GRANADA-DAKAR 1999
Communique 6
LEG 5: BIR MOGREIN - ATAR
Distance: 630 KM
Stage distance: 625 KM


ATAR, MAURITANIA,
Tuesday, January 5, 1999

SHINOZUKA FIGHTS BACK AS KLEINSCHMIDT INCREASES LEAD

The battle for the lead in the 1999 Granada - Dakar Rally intensified today on the longest, hottest leg of the event so far. Despite three punctures, German lady driver Jutta Kleinschmidt and her Swedish co-driver Tina Thorner increased their lead in their Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero, while Japanese ace Kenjiro Shinozuka scored the fastest time of the day in his Team Mitsubishi Oil Pajero/Montero to move up to fourth position overall.

Leg 5 of the Dakar was undoubtedly the toughest and hottest so far, with temperatures in the Saharan sand dunes reaching 28 degrees Celsius as the Mitsubishis, Schlesser Megane Buggies and Nissans raced across the desert, swapping the lead several times on varying terrain until the Shinozuka and Kleinschmidt broke free to dominate the section. The leading Mitsubishi crews reached Atar relieved but exhausted having retaken the initiative after a strong early morning attack from the buggies.

In the cooler temperatures of the early morning start 137 motorbikes, 81 cars and 21 trucks set off in spectacular in-line waves together, rather than the more usual one minute intervals. Initially, the buggies driven by second and third-placed crews Jose Maria Servia and Jean-Louis Schlesser hit the front on the fast, open desert section. In defence, the Mitsubishis driven by Kleinschmidt,Shinozuka,Hiroshi Masuoka and Miguel Prieto grouped together for mutual support, but as soon as they hit the sandy dunes between 177 km and 340 km, the four-wheel drive Mitsubishis were immediately superior and the attack from the two-wheel drive buggies faded rapidly.

Even though she was third fastest and actually increased her overall lead, Kleinschmidt was relieved to reach the finish after three potentially disastrous punctures. She reported: "It was very difficult, but our tyre-deflating system worked well in the sand dunes. But with three punctures, I was very worried. The last one was just 10 km from the end of the stage. But I am happy to take another three and a half minutes from the Schlesser buggies despite these difficulties."

Shinozuka said: "I'm very happy. It was a very good day to make a comeback and close within three minutes of Schlesser - and I only had one puncture today!"

Spanish driver Prieto, who was second fastest behind Shinozuka and moved up to seventh ahead of Salvador Servia's Nissan, reported: "I'm very happy with the car. We had one puncture but I have moved ahead of the Nissan."

Pre-rally favourite Jean-Pierre Fontenay, driving the Team PIAA Mitsubishi Ralliart Pajero/Montero, had another day of terribly bad luck, losing even more time and arriving late at Atar. At the mass start, a stone flew up from another competitor and smashed his windscreen. He had to stop and clear the glass before driving the entire leg with no screen. He also suffered punctures, and was delayed when a water hose came loose. Fontenay was just 15th fastest and finished the leg in 13th place overall.

Hiroshi Masuoka did well to fend off the attacks from Nissan, and brought his Team Ralliart Pajero Sport/Montero Sport home in fifth place ahead of rival Thierry De Lavergne in sixth.

In the T1 category, French World Ski champion Luc Alphand re-established his lead driving his standard production Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero, setting an impressive 11th fastest overall on the stage. The overnight leader, Jean-Francois Guinot, also driving a Pajero/Montero, dropped to second place in the class.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 6, 1999
LEG 6: ATAR - TIDJIKJA
Distance: 493 KM
Special Stage: 458 KM


Although the sixth leg between Atar and Tidjikja will be shorter than Leg 5's epic section, it should prove just as tough. Many of the more experienced competitors will undoubtedly be pleased to reacquaint themselves with the magnificent scenery of the first 100 km used on previous events, but the rest of the section will be 100% new, with navigation playing an important role as they struggle through 100 km of difficult dune crossings. The stage finishes on relatively fast though twisty tracks which will take them to Tidjikja.

5th stage, Bir Mogrein-Atar / Total 629km, SS 624km
(Tuesday, January 5, 1999)