont 274 de spéciale)
15 étape : Louxor - Abu Rish (576 km dont 477 km de spéciale)
16 étape : Abu Rish - Sharm El Sheikh (828 km dont 365 km de spéciale)

• 1 stage: Marseille - Narbonne (265 km with special section of 1 km)
For its twenty-fifth birthday, the Paris-Dakar registered 490 competitors, the largest number for fifteen years, since the fourth race. The first preliminary section, a kilometre long (or rather short) was taken in fine style with tiny margins, by De Azevedo (lorry), Shinozuka (car) et Despres (motorbike), and merely served to establish the order for the start of the special section in Narbonne.
• 2 stage: Narbonne - Castellon (574 km with special section of 43 km)
A moving double for DAF and the De Rooys, who took the overall lead in the lorries as a family. The father, Jan, led his son Gerardus by thirty-eight seconds. Among the cars, The Mitsubishi-Nissan duel had already begun. Peterhansel and Masuoka had confirmed the speed of the new "Evo" Pajero from the outset, but the South African Giniel De Villiers (Nissan) came in between them, in second place. The "returning phantom" Ari Vatanen, also in a Nissan, took fifth place. On the motorbikes, Richard Sainct carrried off his third special section in the Narbonne region after 2001 and 2002.
• 3 stage: Castellon - Valence (95 km with special section of 8 km)
To the great delight of the DAF stable, the De Rooy saga continued. This time, it was the "lad", Gerardus, who outstripped the "old man" Johannes, and at the same time, clawed four seconds off the overall lead in the lorry class. It was a Mitsubishi again
which dominated in the Spanish special section, Masuoka's, which reduced the five-second gap behind the overall leader, Peterhansel, who had been second at Castellon. On the motorbikes, Cyril Després confirmed his splendid form when he had the best time in the special section on the Playa Del Pinar. He took third place overall, only eighteen seconds behind the leader.
• 4 stage: Tunis - Tozeur (463 km with special section of 25 km)
Masuoka dropped one place overall in the cars class, conceding two seconds and the second position to Ginel de Villiers. In this first stage on the continent of Africa, it was Stéphane Peterhansel, the co-driver of the victor in 2002, who dominated and slightly increased his lead. On the motorbikes, Isidre Esteve Pujol was fastest but Sainct, second at Tozeur, kept the overall lead.
• 5 stage: Tozeur - El Borma (494 km with special section of 285 km)
The first long special section of the Telefonica-Dakar, which brought the first upsets among the leaders of the classes. Among the cars, Masuoka pinched the leadership of the rally from Peterhansel, dominating with a lead of 2'20’’ over his co-driver at the end of the timed section. The two leaders opened up a huge lead over the competition: their leading pursuer, Shinozuka, following on about eleven minutes behind. In the lorries, Tchaguine, who had been second in the stage behind Loprais but nonetheless overall leader, put an end to the reign of the De Rooy dynasty. Only Richard Sainct on his motorbike, who had a faultless ride, managed to maintain his position.
• 6 stage: El Borma - Ghadames (278 km with special section of 228 km)
The rally left Tunisia for Libya. Among the cars, The Masuoka-Peterhansel duel sharpened up and this time the French driver took back the lead in the class, but only forty-nine seconds ahead. Another battle was going on behind for third place, with De Mevius passing Shinozuka to beat him to the finish, but following more than a quarter of an hour behind "Peter". In the lorries, De Rooy father and son (DAF) reacted vigorously to their defeat the previous day, with their third double since leaving Marseille, father holding onto the overall lead in the class with a lead of 6'35'' over his son and 7'08'' over Tchaguine. The motorbike class was the only one where the lead did not change, but Sainct saw his position become more precarious with the victory of Alfie Cox and the recoveries of Roma and Meoni.
• 7 stage: Ghadames - Ghat (691 km with special section of 584 km)
The longest special section of the Telefonica-Dakar gave the lead motorcyclist and car driver the chance to prove they were the strong men of this early test. On two wheels, Sainct had his first success since the start and increased his lead over Meoni to 1'47", and that over Roma to 5'47". Peterhansel was the one who had had an especially good day, opening up the lead over his rival-co-driver Masuoka: a lead of 11'32'' in the stage and 12'21'' overall. In third posiiton, Shinozuka was 51'20'' behind! In the lorries, Jan De Rooy had numerous problems (explosion of three shock absorbers), as did Tchaguine (forced to consult mechanics), and Loprais had to quit (rolled over)...and De Rooy Junior led the dance that evening.
• 8 stage: Ghat - Sabha (727 km 497 km)
The duel between Peterhansel and Masuoka's Mitsubishis (Masuoka had reduced the gap by more than five minutes) was overshadowed by the serious accident which happened to the driver who had been behind them up to then in the class overall. Kenjiro Shinozuka's Nissan left the ground on a dune and went flying, seriously injuring the two occupants. The Japanese and his co-driver, Thierry Delli Zotti, were flown to Tunis in an air ambulance. On the motobikes, Alfie Cox dropped out (dislocated shoulder), Sala had his first success, and Sainct lost the lead for the first time in this Telefonica-Dakar, to Meoni's advantage.
• 9 stage: Sabha - Zilla (585 km with special section of 567 km)
Good news before the start of the stage: the life of Kenjiro Shinozuka was no longer in danger. As far as the competition was concerned, the battle between Peterhansel and Masuoka did not last:: the Japanese suffered five punctures during the day. Among the Nissan crew, Ari Vatanen's first victory in a special section this year consoled them for "Shino's" dropping out and De Villiers' problems. On the motorbikes, Roma's dropping out clarified the situation: Sainct and Meoni were virtually the only ones left to fight out the final victory. Finally, among the lorries, Gerardus De Rooy showed himself a worthy son of his father, taking first place both in the special section and in the class overall.
• 10 stage: Zilla - Sarir (554 km with special section of 521 km)
The Paris-Dakar was in mourning following the disappearance of Bruno Cauvy, aged 48, from l'Hérault. As regards the sport, the weeding out continued in the motorbike class. Meoni (engine malfunction) had lost more than forty minutes on the victor of the day, Lundmark, and then conceded thirty-seven minutes to Sainct overall. Among the cars, Masuoka did not let up and made up nearly three minutes on Peterhansel, who was still fourteen minutes ahead of him. In the lorries, De Rooy Junior deservedly maintained his first place, fighting off Tchaguine. The gap was less than two minutes.
• 11 stage: Sarir - Siwa (586 km with special section of 438 km)
Fighting to the death, Meoni caught up more than nine minutes on Sainct, second in the special section, but did not manage to cross the gulf which had opened up the previous day, and stayed behind Després, second overall. Peterhansel reinforced his lead over Masuoka among the cars. A second place for Luc Alphand in his BMW. Aomng the lorries, Dr Rooy Junior won his fifth special section, and in so doing increased his lead over Tchaguine overall.De Rooy Senior, despite his problems during the Ghadames-Ghat stage, continued to attack as if here were still intent on the final victory, but he was two and a half hours behind his son.
• 12 stage: Siwa - Siwa (445 km with special section of 341)
On the motorbikes, a second stage victory for an "outsider", Giovanni Sala, overall class unchanged. Among the cars, on the other hand, Stéphane Peterhansel struck a great blow by gaining 7'46'' over Hiroshi Masuoka: the gap between the two Mitsubishis on that evening was more than twenty-four minutes. Among the BMWs, Grégoire de Mévius, who had been lying third overall, dropped out. There were then five "Mitsus" in the first five places. Among the lorries, the leader of recent days, Gerardus De Rooy, had to abandon the Telefonica-Dakar after his DAF was damaged on landing after sliding down a dune. Vladimir Tchaguine (Kamaz) was then ideally placed to achieve a third success.
• 13   stage: Siwa - Dakhla (657 km with special section of 569 km)
A demonstration of style by Meoni on the motorbikes and Vatanen among the cars. The day's victor on two wheels attempted to close up the gap between him and Sainct, while the four-times winner among the cars shone with the quality of his actions.and was indirect helped by a curiously calm Peterhansel-Masuoka duo.
• 14 stage: Dakhla - Luxor (702 km with special section of 274)
Following an accident which was not serious, Meoni lost more than twenty minutes sorting out his machine and therefore had no chance of joining Sainct in the overall rankings. Among the cars, A first special section victory for Luc Alphand in his BMW as also the first victory for the German firm. Stéphane Peterhansel further increased his lead over Masuoka, who suffered two punctures and had to accept his second place.
• 15 stage: Luxor - Abu Rish (576 km with special section of 477 km)
No major changes in the various positions in the rally, but Fabrizio Meoni and Ari Vatanen, the day's two victors on the motorbikes and among the cars, certainly put on a good show.
• 16 stage: Abu Rish - Sharm El Sheikh (828 km with special section of 365 km)
In a few hours, Stéphane Peterhansel watched his anticipated first victory in a car slip away from him. A coolant leak at kilometre sixty-six, an overheating engine, then a puncture about two hundred kilometres further on, and finally the collapse of his front offside half-axle on a stone fifty-five kilometres from the finish! Having spent virtually all the rally in the lead overall, "Peter" was now fourth, two hours and twenty minutes behind Masuoka. On the motorbikes, Cyril Després won a new stage victory, but Richard Sainct had no fears for his probable third victory in the Paris-Dakar. Any more than Vladimir Tchaguine did among the lorries, where Firdaus Kabirov had his fourth success in a row.
• 17 stage: Sharm El Sheikh - Sharm El Sheikh (56 km with special section of 34 km)
The final Sharm El Sheikh special section was taken by Ari Vatanen among the cars (fourth stage victory this year) and Lundmark on the motorbikes. The sensation of this twenty-fifth rally still remains the final success of the Japanese Masuoka, who fought off all comers to keep his title at the expense of the unfortunate Peterhansel. The Frenchman finished the rally on the bottom step of the podium, behind Jean-Pierre Fontenay. Richard Sainct and Vladimir Tchaguine, respectively victors on the motorbikes and in the lorries, managed to avois any nasty surprises right to the end.

