30 October-LEG1

Abu-Dhabi --- Rub Al-Khali
Spesical Stage 313.5km
Total 661km

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart gave the new Pajero Evolution/Montero Evolution its world competition debut today (Wednesday) across the sands of the UAE, at the start of the UAE Marlboro Desert Challenge, the final round of the FIA World Cup.

Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution / Montero Evolution Team Mitsubishi Ralliart S. Peterhansel / J. P. Cottret (Photo: LEG1)

In searing outside temperatures approaching 35 degrees Centigrade, Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel was fastest over the opening 313 kms special stage from Hameem to the east of Liwa and has a 6m 56s advantage at the overnight halt over team mate Hiroshi Masuoka.

It was a dramatic opening day for Japanese driver Masuoka, the winner of this year's Arras-Madrid-Dakar Rally. He rolled the new car 100 kms into the stage and lost any chance of following Peterhansel into the stage finish.

Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution / Montero Evolution Team Mitsubishi Ralliart H. Masuoka / A. Schulz (Photo: LEG1)

"I was going well. No problem," said Masuoka. "Then I came across two humps in the track and the back of the car jumped in the air and we went over. The car landed on its roof. It was not too fast and only the roof and bodywork is damaged. But we lost some time and then I collected a flat tyre. Maybe I have better luck tomorrow."

Stéphane Peterhansel was better pleased with his day's performance in the second of the new Evolutions. "I didn't really push in the stage," admitted the Frenchman, a six-times winner of the Dakar on a motorcycle. "It is my first time out, yes, but I have a good feeling about this car, a very good feeling... I have plenty in reserve."

It was a superb day for Team Mitsubishi Ralliart. Mitsubishis filled five of the top seven places, with the UAE's Khalifa Al-Motaiwi's Nissan Pick-Up the leading non-Mitsubishi in third overall. Frenchman Jean-Pierre Fontenay held fourth place, Miki Biasion was fifth on his first ever event for the Japanese team and Portugal's Carlos Sousa was seventh in the L200 Strakar behind Luc Alphand's BMW X5.

Mitsubishi Pajero / Montero Team Mitsubishi Ralliart J. P. Fontenay / G. Picard (Photo: LEG1)

"It was nice to drive a competitive car in the desert for the first time," said Biasion. "I learned a lot today. I have to pace myself and not drive too fast."

Thursday's second stage action heads into the Western Deserts of the notorious Rub Al-Khali (The Empty Quarter), where teams are likely to face the first tricky dune complexes of this year's event - in temperatures which are likely to top 37 degrees Centigrade in the heat of the mid-day sun.