2001 Paris-Dakar / Daily Report

Mitsubishi Pajero / Montero
Team Nisseki Mitsubishi Ralliart
K. Shinozuka / F. Gallagher

The leading Mitsubishis in this year’s Paris-Dakar Rally are well-positioned as the event heads south through France and towards Spain and Morocco. Over the 30 km spectator special at Chateau Lastours, the second competitive section of the event, Japan’s Hiroshi Masuoka, navigated by Frenchman Pascal Maimon, was the fastest of the Pajero/Montero drivers finishing second quickest to stage winner and rally leader Jean-Louis Schlesser in a buggy.

On the spectator specials in France, getting through the stages without serious time delay is the main objective, rather than winning stages. Miguel Prieto from Spain was the only top Mitsubishi driver to lose significant time when a puncture delayed him by five minutes. "I don’t know how we got it", he admitted. Even that may not have much bearing on the result, which will undoubtedly be decided somewhere in Africa.

Mitsubishi Pajero / Montero Evolution
Team Nisseki Mitsubishi Ralliart
H. Masuoka / P. Maimon

Japanese driver Kenjiro Shinozuka, co-driven by Britain’s Fred Gallagher, was third fastest after a trouble-free run across the twisting, sinuous course familiar to many top drivers as it is a popular Dakar testing venue. However, this is the first time Chateau Lastours has been used on the Dakar since 1998.

The weather was warmer and drier than at the start in Paris, but thick fog shrouded the higher sections which caused most of the drivers to treat the section with caution.

Shinozuka said: "This time the course is not too slippery and I enjoyed the driving. Always we were at the same speed. I attack, always attack".

Masuoka had been a bit more cautious and reported: "Today in some places, it was very difficult because of the fog. Very thick fog at the top and difficult to see. I know this course from testing here. It was very slippery in places but good. "

Portuguese driver Carlos Sousa did reasonably well despite a small teething problem with his Mitsubishi, as he explained: "I think it was a good special but I have a little problem, the intercom wire came apart, so we think it’s best to stop and connect them. There was much fog at the top but this was the same for everybody so I think I have made a good time". Despite this, he was fifth fastest and very much in touch with the leaders.

Mitsubishi L200
Team Mitsubishi Portugal
C. Sousa / J.M. Polato

Jutta Kleinschmidt of Germany was less bothered about the result that most, although she was ninth fastest today. "The beginning and the end were very nice, but at the top we could see absolutely nothing because of the fog. It is not worth risking everything in these conditions because you only make up a few seconds", she said.

Always a favorite with the crowds and other competitors, Jean-Pierre Fontenay was relaxed and beaming his broad French grin as usual at the end of the stage, commenting: "I did my best to keep the spectators entertained!"

Brazilian Klever Kolberg, driving a Diesel Class Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero added: "Everything so far is very good. I have not too much experience in this car, but the car is excellent, I am very pleased".

After today’s 560km run through France to Castellon, the remaining competitors in the Paris-Dakar will strike south again tomorrow towards Almeria along the Eastern edge of Spain. There will be a short 5 km stage outside Castellon on a specially created course on the Beach. From there, they will head south to the ferry at Almeria which will carry them on to the African continent where the real action will take place.