• Stage victories
1 Marseille-Narbonne 265 Schinozuka/Delli-Zotti Jap Nissan Despres Fra KTM De Azevedo Bre Tatra
2 Narbonne-Castellon 574 Peterhansel/Cottret Fra Mitsubishi Sainct Fra KTM J. De Rooy Hol DAF
3 Castellon-Valence 95 Masuoka/Schulz Jap Mitsubishi Despres Fra KTM G. De Rooy Hol DAF
4 Tunis-Tozeur 463 Peterhansel/Cottret Fra Nissan Roma Esp KTM J. De Rooy Hol DAF
5 Tozeur-El Borma 494 Masuoka/Schulz Jap Mitsubishi Sainct Fra KTM Loprais Rtc Tatra
6 El Borma-Ghadames 278 Peterhansel/Cottret Fra Mitsubishi Cox Afs KTM G. De Rooy Hol DAF
7 Ghadames-Ghat 691 Peterhansel/Cottret Fra Mitsubishi Sainct Fra KTM G. De Rooy Hol DAF
8 Ghat-Sabha 727 Masuoka/Schulz Jap Nissan Sala Ita KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
9 Sabha-Zilla 585 Vatanen/Thorner Fin BMW Sainct Fra KTM G. De Rooy Hol DAF
10 Zilla-Sarir 554 Masuoka/Schulz All Nissan Lundmark Sue KTM De Azevedo Bre Tatra
11 Sarir-Siwa 586 Peterhansel/Cottret Fra VW Meoni Ita KTM G. De Rooy Hol DAF
12 Siwa-Siwa 445 Peterhansel/Cottret Fra Nissan Sala Ita KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
13 Siwa-Dakhla 657 Vatanen/Thorner Fin Nissan Meoni Ita KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz
14 Dakhla-Louxor 702 Alphand/Stevenson Fra Mitsubishi Sainct Fra KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz
15 Louxor-Abu Rish 576 Vatanen/Thorner Fin Mitsubishi Meoni Ita KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz
16 Abu Rish-Sharm El Sheikh 828 Henrard/Willis Bel Mitsubishi Despres Fra KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz
17 Sharm - Sharm El Sheikh 56 Vatanen/Thorner Fin Mitsubishi Lundmark Sue KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS
1 MASUOKA / SCHULZ MITSUBISHI MOTOR SPORTS Jap
2 FONTENAY / PICARD MITSUBISHI MOTOR SPORTS Fra
3 PETERHANSEL / COTTRET MITSUBISHI MOTOR SPORTS Fra
4 SOUSA / MAGNE MITSUBISHI MOTOR SPORTS Por
5 DE VILLIERS / MAIMON NISSAN XX Afs
6 HENRARD / WILLIS VOLKSWAGEN Bel
7 VATANEN / THORNER NISSAN XX Fin
8 KLEINSCHMIDT / PONS VOLKSWAGEN All
9 ALPHAND / STEVENSON X - RAID Fra
10 MONTERDE / TORNABELL RALLIART Esp
11 DE LAVERGNE / DUBOIS NISSAN Fra
12 TINSEAU / VALLET RACECARS Fra
13 KOLBERG / LOURIVAL PETROBRAS - LUBRAX Bre
14 VIGOUROUX / WINOCQ PRO SYSTEM Fra
15 BIASION / SIVIERO MITSUBISHI MOTOR SPORTS Ita
16 STRUGO / LARROQUE GROINE DEVELOPPEMENT Fra
17 GUINOT / KROISS C.L.C Fra
18 RATET / GARCIN TOYOTA TEAM ARACO Fra
19 GIL / SANTIVERI TELEFONICA MOVISTAR Esp
20 BELMONDO / ALCARAZ DESSOUDE Fra
21 MAYER / BORSOTTO RALLIART All
22 ASAGA / ARAKAWA TOYOTA TEAM ARACO Jap
23 METGE / METGE GROINE DEVELOPPEMENT Fra
24 BOURGIN / ANCEMENT DESSOUDE Fra
25 OLIVEIRA / JORDAO RALLIART Por
26 VILAR / LUCAS PROMOTECH Por
27 VILLALBA / GARCIA TELEFONICA MOVISTAR Esp
28 PESCAROLO / DE LIEDEKERKE DE PAILHE DESSOUDE Fra
29 TEN HARKEL / DEN TOOM AI OFF ROAD Hol
30 BERNARD / JONCHERE CHALLENGE TOYOTA Fra
31 HOUSIEAUX / PIO NISSAN TECNO SPORT Fra
32 GIBON / GIBON TEAM OFF-ROAD Fra
33 CHABOT / PILLOT CHALLENGE TOYOTA Fra
34 THOME / FIGARET XXX Fra
35 VAN CAUWENBERGE / DEVOS VAN CAUWENBERGE Bel
36 FARGES / ANCEL CHALLENGE TOYOTA Sen
37 ANQUETIL / FRACHON NISSAN TECNO SPORT Fra
38 GARMENDIA / DIAZ RALLIART Esp
39 GRIGOLETTO / MELLON GRAF MOTORSPORT Ita
40 DEBERSEE / AIVAZIAN PROMO COURSES Fra
41 VAN DEN BROECK / DE ORLEANS-BORBON AD SPORT Bel
42 BECKERS / DEPOORTER VAN CAUWENBERGE Bel
43 GACHE / GAUTHIER GROINE DEVELOPPEMENT Fra
44 VAN ROMPUY / BRUYNKENS CHALLENGE TOYOTA Bel
45 ONOUE / MATSUDA APIO Jap
46 HERRADOR / SANCHEZ -ROJAS EPSILON Esp
47 LOOMANS / SMETS ART OF SPEED Bel
48 KIS / CZEGLEDI NISSAN TECNO SPORT Hon
49 ERRANDONEA / IGOA DESSOUDE Fra
50 GOUTTENOIRE / GAYNON PARFUM D'AFRIQUE Fra
51 VAANHOLT / LEYDS LEYDS All
52 PALIK / DARAZSI RTL MOTORSPORT Hon
53 PRUNIER / MOREY VINS-AUXEY DURESSES Fra
54 JOINEAU / BOYON GAN Fra
55 PETRUS / CIJUNSKAITE NEPTUNAS Lit
56 ARUNAS / VALIUKEVICIUS VB LIZINSAS Lit
57 PIERDOMENICO / DI TOMMASO LES RESIDENCES DU PORT Fra
58 WADE / PELLETIER DESSOUDE Sen
59 BECKERS / MAESSEN XXX Bel
60 GAMMOUDI / BOUGHAMI XXX Tun
61 PETRAITIS / JUKNEVICIUS VILBANA Lit

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 SAINCT GAULOISES - KTM Fra
2 DESPRES GAULOISES - KTM Fra
3 MEONI GAULOISES - KTM Ita
4 BRUCY GAULOISES - KTM Fra
5 DE AZEVEDO PETROBRAS - LUBRAX Bre
6 LUNDMARK FARMERLIPS Sue
7 ULLEVALSETER FARMERLIPS Nor
8 DE GAVARDO KTM FACTORY TEAM Chi
9 DABROWSKI ORLEN TEAM Pol
10 FLICK BIJOUTERIES CARADOR Fra
11 COMA TELEFONICA REPSOL Esp
12 PELLICER POWER HORSE Esp
13 CZACHOR ORLEN TEAM Pol
14 SALA GAULOISES - KTM Ita
15 SIREYJOL FUN BIKE Fra
16 MITSUHASHI HONDA Jap
17 STANOVNIK ZUPIN MOTOSPORT Slo
18 VERHOEF RALLY TEAM Hol
19 LOZANO ALBERICH AFRICANS RALLYE PROJECT Esp
20 AUBIJOUX KTM Fra
21 PIROUD FUN BIKE Fra
22 PEREZ WWW.BERNADAGOLF.COM Esp
23 MERKIT KM RACING Tur
24 ALGAY PELLENC GILLES ALGAY Fra
25 CROQUELOIS DRAKAR NORMAND Fra
26 CHEVALLIER DRAKAR NORMAND Fra
27 MUGNAIOLI XXX Ita
28 VIGNERON KTM WEST AFRICA Fra
29 GERLI ABC OLD FARM RACING Esp
30 BLANCKAERT CH'TI - TEAM
31 PEREZ CORREOS
32 MEILLAT C.M PROMO Fra
33 EDMONDSON EDMONDSON RACING Gbr
34 ORFANOS XXX Gre
35 RAYNAL RSP RACING Fra
36 BASTOUILH XXX Fra
37 LAUWERS XXX Bel
38 VERCOELEN XXX Hol
39 CASTEU OFF ROAD Fra
40 BONNET XXX Fra
41 DOMENECH VIVES VALENCIA TERRA I MAR Esp
42 EXTANCE RALLY RAID UK Gbr
43 BRAZINA XXX Rtc
44 LINARES XXX Esp
45 CASANOVA XXX Esp
46 MACHACEK XXX Rtc
47 DIALLO AFRIC'AIN Sen
48 SOLER AFRICANS RALLYE PROJECT Esp
49 TARRICONE MAX MOTORS RALLY Ita
50 FLOUHR XXX Bel
51 MONTAZ SELEXIA Fra
52 LEBLANC LES "BLAIREAUX" Fra
53 LEPAN FLAMENT MOTO Fra
54 CABINI ICAS CABINI RACING Ita
55 CARILLON XXX Fra
56 PAGNON PLANETE AVENTURE Fra
57 ESTEVE ORO RODI-MOTO 2 Esp
58 LELOUP MOTO EXPERT Fra
59 LAUNAY FD MOTO SHOP Fra
60 BRUNET DRAKAR NORMAND Fra
61 GRAJWODA XXX Fra
62 DE SOUZA DRAKAR NORMAND Fra
63 MARCANT FLANDRES MOTO Fra
64 BECQUART LES "BLAIREAUX" Fra
65 PLUMB DOME BMW Fra
66 DUBUY DRAKAR NORMAND Fra
67 GIANNAKOULIS XXX Gre
68 DEHILLOTTE BAINES MOTO Fra
69 PALANTE HRZ Bel
70 DULLUM DANOISES BLONDES Dan
71 HEDRICH XXX Fra
72 VION FUN COURSE AFRICANS RALLYE PROJECT Fra
73 ARAGONES MOVILISTO Esp
74 ALVAREZ DRAKAR NORMAND Esp
75 MOREL L'APPEL DU SUD Fra
76 SEVAULT AG MOTORS Fra
77 ALIMI GAIG - TOUS Fra
78 NOE TUBAU D'SPLY Esp
79 DECRAND XXX Fra
80 PRICE D'SPLY Can
81 RAPHAT FUN BIKE Fra
82 CABERLON AFRIC'AIN Fra
83 BERNARD DRAKAR NORMAND Fra
84 BOURDON LYONS DU DESERT Fra
85 ETARD LYONS DU DESERT Fra
86 ETARD XXX Fra
87 LOIZEAUX XXX Fra
88 CARLES XXX Fra
89 PINTEAU GENDARMERIE AFRICA Fra
90 LEAL DOS SANTOS YAMAHA BERNER DESERT Por
91 BARBEZANT SIEMENS KTM Fra
92 PICHEGRAIN KTM WEST AFRICA Fra
93 ROZAND KTM WEST AFRICA Fra
94 HAMONIC NARBONNE AVENTURE TT Fra
95 BISCAREL MECA RACING Fra
96 BERTRAND D CASINO GRAND SINAI Fra
97 CHALAND BETH CEU DE PAU Fra
98 LEGAULT BETH CEU DE PAU Fra

OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS
1 TCHAGUINE / YAKOUBOV / SAVOSTINE KAMAZ-MASTER Rus
2 DE AZEVEDO / TOMECEK / MARTINEC PETROBRAS - LUBRAX Bre
3 KABIROV / BELYAEV / MARDEEV KAMAZ-MASTER Rus
4 DE ROOY / GEUSENS / DUISTERS DE ROOY Hol
5 SUGAWARA / SUZUKI / SUGAWARA SUGAWARA Jap
6 JACQUOT / MAILLOT / SIMONIN LUR "O" DAKAR Fra
7 BOSONNET / LACOURT / BONNAIRE MITSUBISHI MOTOR SPORTS Fra
8 PATTONO / SANTORO MAC MOTER Ita
9 PANSERI / PACCANI / CAMBIAGHI OVERLOOK PROMOTION Ita
10 ECHTER / LEHRER / RUF VOLKSWAGEN All
11 BEKX / FLIPSEN / BLOM HANS BEKX TEAM SPORT Hol
12 MACIK / ZAK / FAJTL MACIK OFFROAD Rtc
13 SADLAUER / SANZ CASTRO / MICOZZI KTM AUSTRIA Aut
14 JUVANTENY / TORRUELLA / CRIADO BARRAGAN EPSILON Esp
15 SERVIA / TIEFENBACH / KOOPMANN X - RAID Esp
16 BAUERLE / KAZBERUK ORLEN TEAM All
17 MEROLA / FUMAGALLI / PILATTI MOTORSPORT ITALIA Ita
18 GROBLER / HARRYMAN / RABOGALE NISSAN XX Afs
19 LAMBERT / AMBROISE / CHANTEUX TOYOTA TEAM ARACO Fra
20 PETIT / BARBIER /JONES NISSAN Bel
21 BEZEMER / CNUDDE / PFAFF XXX Bel
22 PELANCONI / MUSAZZI NISSAN TECNO SPORT Ita
23 BESNARD / CHARRUE / ORTIGOSA RACECARS Fra
24 GOVAERE / ESPEEL / GHERARDYN VAN CAUWENBERGE Bel
25 SAUMET / D'EPREMESNIL ATMS Fra
26 JAMES / LOUIN / DEBEUGNY DESSOUDE Fra
27 HOEBEKE / BEGUIN BELGIUM CORPORATION Bel

2004
REGION D'AUVERGNE - DAKAR

26th REGION D'AUVERGNE - DAKAR
• Start: 1 january 2004 from Région d'Auvergne
• Finish : 18 january 2004 in Dakar
• Rest: 12 january at Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina-Faso)
• Length of rally : 9.506,5 km
• Number of kilometers of specials : 4635,5 km
• Countries crossed : France, Spain, Morocco,
Mauritania, Mali, Burkina-Faso, Senegal

NOMBRE D'ENGAGES : 595 - At the start:
142 cars
195 motorcycles 63 trucks
99 assistance cars 96 assistance trucks
- At the finish : 163 vehicles 60 cars
65 motorcycles 38 trucks
OVERALL CAR STANDINGS:
Peterhansel/Cottret (Fra) MITSUBISHI
OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS:
Nani Roma (ESP) KTM
OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS:
Tchaguine/Yakoubov/Savostine (Rus) KAMAZ

MAIN COMPETITORS
Motorcycle
• KTM : Sainct, Roma, Despres, Meoni, Cox, Brucy, De
Gavardo, Esteve Pujol, Ullevaseter, Lundmark, De Azevedo, Flick
Car
• Schlesser-Ford : Schlesser-Lurquin, J.M.Servia-
Borsotto
• Mitsubishi : Masuoka-Picard, Mayer-Schulz,
Peterhansel-Cottret, Biasion-Siviero
• Nissan : Mc Ray-Thorner, Vatanen-Repo, De Villiers-
Jordaan, Loubet-Maimon, Shinozuka-Debron, De
Lavergne-Anquetil
• Volkswagen : Henrard-Willis, Kleinschmidt-Pons
• BMW : De Mevius-Guehennec, Alphand-Magne   
Truck
• Hino: Sugawara-Suzuki-Sugawara
Kamaz : Tchaguine-Yakoubov-Savostine, Kabirov-
Belyaev-Kamalov, Mardeev-Girya-Kupryanov
Tatra : Loprais-Kalina-Gilar, De Azevedo-Tomecek-
Martinec
Daf: De Rooy.G-Colsoul-Slaats, De Rooy.J-
Colebunders-Duisters

