GRANADA-DAKAR 1999
Communique 8
LEG 7: TIDJIKJA - NIORO
Distance: 625 KM
Stage distance: 434 KM


NIORO, MALI,
Thursday, January 7, 1999

PRIETO FASTEST WHILE KLEINSCHMIDT FIGHTS BACK
TO SECOND FOR MITSUBISHI

The first all-female crew in history to lead the Dakar rally, Jutta Kleinschmidt and Tina Thorner, fought back to second place today on Leg 7 of the 1999 event after delays on the previous leg lost them the lead in their Mitsubishi Pajero. Kleinschmidt and Thorner now lie just 15 minutes behind the new rally leader, Jean-Louis Schlesser, who drives a buggy.

Spanish driver Miguel Prieto, co-driven by Frenchman DominiqueSerieys in Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero, was the fastest driver on the incredibly tough 434 km stage from Tidjikja to the canyons of Ayoun el Atrous, proving that his first stage win, on the 5 km opening test was no fluke. As the rally reaches Mali, Prieto lies in third place, close behind Kleinschmidt.

Overnight leader Jose Maria Servia is now 6th place overall after suffering clutch problems with his buggy. As predicted, the sand dunes near the Nega Pass claimed many victims from the 83 motorbikes, 52 cars and 22 trucks that started from Tidjukja this morning, in addition to the difficult navigation which saw many competitors get lost and lose time. As well as the searing heat, the intrepid motor sport adventurers also faced sand storms which reduced visibility.

Said Prieto's co-driver Serieys: "The navigation was extremely difficult but otherwise we had no problems and the car was fine. Many people went the wrong way at Tamchakett village."

Japanese driver and former Dakar winner Kenjiro Shinozuka was back in fifth position at the end of the leg in Nioro, Mali, although he and co-driver Henri Magne were reported to have been lost for a time after hitting the front of the field, spoiling an otherwise excellent performance in the Team Mitsubishi Oil Ralliart Pajero/Montero.

Fellow countryman Hiroshi Masuoka holds fourth in his Team Mitsubishi Oil Ralliart Pajero Sport/Montero Sport after another good day in which he was fourth fastest, guided by German navigator Andreas Schulz.

After his recent troubles, French Dakar veteran Jean-Pierre Fontenay was sixth fastest on the seventh leg, but still languishes in 14th place overall in the Team PIAA Mitsubishi Ralliart Pajero.

With such a difficult stage in terms of terrain and navigation, ex-world champion skier and Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero driver Luc Alphand still leads in T1 category for standard cars in front of the vastly experienced French expert Jean-Pierre Strugo, German Sven Quandt ,98 FIA Marathon Trophy Champion, both with Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero.

LarroqueTomorrow, Friday, January 8, 1999
LEG 8: NIORO (MALI) - BOBO DIOULASSO (BURKINA FASO)
Distance: 1000 KM
Special Stage: 460 KM

The eighth leg of the Dakar from Mali into Burkina Faso is the longest of the event, and while the stage will not be the longest, it may prove to be one of the most testing as the terrain changes from the sand and dunes of the Sahara to the African bush and its twisting tracks winding through dense vegetation. The biggest hazards for the competitors will be numerous mud holes that will catch out the unwary.

7th stage, Tidjikja-Nioro / Total 625km, SS 434km
(Thursday, January 7, 1999)