GRANADA-DAKAR 1999
Communique 7
LEG 6: ATAR - TIDJIKJA
Distance: 493 KM
Stage distance: 458 KM


TIDJIKJA, MAURITANIA,
Wednesday, January 6, 1999

KLEINSCHMIDT STILL IN CONTENTION
WHILE ALPHAND CONTROLS STANDARD CLASS FOR MITSUBISHI

After making history by leading the 1999 Granada-Dakar Rally for three days, the event's most successful female crew, Jutta Kleinschmidt of Germany and Tina Thorner of Sweden, dropped to third after Leg 6 in their Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero. The Mitsubishi girls are still in close contention however, just 14m 19s behind Spain's Jose Maria Servia, who moved into the lead at Tidjikja, Mauritania, in his Schlesser Megane Buggy, after setting fastest time on the section.

In the T1 class for standard cars, French world ski champion Luc Alphand put in a tremendous drive to keep his lead in the category in his Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero, just ahead of fellow Mitsubishi driver, Frenchman Jean-Francois Guinot.

With over 100km of dune crossings everyone was prepared for yet another very tough day in the Saharan desert. Temperatures soared although the sky was partly overcast, and with some very rough tracks interspersed with deep, soft sand, luck was always going to play a major part in the sixth leg results.

Despite her misfortunes today, Kleinschmidt was still in defiant mood when she admitted: "It was a very tough day, and I was very relieved to get to the finish. But the difference between me and Servia in first place is just 14 minutes which I don't think is a problem to catch up again. When you're fighting to win it is never easy."

Kleinschimdt is just seven minutes behind second placed buggy driver Jean-Louis Schlesser, while Spaniard Miguel Prieto's storming drive through today's arduous 458 km stage put further pressure on the buggies as his Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero now lies close behind in fourth position.

Japanese driver Kenjiro Shinozuka suffered more misfortune on the sixth leg, dropping to sixth overall in his Team Mitsubishi Oil Ralliart Pajero/Montero which ran out of fuel 60 kms from the finish. Luckily, Jean-Pierre Fontenay stopped to help in his Team PIAA Mitsubishi Ralliart Pajero/Montero, and sacrificed his rally to give Shinozuka 20 litres of fuel so he could reach the finish.

Fellow Japanese driver Hiroshi Masuoka moved to fifth position in the Team Ralliart Pajero Sport/Montero Sport, but only after a difficult day when he encountered clutch problems after sand leaked into the gearbox.

Tomorrow, Thursday, January 7, 1999
LEG 7: TIDJIKJA - NIORO (MALI)
Distance: 625 KM
Special Stage: 434 KM


Tomorrow sees the Dakar Rally move into Mali after another tough stage in Mauritania. After he first 100 km of the competitive section the survivors will cross the Nega Pass, before moving on to a hard section for navigation for about 100 kms. The second half of the section will feature sandy tracks before the spectacular scenery of Ayoun el Atrous, where the competitive section will finish among the Colorado-type rocks and Canyons, before the final liaison drive across the border into Mali.

6th stage, Atar-Tidjikja / Total 492km, SS 458km
(Wednesday, January 6, 1999)