HIGHLIGHTS
• "Peter" at last. Already seven times winner of the Dakar on a motorcycle and the record holder for wins in this
category, Stéphane Peterhansel finally managed to fulfil his dream of becoming the second man to win in both
categories after Hubert Auriol. After falling just short in 2003, "Peter" completed the double at the sixth attempt.
• The onward march of the Mitsubishis. With a fourth straight win, the 8th in all for the Japanese constructor
which dominated the rostrum, Mitsubishi has become the second make to notch up a four-year winning stretch
in the history of the Dakar Rally, after Peugeot from 1987 to 1990.
• First for McRae. World Rally Champion in 1995, Colin McRae chose to drive a Nissan for his first ever Dakar.
Nineteenth in the overall placings at the finish, the Scotsman put in a strong showing for a "rookie" year, with
two wins in a special including one at Lac Rose. To date, only two former world rally champions have won the
Dakar: Ari Vatanen (1987-89-90-91) and Juha Kankunnen (1988).
• Frétigné learns fast. World Enduro Champion in 1999, David Frétigné also had his first Dakar outing during
this 26th event. The French racer's surprising choice of transport was a 2-wheel drive Yamaha 450 cm3 bike
which proved superbly suited to the desert terrain. Frétigné ended the event with three wins in specials
including one in Africa at Ayoun-el-Atrous. He was also winner in the under 450 cm3 category and the first
"non-KTM" racer in the overall placings (7th).
• At the arrival of the Tidjikja-Nema stage, competitors were surprised (mixed with relief for those feeling the
pace!) to learn that the next two stages, Nema-Mopti and Mopti-Bobo-Dioulasso had been cancelled due to
security concerns. The car and truck competitors went on to Bobo-Dioulasso while the motorcyclists were air
lifted. This is the first time since 2000 that the rally has been forced to cancel a stage.
• The return of Saby. Bruno Saby, winner of the Dakar Rally in 1993, who hung up his driver's gloves in 2003 to
become a consultant for France Télévision, was back behind the wheel of a Volkswagen for the Dakar 2004.
The German manufacturer, which also entered another vehicle driven by Jutta Kleinschmidt, is planning to
return to the highest level and give Japanese auto makers a run for their money sometime soon. In Dakar,
Saby finished 6th overall and 2nd in the diesel category behind Luch Alphand in a BMW.

THE ROUTE
1 étape : Région d'Auvergne - Narbonne (396 km dont 1 km de spéciale)
2 étape : Narbonne - Castellon (563 km dont 25 km de spéciale)
3 étape : Castellon - Tanger (865 km dont 9 km de spéciale)
4 étape : Tanger - Er Rachidia (752 km dont 75 km de spéciale)
5 étape : Er Rachidia - Ouarzazate (575 km dont 337 km de spéciale)
6 étape : Ouarzazate - Tan-Tan (803 km dont 351 km de spéciale)
7 étape : Tan-Tan - Atar (1055 km dont 701 km de spéciale)
8 étape : Atar - Tidjikja (393 km dont 355 km de spéciale)
9 étape : Tidjikja - Nema (739 km dont 736 km de spéciale)
10 etape : Nema - Mopti (Etape neutralisée)
11 etape : Mopti - Bobo-Dioulasso (Etape neutralisée)
12 étape : Bobo-Dioulasso - Bamako (666 km dont 213 km de spéciale)
13 étape : Bamako - Ayoun El Altrous (734 km dont 478 km de spéciale)
14 etape : Ayoun El Altrous - Tidjikja (551 km dont 547 km de spéciale)
15 etape : Tidjikja - Nouakchott (651 km dont 579 km de spéciale)
16 etape : Nouakchott - Dakar (647 km dont 191 km de spéciale)
17 étape : Dakar - Dakar (106 km dont 27 km de spéciale)

THE RACE
• 1st stage: Clermont-Ferrand - Narbonne (396 km including a 1-km special)
195 motorbikes, 142 cars and 63 trucks, as well as 195 support vehicles, were authorised at the start of the Dakar Rally once checks were completed. The prologue, organised over a 1-km course enabling the competitors to test each other out on parallel tracks, took place in snowy conditions but with 35,000 spectators cheering them on! Matteo Graziani (Ita - KTM) won the motorbike category alongside the Grande Halle d'Auvergne, while Kenji Shinozuka (Jap - Nissan) won the car race and the reigning champion, Vladimir Tchaguine (Rus - Kamaz) came home first in the trucks event.
• 2nd stage: Narbonne - Castellon (563 km including a 25-km special)
First participation in the Dakar, first "genuine" special and first win for David Frétigné (Fra - Yamaha) with his 2-wheel drive 450 cm3 on an extremely muddy course. Conditions became hazardous and the race was stopped after half of the cars had been clocked, Jose-Maria Servia (Spa - Schlesser) putting in the best time.
• 3rd stage: Castellon - Tanger (865 km including a 9-km special)
Another successful outing for the Yamaha 2-wheel drive bike ridden by David Frétigné, winner on Castellon beach and also leader as the Dakar crossed to the African continent. In the cars, Stéphane Peterhansel (Fra - Mitsubishi) took command thanks to his 3rd spot, but Giniel de Villiers (SA - Nissan) put the previous day's rollover behind him with the fastest time over the 9-km course. In the truck category, Gerardus de Rooy (Hol - Daf) achieved the double whammy of winning the stage and moving to the top of the overall placings.
• 4th stage: Tanger - Er Rachidia (752 km including a 75-km special)
Although Fabrizio Meoni (Ita - KTM), winner of the special, took full advantage of the reliability offered by his twin-cylinder 660 cm3, some of the motorbike favourites lost ground during this first African stage: 2'37’’ for Despres (Fra - KTM), 5'09’’ for "Nani" Roma (Spa - KTM), 9'33’’ for Frétigné and, above all, 6'51" for Sainct (Fra - KTM), whose left arm had to be stitched up after a fall. Isidre Esteve Pujol (Spa - KTM) escaped the carnage to take the lead in the overall placings. In the car category, Vatanen (Fin - Nissan) celebrated his 50th win in a special, while Peterhansel held onto his overall lead. Gerardus De Rooy, 2nd in Er Rachidia, remained leader in the truck category, but his father Jan slipped down the field after getting a flat (37th at 43'46'').
• 5th stage: Er Rachidia - Ouarzazate (575 km including a 337-km special)
The overall leader of the motorbike category won the stage, retaining a slim lead on his nearest rival Fabrizio Meoni while Richard Sainct, struggling with a painful left arm, lost more ground (9th at 10'56’’ in the overall placings). Stéphane Peterhansel, on the other hand, widened the gap thanks to a searing burst on a 100-km stretch: this gave him a 6'12’’ lead over his team¬mate Masuoka (Jap - Mitsubishi). In the truck category, Tchaguine did the double by winning the stage and taking overall leader spot with a 2'46'' lead over De Rooy Junior.
• 6th stage: Ouarzazate - Tan-Tan (803 km including a 351-km special)
Spain took the honours with a stage win by "Nani Roma" who moved in behind his team-mate Este Pujol in the overall placings. Giovani Sala (Ita - KTM) had to pull out of the rally after breaking a couple of ribs in a fall. In the car category, Mitsubishi continued to lead in the overall placings, but "Peter" was much slower than the previous day and lost his place to Masuoka, winner of the special. He still kept in touch, however, whereas the former winners Ari Vatanen and Jutta Kleinschmidt (Ger -VW) lost 2h30 and 5h20 respectively. No change for the trucks.
• 7th stage: Tan-Tan - Atar (1055 km including a 701-km special)
The longest stage in the rally ended Esteve Pujol's dream of victory as he fell to 87th place after a bad fall. Fabrizio Meoni didn't fall quite so far in the placings but serious mechanical problems saw him lose 1 h45. Richard Sainct, whose arm was now easing up, recorded the fastest time over the course but Cyril Despres took the lead in the overall placings. In the car category, Masuoka and "Petger" came home in that order confirming Mitsubishi's domination at the top of the leaderboard: Colin McRae (Sco - Nissan), 3rd overall, came in 41'29’’ behind the Japanese leader. Tchaguine continually picked up speed in his Kamaz truck, consolidating his lead on Gerardus De Rooy.
• 8th stage: Atar - Tidjikja (393 km including a 355-km special)
Perfectly positioned, Nani Roma was one of the few favourites to avoid endless wheel spins in the first part of the special. He seized the overall leader spot by coming in alongside Sainct and Brucy (Fra - KTM), while the previous leader Cyril Despres finished 1h14 behind after falling, losing his way and running out of petrol. In the car category, Stéphane Peterhansel took advantage of his team-mate Masuoka's gearbox problems to regain the overall lead. Kleinschmidt, with his 2nd place, 28'55'' behind ''Peter'', laid himself open to possible expulsion after changing the cylinder block. In the truck category, Jan De Rooy pulled out with a broken engine and the seven-time winner Karel Loprais (Czech Rep. - Tatra) won his first special since 2002.
• 9th stage: Tidjikja - Nema (739 km including a 736-km special)
A stage to send the best navigators into total despair. Apart from the success of Despres in the motorbike category and Masuoka in the car category, who both ate into the respective leads of Roma and Peterhansel, the abiding memory will be of a mere 210 competitors making it to Nema. The time gaps recorded at the finish line were astonishing and there was one last surprise for competitors putting up their tents late into the night. Good news for the most exhausted but a missed opportunity for those trying to win back time since the next two scheduled stages were cancelled and the competitors move on to Bobo-Dioulasso . Threats to the rally's security led the organisers to take this decision after discussions with the Malian and French authorities.
• 10th stage: Nema-Mopti (910 km including a 345-km special) CANCELLED
• 11th stage: Mopti - Bobo-Dioulasso (747 km including a 448-km special) CANCELLED
• 12th stage: Bobo-Dioulasso - Bamako (666 km including a 213-km special)
No change at the top of the placings at the finish in the Malian capital, but two major sensations created by the day's winners, Cyril Despres and Luc Alphand. During a very fast special, the French rider left the nearest competitor, Marc Coma, 5'47" behind, taking 6'25" off Nani Roma and closing in on the podium. In the car category, the native of Savoy won his first special victory of 2004. In the truck category, Kabirov (Rus - Kamaz) won for the 3rd time this year, but his team-mate Tchaguine showed no signs of relinquishing the overall lead, 54'24'' ahead of De Azevedo (Bra - Tatra).
• 13th stage: Bamako - Ayoun el Atrous (734 km including a 478-km special)
No change to the leaderboard, but the motorbikes had an eventful stage. Despres was once again in unbeatable form over the first stretch but made a navigational error which allowed David Frétigné to win his first African special and, most importantly, snatch a top-three slot with a one-minute lead on Cox (SA - KTM). In the car category, the Nissan stable had a good day, not only celebrating Colin McRae's first win but also the other two podium places occupied by Ari Vatanen and Giniel De Villiers. In the truck category, Loprais and De Azevedo notched up a Tatra double in the overall placings, with the latter ending up no more than 44'28'' behind Tchaguine in the overall placings.
• 14th stage: Ayoun el Atrous - Tidjikja (551 km including a 547-km special)
3rd stage win for Cyril Despres, who continued to hold off Alfie Cox, 2nd on this special and running 1 '18’’ behind in the overall placings. By taking a wrong turning, Roma almost lost some serious time but held on to the leader's position. Slight improvement for "Peter" in his duel with Masuoka in the overall placings, whereas Luc Alphand left all other competitors at least 14' behind. In his Nissan, McRae took an honourable 2nd place, but Vatanen had to abandon after smashing into a tree and damaging his radiator. 4* stage victory for Kabirov in the truck category.
• 15th stage: Tidjikja - Nouakchott (651 km including a 579-km special)
Struggling with a painful knee, Fabrizio Meoni, won the special without impacting on the leaderboard. Sainct was in furious pursuit of Roma, but could only chip 2'37’’ out of the Spaniard's overall lead. The race for third place was even closer at this point with Despres hanging on to a 45’’ lead over Alfie Cox. In the car category, Masuoka was fastest but still ended 55'53’’ behind Stéphane Peterhansel overall. In the truck category, the two Kamaz driven by Tchaguine and Kabirov moved into the top two positions with their most serious rival left by the wayside with Andre De Azevedo's (Tatra No. 412), front end giving up on him at km 212.
• 16th stage: Nouakchott - Dakar (647 km including a 191-km special)
This stage presented the last chance for anyone hoping to move up the placings but all attempts failed. In the motorbike category, Richard Sainct only managed to take 2' off Nani Roma, while the third spot now looked certain to go to Cyril Despres, barring accidents. In the car category, Masuoka stayed fifty minutes up on "Peter" after the special, with Jutta Kleinschmidt clocking the fastest time. In the BMW camp, Luc Alphand, 2nd, was only 59' away from a 3rd stage win while Grégoire de Mévius (Bel - BMW) lost two hours after a turnover. Another Kamaz one-two at Dakar with Kabirov's win ahead of Tchaguine, i.e. the reverse order of the overall placings.
• 17th stage: Dakar-Dakar (106 km including a 27-km special)
All in all, 163 competitors finished the 26th Telefonica-Dakar, with the last special won by Despres (motorbike), Mc Rae (car) and Stacey (truck) leaving the overall placings unchanged. As expected, Nani Roma won his first Dakar in nine attempts, while Stéphane Peterhansel, seven-time winner of the motorbike category, won on four wheels for the first time. In the truck category, third win in a row for Vladimir Tchaguine, his fourth in total. Six different stage winners in the motorbike category, eight in cars and five in trucks. Each of the three overall winners had to fight tooth and nail for the honours.

