— Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and MMSP GmbH., which is responsible for all motor sport activities, took overall victory on the 2005 Telefonica Dakar Rally, popularly known as the Paris-Dakar. The world-renowned cross country event started in Barcelona, Spain on New Year's Eve and concluded on Sunday, January 16 in the Senegalese capital of Dakar. The event was fought out over harsh desert conditions where many competitors were forced to retire. The Pajero / Montero Evolution of the Mitsubishi Motors Repsol ATS Studios team - driven by Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel - took victory and his second consecutive win with the team. Fellow countryman Luc Alphand took an impressive second overall. With this unprecedented win, Mitsubishi achieved its fifth successive victory and 10th overall win; a record-breaking Dakar achievement. Also, the Pajero / Montero Evolution driven by Spaniard Joan "Nani" Roma, who was competing for the first time on four wheels, claimed sixth overall, giving Mitsubishi three cars in the top six.
Akira Kijima, Managing Director Head of Product Operations for Mitsubishi Motors and responsible for motor sport activities, said: "I am proud that we were able to achieve the first ever fifth successive victory on the one of the toughest events in the world, the Dakar Rally.
"Mitsubishi Motors' involvement in motor sport is not merely a promotional activity, but is really at the heart of the Mitsubishi Motors brand. We strive to take our cars to the limits of performance by competing in events such as The Dakar and World Rally Championship (WRC) and feed the technology and know-how acquired directly back into all of our production cars, also giving them a sporty spirit and desirable image. This helps us to make production vehicles that not only have improved durability and safety, but also good road performance and driving capability.
"Mitsubishi cars have long been known for their sturdiness, endurance and robustness, and it is these qualities that are derived from our motor sport participation. We intend to strengthen motor sport activities and, in so doing, raise the value of the Mitsubishi Motors brand."
President of Mitsubishi's motor sports company MMSP GmbH., Isao Torii, said, "I think the victory was ours this year because of the strong teamwork and the car's performance. I believe the high level of these two ingredients led to victory. Compared to last year, our rivals really improved their power but our Pajero / Montero Evolution was no match for them. Each and every member of the support staff under the guidance of Team Director Dominique Serieys did a wonderful job. Preparations before the rally were top notch and during the event itself the strategy was played out just as planned, which ultimately led to the fifth straight win. However, it was quite a disappointment to see Hiroshi Masuoka and Andrea Mayer retire with mechanical problems. I hope to take what we learned this year and make good use of it for our fight next year.
"In addition, we'll be returning to the WRC after a six-month absence. We'll start the season with the Lancer WRC05 on the Rallye Monte-Carlo, which starts on Friday, January 21. Of course, it will be difficult to set good results after such a long absence, but the team will unite as on the Dakar Rally and we'll strive to do our best."
[ 2005 Paris Dakar Summary ]
This year marked the 27th in the history of the Dakar Rally and the event, which started in Barcelona, Spain, covered a grueling 17 days of competition before reaching the finish in the Senegalese capital of Dakar. This year, the organizer opted for a classic route which took the crews from Spain, through Morocco, Mauritania, Mali and on to Senegal.
However, severe sandstorms midway through the event added to the already immense challenge and the two Marathon stages also proved to be so tough that many competitors were forced into retirement.
Comment for Stephane Peterhansel
"I was really worried on the final morning. The last competitive section was 31 kilometers and until the day before just didn't compare. But you never know what will happen on the Dakar. Now that I have finished I can relax and savor the victory. This victory really means a lot to me. Compared to last year it was more difficult to win. There was not much difference between myself and Alphand, who was in second place. We were competing to the very end. In that sense it was a highly-competitive event for me. There is no mistaking that this win was achieved through the strong support of Mitsubishi and the team. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. "
Comment from Hiroshi Masuoka
"As a member of the team I am absolutely delighted that Peterhansel was able win. I am also very happy that Mitsubishi was able to achieve its fifth straight win and 10th overall victory. Although I am disappointed that I was forced to retire due to mechanical problems, I understand that after competing for such a long time these things happen. But what really impressed me was the highly-improved performance of the Pajero / Montero Evolution this year. For me, I hope to immediately get my feelings in check and start working on next year's Dakar!"
