Shinozuka in Fresh Challenge for World Cup
with Mitsubishi in Argentina

Japanese rally ace Kenjiro Shinozuka faces a new challenge in the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies when he heads for South America in his Team PIAA Mitsubishi Ralliart Pajero/Montero Evolution for the Second Cross Country Rally of Argentina "Por las Pampas", starting on September 21. This is the first time in the World Cups history that a round has been held in South America.

The event will form the seventh round of the World Cup with Shinozuka resuming his fraught battle with arch rival Jean-Louis Schlesser. Although this will be the first time that both drivers have contested a cross country rally in the region, Shinozuka has visited Argentina before, contesting the FIA World Rally Championship round held there each year for sprint events. As usual, Shinozuka will be driving his powerful and reliable four-wheel drive Pajero/Montero, while Schlesser competes again in his specially-built buggy.
In addition to the fierce challenge from Schlesser's buggy, Shinozuka and his Mitsubishi also expect tough opposition from a wide variety of machinery including Jean Claude Reboux's Toyota, Claudio Allegranzi's Mercedes Benz, Jorge PerezÕs Toyota Land Cruiser and a Hyundai Galloper driven by Marcelo Lusianzoff. Other cars include SsanYongs, Ford Saltas, MCJ Jeeps, Nissan Terranos, Land Rover Defenders and even a Dodge Dakota.

The new Argentinean event offers a demanding and challenging route through the pampas, with a combination of twisting hill roads, river crossings and tough navigation across saline deserts. The region has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers, and while the average temperature in September is 8 degrees Celsius at night and 23 degrees during daytime, higher temperatures are expected during the rally.

The seventh round of the World Cup for Cross Country Rallies and the first to be held in Argentina starts on Monday, September 20 from Buenos Aires and finishes after five tough legs on Saturday, September 25. Each competitive section is around 500 km in length with a total competitive distance of 1,800 km in an overall route of 3,800 km.

"It is the first time to entry this Pampas Rally for me and also for the others. Although everybody has a chance to win, Mitsubishi has a lot of experience in Argentina, from WRC rounds, so I'm looking forward to driving our Pajero /Montero in Argentina," Shinozuka said.

ITINERARY