SUBSIDIARY
1 Région d'Auvergne - Narbonne 396 Shinozuka/Debron Jpn/Fra Nissan Graziani Ita KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
2 Narbonne - Castellon 563 Servia/Borsotto Esp/Fra Schlesser-Ford Fretigne Fra Yamaha Jacinto Por Renault
3 Castellon - Tanger 865 De Villiers/Jordaan Rsa Nissan    Fretigne Fra Yamaha G.De Rooy Hol DAF
4 Tanger - Er Rachidia 752 Vatanen/Repo Fin Nissan Meoni Ita KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz
5 Er Rachidia - Ouarzazate 575 Peterhansel/Cottret Fra Mitsubishi Esteve Pujol Esp KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
6 Ouarzazate - Tan-Tan 803 Masuoka/Picard Jpn/Fra Mitsubishi Roma Esp KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
7 Tan-Tan - Atar 1055 Masuoka/Picard Jpn/Fra Mitsubishi    Sainct Fra KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
8 Atar - Tidjikja 393 Peterhansel/Cottret Fra Mitsubishi Roma Esp KTM Loprais Cze Tatra
9 Tidjikja - Nema 739 Masuoka/Picard Jpn/Fra Mitsubishi    Despres Fra KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz
10 Nema - Mopti Annulée
11 Mopti - Bobo-Dioulasso Annulée
12 Bobo-Dioulasso - Bamako 666 Alphand/Magne Fra/And BMW Despres Fra KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz
13 Bamako - Ayoun El Altrous 734 Mc Rae/Thorner Uk/Sue Nissan Fretigne Fra Yamaha Loprais Cze Tatra
14 Ayoun El Altrous - Tidjikja 551 Alphand/Magne Fra/And BMW Despres Fra KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz
15 Tidjikja - Nouakchott 651 Masuoka/Picard Jpn/Fra Mitsubishi    Meoni Ita KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz
16 Nouakchott - Dakar 647 Kleinschmidt/Pons Ger/Ita Volkswagen Sainct Fra KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz
17 Dakar - Dakar 106 Mc Rae/Thorner Uk/Swe Nissan Despres Fra KTM Stacey Hol DAF

OVERALL CAR STANDINGS
1 PETERHANSEL / COTTRET MITSUBISHI MOTORS Fra
2 MASUOKA / PICARD MITSUBISHI MOTORS Jap
3 SCHLESSER / LURQUIN SCHLESSER - FORD Fra
4 ALPHAND / MAGNE X - RAID Fra
5 MAYER / SCHULZ MITSUBISHI MOTORS All
6 SABY / STEVENSON VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT Fra
7 DE VILLIERS / JORDAAN NISSAN Afs
8 DE MEVIUS / GUEHENNEC X - RAID Bel
9 MAGNALDI / LEGAL FAST & SPEED RALLY RAID Fra
10 AL ATTIYAN / BARTHOLOME RALLIART Qat
11 KOLBERG / LOURIVAL PETROBRAS - LUBRAX Bre
12 DE LAVERGNE / ANQUETIL LES COULEURS DU SENEGAL Fra
13 HOUSIEAUX / FAGOT RALLIART Fra
14 KOMORNICKI / MARTON ORLEN TEAM Pol
15 PORNSAWAN / BOCANDE RALLIART Pol
16 LOOM ANS / LAUWERS XXX Bel
17 KLEINSCHMIDT / PONS VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT All
18 SMULEVICI / GAMBILLON PROMOTECH RALLY RAID Fra
19 SERVIA / BORSOTTO SCHLESSER - FORD Esp
20 MC RAE / THORNER NISSAN Gbr
21 CHARBONNIER / ANTONIOLLI XXX    Fra
22 IKEMACHI / DELLI - ZOTTI NISSAN Jap
23 DALMAU / OLLER TARREGA 4 X 4 LLEIDA Esp
24 PATISSIER / IRISSOU NISSAN DESSOUDE Fra
25 VILAR / MARQUES PROMOTECH RALLY RAID Fra
26 VIGOUROUX / WINOCQ PRO SYSTEM Fra
27 MENGUY / GAUTHIER GROINE DEVELOPPEMENT Fra
28 ROUND / ROUND RALLY RAID UK Gbr
29 DAMBIS / PRINCIS RALLYE RAID RIGA Let
30 TERRIER / LACAMBRE XXX Fra
31 GIBON / GIBON GIBON Fra
32 RAYNAL / THOME PARAY AVENTURE Fra
33 FOJ / PUJOLAR CEMEX Esp
34 AZIS / PURVINSKIS RALLYE RAID RIGA Let
35 SALINERO / RUIZ GUARDIA CIVIL Esp
36 DROUET / FORTHOMME DUNES 4 X 4 Fra
37 SURRET / LACASSAGNE CAP SUD ORGANISATION Fra
38 BARBIER / BARBIER TRUCKS RALLYE AFRICA Fra
39 NEBOT / PAULHAN LES PHARAONS DE THAU Fra
40 DUCROUX / CHARTREZ EVASION TOUT TERRAIN Fra
41 NAGLIS / CAUNE RE AUTOKLUBS 5X5 - LATVIA Let
42 ABLA / CHEDLY TUNISIAN TEAM Tun
43 NISAN COHEN / SPEKTOR N.C.M DEVELOPPEMENT Isr
44 LUKSTINS / KRAUKLIS RALLYE RAID RIGA Let
45 ONOUE / MATSUDA APIO Jap
46 BAS / BON JEAN RALLYE RAID SERVICE Fra
47 LUO / HENNINOT RALLIART Fra
48 PICCINI / AIVAZIAN SAVOIE AVENTURE FUN BIKE Fra
49 SIREYJOL / CABERLON ALMERIA DAKAR BELEM
50 HERRADOR / CANSECO AVENTURE OPEL RACING
51 ANFRYE / NICOLAS TEAM JURA-FRANCH
52 SZALAY / BUNKOCZI E-COMTE FEMMES
53 CUYNET / RAMEL DU MONDE RALLYE RAID
54 JOBIN / BOURGNON CONCEPT CAN ARIAS
55 KAMOUN / OLIVAN LANZAROTE ZHENGZHOU
56 GALAN PEREZ / SUANZES NISSAN TOYOTA
57 LU / SCHURGER CHALLENGE KRAJNC
58 DARROUX / LAPLACE TOYOTA CHALLENGE
59 KRAJNC / PRISLAN
60 FROMONT / LAMBERT

OVERALL MOTORCYCLE STANDINGS
1 ROMA REPSOL KTM Esp
2 SAINCT GAULOISES KTM FRANCE Fra
3 DESPRES GAULOISES KTM FRANCE Fra
4 COX GAULOISES KTM INTER Afs
5 ULLEVALSETER SCANDINAVIA Nor
6 MEONI GAULOISES KTM INTER Ita
7 FRETIGNE YAMAHA MOTOR FRANCE Fra
8 DE GAVARDO KTM DE GAVARDO Chi
9 FLICK ALLIER DYNAMIQUE Fra
10 CZACHOR ORLEN TEAM Pol
11 GRAZIANI ASS SPORTIVA Ita
12 ROESELER RED BULL USA KTM Usa
13 MARCHINI AJACCIO DESERT AVENTURE Fra
14 DE AZEVEDO PETROBRAS - LUBRAX Bre
15 STANOVNIK SLOVENIAN ARMY Slo
16 LUNDMARK SCANDINAVIA Sue
17 CHARBONNEL CHARBONNEL - MOTOS Fra
18 KRAUSE RED BULL USA KTM Usa
19 ALGAY EUROMASTER Fra
20 PEREZ CORREOS Esp
21 CROQUELOIS EUROMASTER Fra
22 CHEVALLIER LES PASSE PARTOUT Fra
23 ESTEVE PUJOL REPSOL KTM Esp
24 RAYNAL RSP RACING Fra
25 COAKER DEUTSCHE BANK PRIVATEER Uk
26 MUGNAIOLI XXX Fra
27 PIROUD EUROMASTER Fra
28 AUBIJOUX XXX Fra
29 SACCHETTINI LES PASSE PARTOUT Fra
30 AUBREE XXX Fra
31 SANNA COCCO XXX Ita
32 CASTEU OFF ROAD AVENTURE Fra
33 BLANCKAERT CH'TI - TEAM Fra
34 MONTEAUD XXX Fra
35 VAN PELT XXX Hol
36 LEPAN AVENTURE MOTO SPORT Fra
37 LINARES CORREOS Esp
38 KEDZIERSKI ORLEN TEAM Pol
39 BROUWER DUTCH ORANGE TEAM Hol
40 TONETTI PRORACE Ita
41 DUBOIS PERCHE MOTO AVENTURES Fra
42 TARRICONE MAX MOTORS RALLY Ita
43 EXTANCE RALLY RAID UK Fra
44 CASANOVA MARINA D'OR Ita
45 DIALLO XXX Sen
46 PAGNON PLANETE AVENTURE Fra
47 MAILLARD EXTRAVENTURES Fra
48 FRANCOIS MOTO VERTE HAUTES VOSGES Fra
49 HAGUE KTM ICELAND Gbr
50 HOTTA XXX Jap
51 ARAGONES CEMENTOS ESFERA-GAVI CAR Esp
52 ESTEVE ORO RODI-MOTO 2 Esp
53 RAMON WWW.RAMON.BE Bel
54 DE VILLIERS BOMBARDIER Afs
55 VERBURGH XXX Bel
56 DELAYE ESPACE MOTO Fra
57 PAPA XXX Ita
58 ALBOS XXX And
59 MARCUSSON RALLY RAID UK Sue
60 MINAUX XXX Fra
61 RAMEL JURA-FRANCHE-COMTE Fra
62 CATTEAU XXX    Fra
63 PAUL MOTO PAUL RACING Fra
64 COUVAL GOLF RANDO Fra
65 SARTORIUS XXX Fra

OVERALL TRUCK STANDINGS
1 TCHAGUINE / YAKOUBOV / SAVOSTINE KAMAZ-MASTER Rus
2 KABIROV / BELYAEV / KAMALOV KAMAZ-MASTER Rus
3 DE ROOY / COLSOUL / SLAATS DE ROOY Hol
4 MARDEEV / GIRYA / KUPRIYANOV KAMAZ-MASTER Rus
5 SUGAWARA / SUZUKI / SUGAWARA SUGAWARA Jap
6 DE AZEVEDO / TOMECEK / MARTINEC PETROBRAS - LUBRAX Bre
7 LOPRAIS / KALINA / GILAR LOPRAIS TATRA Rtc
8 BEKX / FLIPSEN / BLOM HANS BEKX TEAM SPORT Hol
9 STACEY / VAN GENUGTEN / CHEVAILLIER TRIDEC Hol
10 REIF / PICHLBAUER / LEIDL GAULOISES KTM FRANCE Aut
11 PACCANI / BREVI / MOR OVERLOOK PROMOTION SRL Ita
12 VERSINO / VERSINO / LOPEZ SCHLESSER - FORD Fra
13 VILA / TORRALLARDONA / MANRESA PROMOTOR - LES COMES Esp
14 GOVAERE / ESPEEL / GHERARDYN GOVAERE    Bel
15 BEZEMER / CNUDDE / PFAFF XXX Bel
16 PELANCONI / VON GUGGENBERG TECNOSPORT-ITALIA-HONGRIE Ita
17 JUVANTENY / CRIADO / SANTIVERI EPSILON Esp
18 BARILLA / MARZOTTO MOTORTECNICA Ita
19 LACOURT / MAUNEAU / MICQUIAUX MITSUBISHI MOTORS Fra
20 RAMBEAU / ADUA / MAYMO EPSILON Fra
21 GIMBRE / MARCHEIX / BERGER MITSUBISHI MOTORS Fra
22 PETIT / BARBIER / PRATTLEY NISSAN Fra
23 MARTIN / TURLAIS / ORTIGOSA SCHLESSER - FORD Fra
24 OLIVERAS ELIAS / LORENZO / GONZALES CARPI EPSILON Esp
25 SADLAUER / MAYER / KORBER R REPSOL KTM Aut
26 JACINTO / RODRIGUEZ / OTERO RENAULT TRUCK/TRIFENE 200 Por
27 PRUNIER / BELLEFLEUR / DESBOEUF LUR "O" DAKAR Fra
28 MALFERIOL / BARAN ORLEN TEAM Fra
29 JACQUOT / BRUCY / BAIER LUR "O" DAKAR Fra
30 JACQUOT / MAILLOT / SIMONIN LUR "O" DAKAR Fra
31 MONTERO / FERNANDEZ / GUARISCO GUARDIA CIVIL Esp
32 BAUERLE / TIEFENBACH / KRAMER R X- RAID All
33 BANYARD / BANYARD / KING CYCLONE POWER Gbr
34 LEIHENER / BACHHUBER / KIRST VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT All
35 LAMBERT / CELLIER / CHAPON C.L.C Fra
36 VAN GINKEL / HERWEIJER / VAN GINKEL L GINAF RALLY POWER Hol
37 DARAZSI / HAJNAL / TAGAI OPEL RACING TEAM Hon
38 VANIERSCHOT / DUJARDIN / GONNISSEN AD SPORT Bel