Leg 2 - Narbonne - Castellon
SS 2 - 30.00 km - Tuesday 2 January

Times on SS 2
1	J.L.SCHLESSER H.MAGNE	SCHLESSER BUGGY RENAULT MEGANE	30.33.0
2	H.MASUOKA P.MAIMON	MITSUBISHI PAJERO / MONTERO	30.44.0	+11.0
3	K.SHINOZUKA F.GALLAGHER	MITSUBISHI PAJERO / MONTERO	31.12.0	+39.0
4	J.M.SERVIA J.M.LURQUIN	SCHLESSER BUGGY RENAULT MEGANE	31.27.0	+54.0
5	C.SOUSA J.M.POLATO	MITSUBISHI L200 STRAKAR	31.30.0	+57.0
6	T.DELAVERGNE J.DUBOIS	NISSAN TERRANO	31.33.0	+1.00.0
7	G.DE MEVIUS A.GUEHENNEC	NISSAN TERRANO	31.39.0	+1.06.0
8	J.P.FONTENAY G.PICARD	MITSUBISHI PAJERO / MONTERO	31.47.0	+1.14.0
9	J.KLEINSCHMIDT A.SCHULZ	MITSUBISHI PAJERO / MONTERO	32.00.0	+1.27.0
10	G.MARCY J.P.COTTRET	TOYOTA	32.15.0	+1.42.0
11	H.PESCAROLO S.DE LIEDEKERKE	NISSAN TERRANO	32.32.0	+1.59.0
12	C.LE DUC R.TORNABELL	KIA	32.43.0	+2.10.0
13	M.PLAZA-PEREZ E.GONZALES	NISSAN NAVARA	32.45.0	+2.12.0
14	L.ALPHAND A.DEBRON	SCHLESSER RENAULT KANGOO	33.01.0	+2.28.0
15	N.BARKAT E.BARKAT	MITSUBISHI PAJERO / MONTERO	33.03.0	+2.30.0
16	S.HENRARD J.M.MARTINEZ	VOLKSWAGEN BUGGY	33.06.0	+2.33.0
=17	B.SABY T.DELLI ZOTI	FORD RANGER PROTRUCK	33.19.0	+2.46.0
=17	S.PETERHANSEL W.ALCARAZ	NISSAN TERRANO	33.19.0	+2.46.0
19	J.RIVIERE P.FOURTICQ	NISSAN	33.25.0	+2.52.0
20	J.F.GUINOT M.KROISS	NISSAN TERRANO	33.31.0	+2.58.0

Overall after SS 2
1	J.L.SCHLESSER H.MAGNE	SCHLESSER BUGGY RENAULT MEGANE	34.18.0
2	H.MASUOKA P.MAIMON	MITSUBISHI PAJERO / MONTERO	34.32.0	+14.0
3	K.SHINOZUKA F.GALLAGHER	MITSUBISHI PAJERO / MONTERO	35.00.0	+42.0
4	J.M.SERVIA J.M.LURQUIN	SCHLESSER BUGGY RENAULT MEGANE	35.10.0	+52.0
5	C.SOUSA J.M.POLATO	MITSUBISHI L200 STRAKAR	35.22.0	+1.04.0
6	G.DE MEVIUS A.GUEHENNEC	NISSAN TERRANO	35.31.0	+1.13.0
7	T.DELAVERGNE J.DUBOIS	NISSAN TERRANO	35.36.0	+1.18.0
8	J.P.FONTENAY G.PICARD	MITSUBISHI PAJERO / MONTERO	35.38.0	+1.20.0
9	J.KLEINSCHMIDT A.SCHULZ	MITSUBISHI PAJERO / MONTERO	35.51.0	+1.33.0
10	G.MARCY J.P.COTTRET	TOYOTA	36.34.0	+2.16.0
11	H.PESCAROLO S.DE LIEDEKERKE	NISSAN TERRANO	36.43.0	+2.25.0
12	C.LE DUC R.TORNABELL	KIA	36.50.0	+2.32.0
13	M.PLAZA-PEREZ E.GONZALES	NISSAN NAVARA	36.51.0	+2.33.0
14	L.ALPHAND A.DEBRON	SCHLESSER RENAULT KANGOO	36.58.0	+2.40.0
=15	N.BARKAT E.BARKAT	MITSUBISHI PAJERO / MONTERO	37.11.0	+2.53.0
=15	S.HENRARD J.M.MARTINEZ	VOLKSWAGEN BUGGY	37.11.0	+2.53.0
17	B.SABY T.DELLI ZOTI	FORD RANGER PROTRUCK	37.17.0	+2.59.0
18	S.PETERHANSEL W.ALCARAZ	NISSAN TERRANO	37.26.0	+3.08.0
19	J.F.GUINOT M.KROISS	NISSAN TERRANO	37.42.0	+3.24.0
20	J.RIVIERE P.FOURTICQ	NISSAN	37.49.0	+3.31.0