Press Release

MITSUBISHI PAJERO WINS 2005 DAKAR

Mitsubishi Motors claims record-breaking 5th consecutive Dakar Victory and 10th overall win
Peterhansel takes Dakar honors for second time
Alphand second overall in debut Dakar outing with Mitsubishi
Dream one-two finish and three Pajero / Montero Evolutions in the top six

Mitsubishi Motors Repsol ATS Studios Team
Stéphane Peterhansel/ Jean-Paul Cottret

Mitsubishi Motors made history again by becoming the first team on record to win FIVE consecutive Dakar Rallies and claim 10 overall victories in what is considered to be the toughest and most demanding cross country event in the world.

The Pajero / Montero Evolution crew of Stéphane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret claimed their second victory behind the wheel of Mitsubishi’s dominant machinery, while team-mates Luc Alphand and Gilles Picard finished close on their heels in a fine second overall.
Joan ’Nani’ Roma, who was competing in the event for the first time in a car, finished an impressive sixth with co-driver Henri Magne in the Mitsubishi Motors Repsol ATS Studios team’s third Pajero / Montero Evolution.

"I am very proud of the hard work put in by the entire team", said Isao Torii, President of Mitsubishi Motors Motor Sports. "When I visited Atâr at the half-way point I saw the appalling working conditions the whole team has faced and it is a testament to their determination that we have achieved this superb success".

Neither Peterhansel nor Alphand made any effort to outpace their rivals over today’s short 31 competitive kilometer stage, both Mitsubishi Pajero / Montero Evolution crews with nearly three hours in hand to third-placed Jutta Kleinschmidt.
Peterhansel finished the stage around the Lac Rose in 11th position while Alphand was just one second adrift in 12th.

The pair arrived in an emotional and highly-impressive one-two formation at the finish of this 8,956 kilometer and 16-leg event that was fought out over 5,431 competitive kilometers.

"I was very nervous this morning", said Dakar victor Peterhansel. "It was only a small stage, but it is never easy and anything can and sometimes does happen. This is a big victory for me. It was harder than last year. The race was difficult and the difference between myself and Luc was much smaller than my winning margin last year. That shows it was a great race right to the end".

Second-placed Luc Alphand added: "I have a fantastic feeling! The team was perfect; I am working with the best in the world. The goal was a podium, but this is the biggest second position of my life. The work level and professionalism of everyone has been astonishing".

Team Director of the most successful manufacturer in Dakar history concluded: "It is a fantastic feeling of pride and achievement for me and the entire team. I felt quite emotional at the finish to see our team in first and second positions. It was a tough race, held in very difficult circumstances, and we have now achieved that magic figure of 10 wins on the Dakar and are now unbeaten on this race in the last five years".

In the 27-year history of the world’s most famous off-road rally no manufacturer of cars, bikes and trucks can match the Japanese company’s winning record.
Joan ’Nani’ Roma, piloting the team’s third Pajero / Montero Evolution, finished his first Dakar Rally on four wheels in a fine sixth overall.

"For me to finish sixth is a pleasing achievement", said Roma, last year’s winner in the bike category. ’It was my first Dakar with the Mitsubishi team and I hope that this was the start of a successful new career with the team".

Akira Kijima, Managing Director and Head of Product Operations for Mitsubishi Motors and responsible for motor sport activities, said: "Mitsubishi Motors’ involvement in motor sport is not merely a promotional activity, but is really at the heart of the Mitsubishi Motors brand. We feed the technology and know-how gained from our various motor sport activities directly into all our cars, also giving them a sporty spirit and desirable image. Through motor sport, our production vehicles therefore not only have improved durability and safety, but 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 participation in motor sport. We intend to strengthen these activities and, in so doing, raise the value of the Mitsubishi Motors brand".
Like every other team contesting the Dakar, Mitsubishi also suffered disappointment on route to its 10th victory. Japanese driver Hiroshi Masuoka, twice winner of the Dakar, had been one of the pre-event favorites, but he and German co-driver Andreas Schulz were withdrawn from the race in Atâr after delays cost them valuable time. The team took what proved to be the right decision to concentrate resources on its surviving cars.

Germany’s Andrea Mayer and French co-driver Jean-Michel Polato - the team’s rapid support crew - were also forced out after a stone damaged the crankshaft sensor in their Mitsubishi L200 Pick-Up. Polato attempted to repair the damage, but team management reached the decision to withdraw the car from the race in Atar rather than overstretch support resources.

The 2005 Telefónica Dakar Rally began in Barcelona, Spain, on New Year’s Eve and included 15 competitive sections in five countries.

The Mitsubishi Pajero / Montero Evolution crews claimed victory in five of the stages, Peterhansel winning four with Alphand taking the fastest time through the Tidjikja to Atâr section (Leg 9).

Mitsubishi’s long experience of cross country competition came to the forefront once again. Five successive victories and 10 overall victories is testament to the strength, durability and endurance of the all-conquering Mitsubishi Pajero / Montero Evolution.