2005
BARCELONA - DAKAR

27th BARCELONA - DAKAR
• Start: 31 st of December 2005 in Barcelona (Spain)
• Finish: 16th of January 2005 in Dakar
• Rest: 9th of January in Atar (Mauritania)
• Distance of the rally: 9.039 km
• Kilometres of special: 5.433 km
•Countries crossed: Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali,
Senegal

NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 688
- At the start: 165 cars
230 bikes 69 trucks
104 assitance cars 120 assistance trucks
- At the finish: 215 vehicles
75 cars 104 bikes 36 trucks

CAR OVERALL STANDING:
Peterhansel/Cottret (Fra) MITSUBISHI
BIKE OVERALL STANDING:
Cyril Despres (Fra) KTM
TRUCK OVERALL STANDING:
Kabirov/Belyaev/Mokeev (Rus) KAMAZ

LEADING PARTICIPANTS
Bikes
• KTM : Despres, Meoni, Cox, Brucy, De Gavardo,
Esteve Pujol, Coma, Ullevalseter, Caldecott
• Yamaha : Frétigné
Cars
• Schlesser-Ford : Schlesser-Borsotto, J.M.Servia-
Debron
• Mitsubishi : Masuoka-Schulz, Peterhansel-Cottret,
Roma-Magne, Alphand-Picard
• Nissan : McRae-Thorner, Vatanen-Siviero, De Villiers-
Lurquin, Sousa-Delli-Zotti, Shinozuka-Maimon
• Volkswagen : Saby-Perin, Kankkunen-Repo,
Kleinschmidt-Pons, Gordon-Von Zitzewitz
• BMW : El Attiyah-Guehennec, Monterde-Tornabell
Trucks
• Hino : Sugawara-Suzuki, Sugawara-Hamura
• Kamaz : Tchaguine-Yakoubov-Savostine, Kabirov-
Belyaev-Mokeev, Mardeev-Konopko-Golub
• Tatra : Loprais-Gilar-Kalina, De Azevedo- De
Azevedo-Martinec
• Daf: De Rooy.G-Colsoul-Slaats, De Rooy.J-
Colebunders-Smulders

MAIN FACTS
A rally in mourning. After the death of Jose Manuel Perez, who suffered a fatal accident during stage 6, the two-time event winner Fabrizio Meoni died after a heavy crash during stage 11. Under the shock, the bikers all asked for a cancellation of the following stage and headed to Bamako by plane. Record participation. With 463 vehicles in the race (230 bikes, 164 cars and 69 trucks) added to 224 assistance vehicles, the 1986 participation record was easily beaten. Due to the numerous requests and the necessity to guaranty the best possible conditions for all, the inscriptions were closed as soon as the month of September for the bikers, and a month later for the other categories.
Here come the Americans. Robby Gordon, behind the steering wheel of a Volkswagen Touareg, fully entered the legend of the Dakar by becoming the first American to clinch a stage success in a car, in Barcelona. Chuck Stearns had already showed the way on a bike winning six stages back in the 80s, followed by Danny Laporte during the Paris - Le Cap rally in 1992, but no "Yankee" had managed such a feat on four wheels. Other than the performances of the NASCAR driver, who added a special success in Agadir, young riders Chris Blais, 9th of the final overall standing and Kellon Walch, winner of the final stage at the Lac Rose, also impressed on their KTM bikes.
"Peter" does it again. With a second straight success in the car category, added to his six triumphs on a bike, Stéphane Peterhansel confirmed his status as a record-breaking champion. With 48 special victories, he now needs to grab three extra wins to equal Ari Vatanen's record, that the Finn managed with yet another success, his 51st in Tambacounda.
Despres finally makes it. After a second and a third spot in 2003 and 2004, Cyril Despres climbed on the highest step of the podium for the first time of his career.
Tchaguine still on the run. Despite his six stage successes in the rally, Vladimir Tchaguine, four-time winner of the event still hasn't closed in on Karel Loprais, who still has the victory record with six titles. However Firdaus Kabirov, Tchaguine's team mate, managed to help Kamaz level with Tatra with six triumphs each. "Volant Dakar". Guerlain Chicherit and Mathieu Baumel were the first two winners of the "Volant Dakar" contest, opened to young newcomers of under the age of thirty and offering the possibility for the winners to compete in the rally, free of charge. In a Bowler, the former extreme ski World champion made the best of this opportunity. He indeed managed to make it to Dakar in a very promising 50th position.

THE RACE COURSE
Stage 1: Barcelona - Barcelona (50 km including 6 km of special)
Stage 2: Barcelona - Grenade (920 km including 0 km of special)
Stage 3: Grenade - Rabat (573 km including 10 km of special)
Stage 4: Rabat - Agadir (666 km including 123 km of special)
Stage 5: Agadir - Smara (654 km including 381 km of special)
Stage 6: Smara - Zouerat (622 km including 492 km of special)
Stage 7: Zouerat - Tichit (669 km including 660 km of special)
Stage 8: Tichit - Tidjikja (Neutralised stage)
Stage 9: Tidjikja - Atar (399 km including 361 km of special)
Rest day: Atar
Stage 10: Atar - Atar (499km including 483 of special)
Stage 11: Atar - Kiffa (695 km including 656 km of special)
Stage 12: Kiffa - Bamako (819 km including 586 km of special)
Stage 13: Bamako - Kayes (668 km including 370 km of special)
Stage 14: Kayes - Tambacounda (630 km including 529 km of special)
Stage 15: Tambacounda - Dakar (569 km including 225 km of special)
Stage 16: Dakar - Dakar (68 km including 31 km of special)

Stage 1: Barcelona- Barcelona (50 km including 6 km of special)
In front of 200 000 Barcelona fans massed on the beach of Castelldefels, the 463 vehicles in the race (230 bikes, 164 cars and 69 trucks) started the competition with a 6km super special. David Frétigné (YAM) won ahead of Despres (KTM) in the bike race, Robby Gordon (VW) clinching his first victory in a Dakar on four wheels. In the truck race, Dutchman Bekx (DAF) clocked the fastest time. Suffering a slight fall, Alfie Cox (KTM) was forced to start the rally with a sore shoulder
Stage 2: Barcelona - Granada (920 km of liaison)
The 2005-year started by a long liaison trip. First withdrawal of the rally for Denis Comte, who failed to discover the
desert because of burglars during the New Year's eve. Without a passport, impossible to enter Western Africa.
Stage 3: Granada - Rabat (573 km including 10 km of special)
A fantastic show awaited the Andalousian fans on the military terrain of Armilla, and that's exactly what they got.
David Frétigné confirmed his domination on this type of short and fast special, beating Alfie Cox for stage success.
The Frenchman made his debut in the rally in 2004, and successively won in Narbonne, Castellon, Barcelona and
in Granada, in other words a 100% record in this specific exercise. In the cars, Colin McRae (NIS) proved to be the
fastest, capturing the overall leadership as he entered Africa. In the truck category Bekx won again and kept his
first spot overall.
Stage 4: Rabat - Agadir (666 km including 123 km of special)
The first day of the rally in Africa started with a disappointment. Indeed, the weather conditions forced the
organisers to cancel the bike special. But once the fog had disappeared, the cars were able to take off for their
special on time. Robby Gordon was the fastest on the day and moved back into leading position overall ahead
of Stéphane Peterhansel (MIT), also second of the stage. In the trucks, title holder, Tchaguine (KAM), claimed
victory to take the overall lead.
Stage 5: Agadir - Smara (654 km including 381 km of special)
Australia's Andy Caldecott (KTM) captured his first ever stage success in the rally, while Marc Coma (KTM), 2nd at
3’’, moved into overall first position. In the car event, Colin McRae clinched his second victory of the year,
while "Peter" suffered several punctures. In the truck race, Tchaguine claimed the special and kept his overall
leadership, thanks in part to G. De Rooy's (DAF) crash. His main rival was then over 3h30' adrift!
Stage 6: Smara - Zouerat (622 km including 492 km of special)
First victory for Fabrizio Meoni (KTM) in a bike race now led by Cyril Despres, who clocked the fourth fastest time.
Quite a few upsets in the car race with Robbie Gordon suffering a tumble halfway through the special: no injuries
however but a bruised and battered Volkswagen. After a few attempts to repair the vehicle with his co-driver Dirk
Von Zitzewitz, Gordon was still expecting assistance in the late hours the after-noon. The other man in shape of
this first part of the rally, Colin McRae, had to quite the race after a spectacular crash, just 80-km from the finish.
Bruno Saby, 3rd of a stage won by Stéphane Peterhansel, captured the overall lead. Tchaguine kept his leadership
after a third stage success in the truck race.
Stage 7: Zouerat - Tichit (669 km including 660 km of special)
David Frétigné clinched his sixth stage in a Dakar, his second win in Africa. Marc Coma, 2nd of the special moves
into first spot overall. On four wheels, impressive win for Stéphane Peterhansel who takes command of the rally,
with already a comfortable 21' lead on his team mate Alphand (MIT). Ari Vatanen (NIS), who had already said
farewell to a possible overall victory a day before, this time had to stop for several hours after suffering mechanical
problems. Kenjiro Shinozuka, a winner back in 1997, finished the stage in a helicopter: added to a destroyed
vehicle, his co-driver Pascal Maimon suffered back and neck pains. Finally, Jean-Louis Schlesser left the rally after
spending the afternoon waiting for his assistance in front of the Gallaouiya Fort.
Stage 8: Tichit - Tidjikja (538 km, cancelled special)
The extremely tough weather conditions that forced a great deal of competitors to finish stage 7 extremely late
(overconsumption for most vehicles, impossible for the helicopters to take off due to the bad visibility...), the day's
special was cancelled. The latecomers, still on their way to Tichit, were allowed to carry on, just as long as they
made it on time for the start of the following stage to Tidjikja.
Stage 9: Tidjikja - Atar (399 km including 361 km of special)
Isidre Esteve Pujol (KTM) won in Atar his first victory this year after an expedition alongside seven other bikers that
eventually allowed Fabrizio Meoni to become the new overall leader. In the car race, Luc Alphand's special
success helped him confirm his second spot in the overall standing behind Stéphane Peterhansel, 2nd in Atar
before the rest day. In the truck category, 4th special victory for Tchaguine, who lost all chances of overall victory
due to an empty fuel tank on the previous day, between Zouerat and Tichit. His team mate Kabirov now leads the
event.
Stage 10: Atar - Atar (399 km including 361 km of special)
The stage was marked by the tragic death of biker Jose Manuel Perez, who crashed during stage 6 and suffered
fatal injuries. Cyril Despres claimed his first special of the Dakar, enjoying a 9'13'' overall lead on Meoni.
Ullevalseter on the other hand ended his rally at kilometre 410 with a broken shoulder after crashing. Third special
victory for Kabirov in the truck race.
Stage 11: Atar - Kiffa (695 km including 400 km of special)
Another sad day for the 2005 Dakar with the death of Fabrizio Meoni, 47 years old. A two-time event winner
in 2001 and 2002, the Italian was known to all as one of the most respected and admired competitor of the rally,
especially due to his first experiences as a privateer.
Stage 12: Kiffa - Bamako (819 km including 586 km of special)
Still under the shock of the sad news concerning Fabrizio Meoni, the Dakar carried on its road with no stage for the
bikers who had asked to fly to Bamako by plane. In the car race, Giniel De Villiers (NIS) claimed his first victory of
the year.
Stage 13: Bamako - Kayes (668 km including 370 km of special)
With the entry in Mali and a globally faster course, the stage after a day of mourning for the bikers went to Andy
Caldecott. No major changes in the overall. In the car race, fourth victory for Stéphane Peterhansel who comforts
his advantage on Luc Alphand. Thierry Magnaldi and his buggy take third spot, while "Nani" Roma clinches a good
4th position, his best performance on four wheels up to now. Second straight stage win for G. De Rooy in the truck
event.
Stage 14: Kayes - Tambacounda (630 km including 529 km of special)
Often well placed, Jean De Azevedo (KTM) captured his first ever career victory in a Dakar with a tiny 10’’
advantage on David Frétigné, the smallest gap of the African part of the rally. Overall leader, Cyril Despres saw his
advance drop down due to a time penalty for speeding. His advantage on Coma is now of only 3'16’’. In the cars,
Ari Vatanen was supposed to win a 51st carrer victory, before being penalised for excess speed. Saby, the second
fastest on the track, won the stage, while Peterhansel kept the overall leadership.
Stage 15: Tambacounda - Dakar (569 km including 225 km of special)
Second stage win of the year for Cyril Despres. With only a 3'16'' advantage on dangerous Marc Coma, the overall
leader needs to attack even more. Privateer Alain Duclos manages a fantastic performance by taking second spot,
his best ever result in a Dakar. Giniel De Villiers, winner of his second special this year, doesn't however change
the positions in the overall standing, still led by Peterhansel on the eve of the finish. Tchaguine claims the stage in
the truck race.
Stage 16: Dakar - Dakar (68 km including 31 km of special)
104 bikers, 75 cars and 37 trucks made it to the finish line on the shores of the Lac Rose. In the bike race, young
American Kellon Walch (KTM) claimed the last stage. Cyril Despres celebrated a first success overall, that he
dedicated to his team mates Richard Sainct and Fabrizio Meoni. In the cars, special success went to Bruno Saby
which didn't however prevent "Peter" from keeping his title, giving Mitsubishi a tenth triumph. In the truck
race, Tchaguine's sixth stage victory was only for the record books. He indeed finished 22h35 behind his faithful
team mate Firdaus Kabirov. It was Kamaz's sixth overall win.

