GRANADA-DAKAR 1998
Communique 1
PROLOGUE: GRANADA
Distance: 5 KM
Stage distance: 5 KM


GRANADA,
Thursday, December 31, 1998

Shinozuka Sets The Agenda for Mitsubishi

The only Japanese driver ever to have won the famous "Dakar" Rally made clear his intentions on today's prologue test near the Spanish town of Granada by setting fastest time in his Mitsubishi Ralliart supported Team Mitsubishi Oil Pajero / Montro.

The five kilometre prologue stage held on muddy tracks bulldozed through grassy military land on the outskirts of the town is designed to set the starting order for the event and will not have any effect on the final result, but Shinozuka was delighted to win in his Pajero / Montero sending a clear signal to his rivals that he will be the man to beat on this year's gruelling 17-day rally through Africa. The result also means that he will start first on the road when the rally begins properly tomorrow.

With the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains providing a spectacular backdrop to today's action.299crew set out to do battle on the prologue including 161 motorbike riders, 88 car crews, and 50 trucks. The wether was dry and clear to begin with, clouding over later in the day, and the temperature of just seven degrees Celsius will certainly not have given the competitors much to worry about compared to the searing heat and dust they will face in the North African desert over the coming days. The tracks however were still very wet and muddy after recent rainfall, and the contestants had to navigate through deep mud and several watersplashes.

Said Shinozuka: "It was very muddy and slippery in places with plenty of standing water in places. I must have driven better than I thought to have scored the fastest time. This is very good and I am delighted to be starting the event first on the road. This is a good advantage for me."

All the Ralliart supported Mitsubishi drivers appeared very relaxed and confident at the start, which is unsurprising given Mitsubishi's amazing recent track record on this famous event. Mitsubishi Pajero / Montero driver Jean-Pierre Fontenay - last year's winner - finished joint second on the prologue in his Team PIAA Ralliart Pajero alongside arch rival Jean-Louis Schlesser's Megane buggy. Fontenay commented Today's truck condition was a little muddy, so I drove easy competitively. We are very happy with today's time and the car is supperb as usual.

In front of a crowd of over 10,000 spectators, Mitsubishis of various shapes and sizes filled six of the top 10 positions on the prologue with only the Schlesser buggies of Jean-Louis himself and Spaniard J Servia coming close. The leading eight cars were then followed by five Nissans and a lone Toyota.

Other Mitsubishi Ralliart hopefuls who did well include local Spaniard Miguel Prieto who finished fourth; another Japanese driver tipped for the top, Hiroshi Masuoka in his Mitsubishi Pajero Sport/Montero Sport, who finished sixth; and German lady star Jutta Kleinschmidt who took seventh.

Tomorrow, Friday, January 1, 1999
LEG 1: GRANADA - RABAT
Distance: 520 KM
Special Stage: 115 KM


The first proper leg of the 21st Dakar Rally will take the competitors through a "classic" special stage in the Andalucian Hills, through olive groves and twisting forest tracks. At the end of the stage they willjoin a ferry at Algeciras for the crossing to Tangier, and after a one and a half hour crossing they will face a further three hours of driving to the first overnight bivouac in Africa in the Moroccan town of Rabat.

GRANADA-DAKAR - Thursday, December 31, 1998

*The time, under 2nd position is the difference from the top.