• Stage victories
1 Barcelone - Barcelone 50 Gordon/Von Zitzewitz    USA/Ger Volkswagen Frétigné Fra Yamaha Bekx Hol DAF
2 Barcelone - Grenade 920    -    -    - (liaison)
3 Grenade - Rabat 573 McRae/Thörner Sco/Swe Nissan Frétigné Fra Yamaha Bekx Hol DAF
4 Rabat - Agadir 666 Gordon/Von Zitzewitz USA/Ger Volkswagen Cancelled Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
5 Agadir - Smara 654 McRae/Thörner Sco/Swe Nissan Caldecott Aus KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
6 Smara -Zouerat 622 Peterhansel/Cottret Fra/Fra Mitsubishi Meoni Ita KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
7 Zouerat - Tichit 669 Peterhansel/Cottret Fra/Fra Mitsubishi Frétigné Fra Yamaha Kabirov Rus Kamaz
8 Tichit - Tidjikja 538 Cancelled
9 Tidjikja - Atar 399 Alphand/Picard Fra/Fra Mitsubishi Esteve Pujol Spa KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
10 Atar - Atar 499 Peterhansel/Cottret Fra/Fra Mitsubishi Despres Fra KTM Kabirov Rus Kamaz
11 Atar - Kiffa 695 Kleinschmidt/Pons Ger/Ita Volkswagen Coma Spa KTM Bekx Hol DAF
12 Kiffa - Bamako 819 De Villiers/Lurcquin Sfa/Bel Nissan Cancelled G. De Rooy Hol DAF
13 Bamako - Kayes 668 Peterhansel/Cottret Fra/Fra Mitsubishi Caldecott Aus KTM G. De Rooy Hol DAF
14 Kayes - Tambacounda 630 Saby/Perin Fra/Fra Volkswagen De Azevedo Bra KTM G. De Rooy Hol DAF
15 Tambacounda - Dakar 569 De Villiers/Lurcquin Saf/Bel Nissan Despres    Fra KTM    Tchaguine Rus Kamaz
16 Dakar - Dakar 68 Saby/Perin Fra/Fra Volkswagen Walch Fra KTM Tchaguine Rus Kamaz

OVERALL CAR STANDING
1 PETERHANSEL Stephane (F)/COTTRET Jean-Paul (F) MITSUBISHI
2 ALPHAND Luc (F)/PICARD Gilles (F) MITSUBISHI
3 KLEINSCHMIDT Jutta (D)/PONS Fabrizia (I) VOLKSWAGEN
4 DE VILLIERS Giniel (AFS)/LURQUIN Jean-Marie (B) NISSAN
5 SABY Bruno (F)/PERIN Michel (F) VOLKSWAGEN
6 ROMA Nani (Joan (E)/MAGNE Henri (F) MITSUBISHI
7 SOUSA Carlos (P)/DELLI - ZOTTI Thierry (F) NISSAN
8 MAGNALDI Thierry (F)/FORTHOMME Jean-Paul (B) HONDA
9 MONTERDE Jose Luis (E)/TORNABELL Rafael (E) BMW
10 DALMAU Ramon (E)/OLLER Enric (E) TOT CURSES
11 MITSUHASHI Jun (J)/PONCET Sylvain (F) NISSAN
12 GORDON Robby (USA)/VON ZITZEWITZ Dirk (D) VOLKSWAGEN
13 CHARBONNIER Thierry (F)/ANTONIOLLI Patrick (F) BOWLER
14 SELGA Francesc (E)/SALIDO Felix (E) BOWLER
15 LEYDS Chris (HOL)/VAANHOLT Herman (HOL) BOWLER
16 KOLBERG Klever (BRE)/ROLDAN Lourival (BRE) MITSUBISHI
17 ASAGA Toshinori (J)/NUMATA Yasushi (J) NISSAN
18 PALIK Laszlo (HON)/DARAZSI Gabor (HON) TOYOTA
19 ZHOU Yong (CHI)/SCHURGER Denis (F) NISSAN
20 RATET Jean-Jacqu (F)/CATTARELLI Bruno (F) TOYOTA
21 SZALAY Balazs (HON)/BUNKOCZI Laszlo (HON) OPEL
22 BLAZQUEZ ROURA Marc (E)/SALVADOR IBANEZ Ignacio (E) NISSAN
23 LOCATELLI Daniel (F)/HAQUETTE Didier (F) BOWLER
24 VAN VLIET Marcel (HOL)/WAMS Marc (HOL) LAND-ROVER
25 VAN DEN BROECK Michel (B)/FERYN Pascal (B) TOYOTA
26 GUINOT Jean-Franc (F)/KROISS Manfred (F) VOLKSWAGEN
27 MICHIELS Albert (B)/DE CONINCK Patrick (B) BOWLER
28 GACHE Philippe (F)/GARCIN Jean-Pierr (F) BUGGY
29 CHABOT Ronan (F)/PILLOT Gilles (F) TOYOTA
30 KATAYAMA Ukyo (J)/ARAKAWA Daisuke (J) TOYOTA
31 DE LORENZO Dario (I)/DE LORENZO Aldo (I) NISSAN
32 FROMONT Yves (F)/LAMBERT Olivier (F) BOWLER
33 KIS Sandor (HON)/CZEGLEDI Peter (HON) NISSAN
34 FOJ Xavier (E)/PUJOLAR Joan (E) TOYOTA
35 REEDTZ-THOTT Ivan (DK)/PEDERSEN Niels (DK) LAND-ROVER
36 SKOKS Igors (LET)/PIKIS Agris (LET) OSC
37 BERNARD Eric (F)/JONCHERE Miguel (F) TOYOTA
38 AZIS Janis (LET)/PRINCIS Ainars (LET) OSC
39 VATANEN Ari (FIN)/SIVIERO Tiziano (I) NISSAN
40 THOMASSE Pascal (F)/CARPENTE Francois (F) MERCEDES
41 ORIOLI Edi (I)/ROSOLEN Pascal (I) ISUZU
42 BILLAUT Gilles (F)/MARTIN Jean-Luc (F) TOYOTA
43 RIVIERE Jean Paul (F)/DELAMARE Philippe (F) TOYOTA
44 XU Lang (CHI)/LURQUIN Fabian (B) NISSAN
45 SAUKANS Maris (LET)/ZARINS Didzis (LET) OSC
46 GREEN Paul (GB)/HUZZEY Richard (GB) LAND-ROVER
47 LASSOUED Abla (TUN)/CHEDLY Abdellatif (TUN) TOYOTA
48 SERVIA COSTA Salvador (E)/PALACIOS Enrique (E) BMW
49 CHICHERIT Guerlain (F)/BAUMEL Matthieu (F) NISSAN
50 SICRE Gerard Luc (F)/VIGNALI Stephane (F) BOWLER
51 ROUSSELOT Benoit (F)/DE WEINDEL Philippe (F) TOYOTA
52 WADE Syndiely (SEN)/DESMAZURE Pierre - H (F) NISSAN
53 MEGUENI Sofiane (ALG)/MEGUENI Mustapha (ALG) MERCEDES
54 GOUTALAND Sylviane (F)/METGE Elodie (F) TOYOTA
55 HOUSIEAUX Dominique (F)/FAGOT Loic (F) MITSUBISHI
56 LU Ningjun (CHI)/PIO Alessandro (I) NISSAN
57 LAVIEILLE Christian (F)/CHOUPIN Christian (F) NISSAN
58 DEBANNE Alexandre (F)/JOINEAU Marc (F) TOYOTA
59 NORMAND COURIVAUD Jean-Pierr (F)/HUGOUNENQ Denis (F) TOYOTA
60 HOLOWCZYC Krzysztof (PL)/FORTIN Jean-Marc (B) MITSUBISHI
61 MARQUES Paulo (POR)/RUI Benedi (POR) TOYOTA
62 PLAZA PEREZ Manuel (E)/DE QUINTO Marcos MERCEDES
63 ARCIERO Ryan (USA)/VON DER DECKEN Nikolaus (D) TOYOTA
64 SKILTON Darren (USA)/MILES Jonathan (USA) KIA
65 MORIN Eric (F)/DESNEUF Marc Andre (F) MERCEDES
66 LISZI Laszlo (HON)/RACK Georg (D) MITSUBISHI
67 LECHLEITER Jacky (F)/HETT Patrick (F) VOLKSWAGEN
68 ROQUE Alejandro (E)/NAVARRO Jesus (E) TOYOTA
69 GINES JIMENEZ Jose Maria (E)/SANTOS DEL POZO Manuel TOYOTA
70 LEAL DOS SANTOS Ricardo (P)/SILVA Rui Albert (P) MITSUBISHI
71 PICCINI Jean-Miche (F)/AIVAZIAN Marc (F) TOYOTA
72 MARTINCEVIC Zvonimir (CRO)/FRCKO Marin (CRO) TOYOTA
73 GUYONNET-DUPERAT Henri (F)/VALION Claude (F) ISUZU
74 RICHARD Nicolas (F)/MEYLEU Alain (F) ISUZU
75 VILLECHALANE Didier (F)/COLLET Christophe (F) ISUZU

OVERALL BIKE STANDING
1 DESPRES Cyril (F) KTM
2 COMA Marc (E) KTM
3 COX Alfie (AFS) KTM
4 ESTEVE PUJOL Isidre (E) KTM
5 FRETIGNE David (F) KTM
6 CALDECOTT Andy (AUS) KTM
7 DE AZEVEDO Jean (BRE) KTM
8 SALA Giovanni (I) KTM
9 BLAIS Chris (USA) YAMAHA
10 BRUCY Jean (F) KTM
11 DABROWSKI Marek (PL) KTM
12 CZACHOR Jacek (PL) KTM
13 CASTEU David (F) KTM
14 DUCLOS Alain (F) KTM
15 GRAZIANI Matteo (I) KTM
16 VERHOEVEN Frans (HOL) KTM
17 HARDEN Scot (USA) KTM
18 CHARBONNEL Laurent (F) KTM
19 QUINONERO Pierre (F) YAMAHA
20 LEPAN Frederic (F) KTM
21 BASTOUILH Dominique (F) KTM
22 WALCH Kellon (USA) KTM
23 VERHOEF Eric (HOL) KTM
24 DE URIARTE Pedro (MEX) KTM
25 BECKERS Jonas-Fran (B) KTM
26 VIGNERON Pascual Je (CIV) KTM
27 VARGA Akos (HON) KTM
28 BROUWER Arjan (HOL) YAMAHA
29 BORSI Marco (I) KTM
30 PIROUD Eric (F) KTM
31 COTTET Philippe (SUI) YAMAHA
32 RIVERA Victor (E) KTM
33 CORINTI Pascal (F) KTM
34 CARILLON Patrice (F) KTM
35 MARCUSSON Bertil (S) HONDA
36 GORRARA Celso (SUI) KTM
37 SCHWARZ David (AUS) KTM
38 KASTAN Ivo (CZ) KTM
39 ROBIN Dominique (F) KTM
40 WARRANT Jean - Mar (B) KTM
41 MESSIAEN Jean-Chris (B) KTM
42 POLLI Oscar (I) KTM
43 JOBARD Willy (F) KTM
44 RAMOS MARTINEZ Antonio (E) KTM
45 ALGAY Gilles (F) KTM
46 CINIER Franck (F) KTM
47 BENETTI Fabio (I) YAMAHA
48 EXTANCE Michael (GB) HONDA
49 ORFANOS Vasileios (GR) HONDA
50 HANSSON Bo (S) KTM
51 ISCLA GARCIA Carlos (E) KTM
52 CISCAR CHISBERT Rafael (E) KTM
53 GORLA Alain (F) YAMAHA
54 KARSMAKERS Jyrki (B)    KTM
55 PASQUATO Matteo (I) HONDA
56 MARCANT Dominique (F) KTM
57 SNIJDERS Marcel (HOL) KTM
58 FRANSSEN Bart (HOL) KTM
59 FLORIN Christophe (F) KTM
60 DE BOIS Thomas (HOL)    YAMAHA
61 LORGE Frank (B) KTM
62 PAGNON Luc (F) KTM
63 RAMON Jeroen (B) YAMAHA
64 LUIK Taivo (EST) KTM
65 RAUSEO Charlie (USA)    KTM
66 RAYMOND Bruno (F) KTM
67 ASTORI Gianernest (I) KTM
68 LEVALLE Pablo (ARG) KTM
69 PUERTAS HERRERA Miguel (E) YAMAHA
70 NAVAL PEREZ Eduardo (E) KTM
71 DUBOIS Norbert (F) KTM
72 AUGUSTYNS Jozef (B)    KTM
73 BACKX Rene (B) KTM
74 DULLUM Marc (DK) KTM
75 GARCIA CRUZ Amos (E)    KTM
76 BERGMAN Bob (CDN) KTM
77 BERNARBEU Eric (F) YAMAHA
78 PAVEY Simon (AUS) BMW
79 DUNCA Romeo (ROU) KTM
80 MOREL Antoine (F) BOMBARDIER
81 NAGY Peter (HON) KTM
82 GALAMEZ Frederic (F) KTM
83 ARNOULT Patrick (F) KTM
84 LIBBRECHT Franck (F) KTM
85 VINCENT Pascal (F) KTM
86 CABINI Antonio (I) KTM
87 DEVEDIJA Rodolphe (F) BMW
88 DE BEAUFORT Guillaume (F) KTM
89 VERZELETTI Giulio (I) KTM
90 RATSEPP Andres (EST) KTM
91 DE MEGNI Franco (I) YAMAHA
92 PAYEN Hugo (F) KTM
93 DEFLANDRE Olivier (F) KTM
94 MOSSI Edoardo (I) KTM
95 MOUGEOT Denis (F) KTM
96 BECQUART Patrick (F) KTM
97 PUY Ludivine (F) KTM
98 CUCURACHI Ennio (I) KTM
99 RAUSEO David (USA) KTM
100 ALON Yehezkel (ISR) KTM
101 HIGY Jean Paul (F) YAMAHA
102 AUSINA Amparo (E) YAMAHA
103 VION Dominique (F) HONDA
104 PERIGAUD Franck (F) KTM

OVERALL TRUCK STANDING
1 KABIROV Firdaus (RUS)/BELYAEV Aydar (RUS)/MOKEEV Andrey (RUS) Kamaz 4911
2 SUGAWARA Yoshimasa (J)/HAMURA Katsumi (J) Hino RANGER FT
3 VISMARA Giacomo (I)/BELLINA Claudio (I)/CAMBIAGHI Mario (I) Mercedes UNIMOG
4 DE ROOY Jan (HOL)/COLEBUNDERS Dany (B)/SMULDERS Clemens Daf FAV 75
5 DE ROOY Gerard (HOL)/COLSOUL Tom (B)/SLAATS Arno (HOL) Daf FAV 75
6 SUGAWARA Teruhito (J)/SUZUKI Seiichi (J) Hino RANGER FT
7 ALEN Markku (FIN)/TONI Guido (I)/MICOZZI Adriano (I) Iveco EUROCARBO
8 SADLAUER Karl (AUT)/MAIER Franz (AUT)/MAYER Martin (AUT) Man L90
9 REIF Peter (AUT)/PICHLBAUER Gunter (AUT)/HUBER Stefan (AUT) Man LE 18280
10 GOVAERE Jan (B)/GHERARDYN Mario (B)/DESPIEGELAERE Yves (B) Ginaf
11 CHIONNI Sergio (I)/FOGLIANI Pietro (I)/PIANA Marco (I) Daimler UNIMOG 400
12 VILA Pep (E)/TORRALLARDONA Moi (E)/MANRESA Toni (E) Man 18.28 LAC
13 TRUCCO Luisa (I)/PATTONO Corrado (I) Mercedes UNIMOG
14 PANSERI Maurizio (I)/BREVI Attilio (I)/MOR Oscar (I) Daimler VGM 500L Man
15 JUVANTENY Jordi (E)/CRIADO Jose Luis (E)/PARDO Francesc (E) MAN 27.464 DFAC
16 DARAZSI Zsolt (HON)/TAGAI Robert (HON)/SZALAI Norbert (HON) Man 18285 LAK
17 PEZZOTTA Lucio (I)/ZAMBETTI Ivan (I)/MINELLI Giulio (I) Mercedes UNIMOG
18 TCHAGIN Vladimir (RUS)/YAKUBOV Semen (RUS)/SAVOSTIN Serguey Kamaz 4911
19 VANDEKERKHOVE Ignace (B)/CALLAERT Koenraad (B)/DE LEEUW To Man M 2000
20 TIBAU Rafael (E)/GOTLIB Charles (B)/JIMENEZ David (E) Daf FAV CF 75530
21 DUISTERS Hugo (B)/GEUSENS Yvo (B)/EL BOUZIDI Mohamed (HOL) Daf CF75
22 LEIHENER Klaus (D)/ZIEGLER Uwe (D)/GOLDBERG Thorsten (D) Man L 90
23 OLIVERAS David (E)/CAMPA LORENZO Agustin (E)/TIEFENBACH Philip Mercedes 1844 AK 4X4
24 JACINTO Elisabete (POR)/JACMART Olivier (B)/PORELO Rui (POR) Renault 420.18 4X4 DAKAR
25 PUJOL Josep (E)/MANUEL RIMBAU Alex (E)/VERBIST Francois (B) Man L90
26 BESNARD Sylvain (F)/MAUNEAU Arsene (F)/MOQUET Daniel (F) Mercedes 2635
27 ESSERS Noel (B)/LAUWERS Marc (B)/MEULENBROEKS Hans (HOL) Man L 19 LAL
28 CAPOFERRI Massimo (I)/FUMAGALLI Angelo (I) Man
29 CALZI Stefano (I)/FIORI Umberto (I)/HILL Colin John (AUS) Man 18 285 LA
30 SZALLER Zoltan (HON)/FARKAS Nandor (HON)/KERESZTESI Peter (HON) Mercedes 1936 AK 38
31 PRUNIER Daniel (F)/RICHARD Dominique (F)/DANIEL Nicolas (F) Mercedes UNIMOG
32 DEBEUGNY Vincent (F)/LOUIN Raymond (F)/DUNAND Daniel (F) Mercedes 1935 AK
33 VIGNE Jean-Leona (F)/GIOZZET Pergentino (I)/PASCUTTI Stephane (F) Mercedes UNIMOG
34 DARROUX Roger (F)/HUENS Franck (F)/CHAIX Yves (F) Renault KERAX 380
35 DE MULDER Peter (B)/DAMEN Jurgen (B)/KOETSIER Simon (HOL) Ginaf X2223
36 HOEBEKE Roland (B)/BEGUIN Francois (B) Mercedes UNIMOG

Appendices - Winners
CAR WINNERS
Years    Driver  Co-drivers  Driver Nationality  Co-driver Nationality  Brands
1979 Genestier/Terblaut/Lemodant FRA RANGE ROVER
1980 Kotulinsky/Luffelman GER  GER  VOLKSWAGEN
1981 Metge/Giroux  FRA    FRA  RANGE ROVER
1982 Marreau/Marreau  FRA  FRA    RENAULT
1983 Ickx/Brasseur  BEL     FRA  MERCEDES
1984 Metge/Lemoyne  FRA     FRA  PORSCHE 911
1985 Zaniroli/Da Silva    FRA  FRA  MITSUBISHI
1986 Metge/Lemoyne  FRA  FRA  PORSCHE 959
1987 Vatanen/Giroux  FIN  FRA    PEUGEOT 205
1988 Kankkunen/Piironen     FIN  FIN  PEUGEOT 205
1989 Vatanen/Berglund    FIN  FIN  PEUGEOT 405
1990 Vatanen/Berglund    FIN  FIN  PEUGEOT 405
1991 Vatanen/Berglund    FIN  FIN  CITROËN ZX
1992 Auriol/Monnet    FRA  FRA  MITSUBISHI
1993 Saby/Serieys    FRA  FRA  MITSUBISHI
1994 Lartigue/Périn    FRA  FRA  CITROËN ZX
1995 Lartigue/Périn    FRA  FRA  CITROËN ZX
1996 Lartigue/Périn    FRA  FRA  CITROËN ZX
1997 Shinozuka/Magne    JAP  FRA  MITSUBISHI
1998 Fontenay/Picard    FRA  FRA  MITSUBISHI
1999 Schlesser/Monnet    FRA  FRA  SCHLESSER
2000 Schlesser/Magne    FRA  FRA  SCHLESSER
2001 Kleinschmidt/Schulz  GER  GER  MITSUBISHI
2002 Masuoka/Maimon  JAP  FRA    MITSUBISHI
2003 Masuoka/Schulz  JAP  GER    MITSUBISHI
2004 Peterhansel/Cottret  FRA  FRA  MITSUBISHI
2005 Peterhansel/Cottret  FRA  FRA  MITSUBISHI

TRUCK WINNERS
1979 No race that year           
1980 Ataquat/Boukrif/Kaoula  FRA  SONACOME
1981 Villette/Gabrielle/Voillerau  FRA    ALM/ACMAT
1982 Groine/De Saulieu/Malferiol  FRA    MERCEDES
1983 Groine/De Saulieu/Malferiol  FRA    MERCEDES
1984 Lalleu/Durce  FRA    MERCEDES
1985 Capito Ca/Capito Ca  ITA    MERCEDES
1986 Vismara/Minelli  ITA  MERCEDES
1987 De Rooy/Geusens Van  HOL    DAF
1988 Loprais/Stachura/Ingmuck    RTC  TATRA
1989 Pas de course cette année la           
1990 Villa/Delfino/Vinante  ITA     PERLINI
1991 Houssat/De Saulieu/Bottaro     FRA  PERLINI
1992 Perlini/Albieio/Vinante  ITA  PERLINI
1993 Perlini/Albieio/Vinante  ITA  PERLINI
1994 Loprais/Kalina/Stachura  RTC  TATRA
1995 Loprais/Kalina/Stachura  RTC  TATRA
1996 Moskovskikh/Kouzmine  RUS    KAMAZ
1997 Reif/Deinhofer  AUS  HINO
1998 Loprais/Stachura/Cermak  RTC  TATRA
1999 Loprais/Kalina/Stachura  RTC  TATRA
2000 Tchaguine/Yakoubov/Savostine  RUS    KAMAZ
2001 Loprais/Kalina  RTC  TATRA
2002 Tchaguine/Mardeev/Savostine  RUS  KAMAZ
2003 Tchaguine/Yakoubov/Savostine RUS KAMAZ
2004 Tchaguine/Yakoubov/Savostine  RUS    KAMAZ
2005 Kabirov/Belyaev Mokeev  RUS  KAMAZ

BIKE WINNERS
1979 Neveu    FRA    YAMAHA
1980 Neveu    FRA    YAMAHA
1981 Auriol    FRA    BMW
1982 Neveu    FRA    HONDA
1983 Auriol    FRA    BMW
1984 Rahier    BEL    BMW
1985 Rahier    BEL    BMW
1986 Neveu    FRA    HONDA
1987 Neveu    FRA    HONDA
1988 Orioli    ITA    HONDA
1989 Lalay    FRA    HONDA
1990 Orioli    ITA    CAGIVA
1991 Peterhansel  FRA    YAMAHA
1992 Peterhansel  FRA    YAMAHA
1993 Peterhansel  FRA    YAMAHA
1994 Orioli  ITA  CAGIVA
1995 Peterhansel  FRA    YAMAHA
1996 Orioli  ITA  YAMAHA
1997 Peterhansel  FRA    YAMAHA
1998 Peterhansel  FRA    YAMAHA
1999 Sainct  FRA  BMW
2000 Sainct  FRA  BMW
2001 Meoni  ITA     KTM
2002 Meoni  ITA     KTM
2003 Sainct  FRA  KTM
2004 Roma  SPA    KTM
2005 Despres  FRA  KTM

Appendices - Statistics
CAR STATISTICS

NUMBER OF VICTORIES BY DRIVER
Vatanen    187-89-90-91   4
Lartigue 94-95-96   3
Metge    81-84-86   3
Peterhansel  2004-2005   2
Masuoka     2002-2003  2
Schlesser  99-2000  2
Auriol    92  1
Fontenay  98  1
Genestier/Terblaut/Lemodant  79  1
Ickx    83  1
Kankkunen  88  1
Kleinschmidt  2001  1
Kotulinsky  80  1
Marreau C  82  1
Saby    93  1
Shinozuka  97  1
Zaniroli  85  1

NUMBER OF VICTORIES BY CO-DRIVER
Périn  94-95-96  3
Berglund  89-90-91  3
Cottret  2004-2005  2
Schulz  2001-2003  2
Monnet  92-99  2
Magne  97-2000  2
Lemoyne  84-86  2
Giroux  81-87  2
Serieys  93  1
Schulz  2001  1
Piironen  88  1
Picard  98  1 
Marreau B  82  1 
Maimon  2002  1 
Luffelman  80  1
Da Silva  85  1
Brasseur  83  1

NUMBER OF VICTORIES BY BRAND
MITSUBISHI  85-92-93-97-98-01-02-03-04-05     10
CITROËN  91-94-95-96    4
PEUGEOT  87-88-89-90    4
PORSCHE  84-86    2
RANGE ROVER  79-81  2
SCHLESSER  99-2000  2
MERCEDES  83    1
RENAULT  82    1
VOLKSWAGEN  80    1

NUMBER OF VICTORIES BY DRIVER NATIONALITY
France    15
Finland    5
Japan    3
Germany    2
Belgium    1

TRUCK STATISTICS
Loprais/Stachura/Kalina  88-94-95-98-99-2001    6 
Tchaguine  88-94-95-98-99  5
Savostine  94-95-99-2001  4
Yakoubov  2000-02-03-04     4
De Saulieu  2000-02-03-04  4
Vinante 2000-03-04  3
Albieio  82-83-91 3
Groine  90-92-93  3
Malferiol 92-93     2
Perlini 82-83    2
Kabirov 82-83    2
Belyaev  92-93    2
Mokeev  2005    1
Ataquat  2005    1
Bottaro  2005    1
Boukrif  80    1
Capito  91    1
Cermak  80    1
De Rooy  85    1
Deinhofer  98    1
Delfino  87    1
Durce  97    1
Geusens  90    1
Houssat  84    1
Ingmuck  87    1
Kaoula  91    1
Kouzmine  88    1
Villette  80    1
Gabrielle  96    1
Voillerau  81    1
Lalleu  81    1
Mardeev    2002  1
Minelli    86  1
Moskovskikh  96  1
Reif    97  1
Van    87  1
Villa    90  1
Vismara    86  1

Number of victories by brand
TATRA  88-94-95-98-99-2001  6
KAMAZ  96-2000-02-03-04-05  6
MERCEDES  82-83-84-85-86  5
PERLINI  90-91-92-93  4
SONACONE  80
HINO  97
ALM/ACMAT  81
DAF  87

Number of victories by Nation
Czech Republik    6
France    6
Russia    6
Italy    5
Austria    1
Holland    1

BIKE STATISTICS
Number of victories by brand
Yamaha    9
BMW    6
KTM    5
Honda    5
Cagiva    2

Number of victories by Nation
France   18
Italy   6
Belgium  2
Spain   1

Number of victories
Peterhansel  6
Neveu    5
Orioli    4
Sainct    3
Auriol    2
Rahier    2
Meoni    2
Despres    1
Lalay    1
Roma    1

COUNTRIES CROSSED
START
France  21
Spain  4
Senegal  2

NUMBER OF FINISHES
Senegal  23
Egypt  2
France  1
South Africa  1

VISITS
Senegal    26
France    21
Mali    20
Mauritania  18
Nigers    14
Algeria    11
Morocco    10
Spain    10
Burkina Faso (High-Volta)  7
Libya    6
Guinea    5
Ivory Coast  3
Burkina Faso  3
Tunisia  2
Egypt  2
Tchad  2
South Africa  1
Angola  1
Cameroon  1
Congo  1
Namibia  1
Rep.Centrafricaine  1
Sierra Léone  1

GREATEST number of special wins (including prologues)
Car
Vatanen (Fin)    50
Ickx (Bel)    29
Masuoka (Jap)    25
Fontenay (Fra)    24
Lartigue (Fra)    21
Shinozuka (Jap)    21
Peterhansel (Fra) 15
Saby (Fra)    15
Metge (Fra)    13
Auriol (Fra)    13
Schlesser (Fra)    12
JM.Servia (Spa)    12
Zaniroli (Fra)    12
Kleinschmidt (Ger) 10
Wambergue (Fra)    8
Briavoine (Fra)    7
Cowan (GB)    7
Colsoul (Bel)    6
Gabreau (Fra)    6
Marreau (Fra)    6
Mehta (Ken)    6
Ch.Neveu (Fra)    6
Pescarolo (Fra)    6
Tambay (Fra)    6
Trossat (Fra)    6
Eriksson (Swe)    5
Weber (Ger)    5
Kottulinsky (Ger) 4
McRae (Gbr)    4
Rigal (Fra)    4
Sousa (Por)    4
Waldegard (Swe)    4
Alphand (Fra)    3
Cotel (Fra)    3
Darniche (Fra)    3
De Mevius (Bel)    3
De Villiers (Saf) 3
Prieto (Spa)    3
Ambrosino (Fra)    2
Arnoux (Fra)    2
Frequelin (Fra)    2
Gil (Spa)    2
Gordon (Usa)    2
Ragnotti (Fra)    2
Raymondis (Fra)    2
Bouchet (Fra)    1
Boussier (Fra)    1
Bosteels (Fra)    1
Cavalleri (Ita)    1
Daurageon (Fra)    1
Day raut (Fra)    1
Deladriere (Fra) 1
Elford (Gbr)    1
Fougerousse (Fra) 1
Gaillard (Fra)    1
Genestier (Fra)    1
Guedes (Fra)    1
Guegan (Fra)    1
Henrard (Bel)    1
Jaussaud (Fra)    1
Kankkunen (Fin)    1
Kussmau (Ger)    1
Lacaze (Fra)    1
Luc (Fra)    1
Marmiroli (Ita)    1
Moreau (Fra)    1
Privé (Fra)    1
Riviere (Fra)    1
Salonen (Fin)    1
Seppi (Ita)    1
S.Servia (Spa)    1
Simbille (Fra)    1
Strugo (Fra)    1
Touroul (Fra)    1
Ydraut (Fra)    1
Zanussi (Ita)    1

Bike
Peterhansel (Fra)  33
Arcarons (Spa)    27
Auriol (Fra)    24
De Pétri (Ita)    19
Orioli (Ita)    17
Rahier (Bel)    17
Sainct (Fra)    15
Meoni (Ita)    14
Bacou (Fra)    13
Neveu (Fra)    12
Roma (Spa)    12
Kinigadner (Aus)  11
Despres (Fra)    10
Picco (Ita)    10
Lalay (Fra)    9
Vassard (Fra)    9
Cox (Saf)    8
Merel (Fra)    8
Sala (Ita)    8
Magnaldi (Fra)    7
Frétigné (Fra)    6
Picard (Fra)    6
Stearns (Usa)    6
Tiainen (Fin)    6
Charbonnel (Fra)  5
Drobecq (Fra)    5
Esteve Pujol (Spa)  5
Mas (Spa)    5
Terruzzi (Ita)    5
Baron (Fra)    4
De Gavardo (Chi)  4
Gallardo (Spa)    4
Jimmink (Hol)    3
Joineau (Fra)    3
Lewis (usa)    3
Lund mark (Swe)    3
Morales (Fra)    3
Albaret (Fra)    2
Brucy (Fra)    2
Caldecott (Aut)    2
Charbonnier (Fra)  2
Comte (Fra)    2
Desheulles (Fra)  2
Haydon (Aut)    2
Huynen (Bel)    2
Laporte (Usa)    2
Marinoni (Ita)    2
Olivier (Fra)    2
Rayer (Fra)    2
Sotelo (Spa)    2
Steuri (Spa)    2
Trolli (Ita)    2
Von Zitzevitz (Ger)  2
Wagner (Fra)    2
Balestrieri (Ita)  1
Barat (Fra)    1
Bernard (Fra)    1
Boudou (Fra)    1
Breton (Fra)    1
Charliat (Fra)    1
Coma (Spa)    1
De Azevedo (Bra)  1
Deacon (Gbr)    1
Desnoyers (Fra)    1
Fenouil (Fra)    1
Findanno (Ita)    1
Flick (Fra)    1
Graziani (Ita)    1
Griep (Ger)    1
Hau (Ger)    1
Katrinak (Rtc)    1
Kirkpatrick (Bel)  1
Kubicek (Swi)    1
Mandelli (Ita)    1
Marques (Por)    1
Mas Samora (Spa)  1
Medardo (Ita)    1
Pineau (Fra)    1
Poli (Fra)    1
Potisek (Fra)    1
Quinonero (Fra)    1
Rigoni (Fra)    1
Schaal (Fra)    1
Spira (Bel)    1
Verhaeghe (Fra)    1
Verley (Fra)    1
Villar (Por)    1
Walch (Usa)    1

Truck (since 99)
Tchaguine (Rus)    34
Kabirov (Rus)    23
Loprais (Rtc)    16
De Azevedo (Bra)    9
G.De Rooy (Hol)    9
J.De Rooy (Hol)    3
Bekx (Bel)    3
Reif (Aus)    3
Pattono (Ita)    2
Sugawara (Jap)    2
Jacinto (Por)    1
Stacey (Hol)    1

Top 10 specials all categories
Vatanen (Fin)    50
Peterhansel (Fra)  48
Auriol (Fra)    37
Tchaguine (Rus)    34
Ickx (Bel)    29
Arcarons (Spa)    27
Masuoka (Jap)    25
Fontenay (Fra)    24
Kabirov (Rus)    23
Lartigue (Fra)    21

GREATEST number of special wins by brand
Car
MITSUBISHI  144
CITROËN     59
PEUGEOT     49
RANGE ROVER  34
SCHLESSER  25
NISSAN     21
PORSCHE     21
LADA     18
MERCEDES  17
VOLKSWAGEN  13
RENAULT     8
OPEL  5
AUDI  3
BMW  3
LAND ROVER  2
MEGA    2
SEAT    2
TOYOTA    2
FIAT    1
SUBARU    1

Bike
KTM    128
YAMAHA    124
CAGIVA    59
HONDA    52
BMW    46
SUZUKI    10
GILERA    3
HUSQVARNA  3
BARIGO    2
KAWASAKI  1

Truck (since 1999)
KAMAZ    57
TATRA    26
DAF    16
MAN    3
HINO    2
MERCEDES  2
RENAULT    1

Appendices - men of the Dakar
THIERRY SABINE
In 1978, Thierry Sabine, lost himself riding his bike in the middle of the Libyan Desert. Just saved in the time and marked by such an experience, he decided to create a rally-raid to "help dream those who remain" and launched in 1979 a course through the mythical and extraordinary landscapes of mysterious Africa with a finish line in Dakar: the Paris-Dakar was born. A young and bright man, he was a car driver as well as an excellent horse rider, a press officer for the Arcs ski resort, the city of Le Touquet but also of music band "Il était une fois". Other than the Paris-Dakar, Thierry Sabine was also the creator of races such as the Enduro du Touquet, the Croisiere Verte, the Croisiere Bleue in Belgium, and also the Croisiere Blanche. Thierry Sabine died on the 14th of January 1986 in a helicopter crash. He was 39 years old.

GILBERT SABINE
Working as a dentist, Gilbert Sabine helped his son Thierry, including financially, in all the stages of the creation of the Paris-Dakar. A distant spectator that remained attentive at the first editions, he insisted on taking over when his son died, to help maintain the passion. Gilbert Sabine became the race director as of 1987, at the age of 64. His total engagement in the organisation allowed the event to survive despite the death of its creator.

JEAN-CLAUDE MORELET, called « FENOUIL »
In 1978, Fenouil was already part of Thierry Sabine's close relatives and therefore started the first recognition of the future Paris-Dakar. A talented bike and car competitor, as well as the organiser of the Tunisia rally, Fenouil managed to enter the top 10 of the Dakar five times, with a best performance of second in 1990, as the co-driver of Bjorn Waldegard. After the departure of Gilbert Sabine, A.S.O. asked him to conceive en direct the 1994 edition of the rally.

HUBERT AURIOL
Hubert "the African" was the Dakar race director from 1995 to 2003. He started competing on a bike in 1973 and after a serious accident moved to four wheels in 1988. Three-time event winner, twice on a bike (1981 and 83) and once in a car, he was the first to win in both categories in the biggest of all African events. Hubert Auriol is one of the rare to have taken part in almost al the editions of the Dakar: 17 as a competitor and 7 as the organiser.

ETIENNE LAVIGNE
Etienne Lavigne entered the Dakar organisation in 1992, under the management of Gilbert Sabine. Stung by the virus of Africa during his first professional experience in Algeria, he then multiplied trips, mainly to increase his centres of interest and worked for a humanitarian cause in Afghanistan. In charge of the logistics department on the rally, Etienne Lavigne has been part of all the major moments of the Dakar's recent history. His responsibilities have for example made him manage the airlift from Niger to Libya in 2000. He became the event director for its 2005 edition and intends to carry on his mission with the intention to develop the rally into a rich and deepened relationship with the African countries. His knowledge of the field and his concern for detail make him an expert of the Dakar, eager to take into account all the aspects of the event.

STEPHANE LE BAIL joined the Dakar team as the car sporting director.
An experienced co-driver, he covered the rally several times during the previous ten years (co-driver, opening team, recognition...). Also part of the opening team in the events of the FIA rally-raid World Cup in 2003 et 2004, he uses his knowledge of the car competition and his experience as a co-driver to design the course. He suffered a serious car accident during the month of November 2005 and is therefore forced to watch the Dakar take off without him for his first year as an organiser.

DAVID CASTERA, present during the 2005 edition as a consultant for the bikers, has been asked to become the bike sporting director as of 2006.
A competitor on five occasions on a bike, he finished third back in 1997. His contribution is precious during the recognition, where he is in charge of the conformity of the race course especially when it comes to two wheels. After helping out in the update of the sporting rules for 2006, he will also have a key role during the rally, as he will be assisting Etienne Lavigne for the race direction of the event

(Automobilista 4 / 2004)