Once again in 1984, the Paris - Algiers - Dakar presented yet another magnificent challenge, this time with over 11,000 km of the most arduous driving terrain to be found in the world. The compact, nimble and durable Mitsubishi Pajero, prepared and entered by French preparation concern Sonauto, was entered in production-modified class this time, with minimal modifications to its engine and suspension, for 'Marathon Man' Andrew Cowan. Although at two years old one of the youngest types of vehicle to be entered in the event, it was chosen by no less than 11 competing crews who had been impressed by its debut the season before. From the Place de la Concorde in Paris,  the teams of Mitsubishi Pajeros set out with high hopes, from Europe, crossing the Mediterranean to Africa before blasting through Algeria and on to Nigeria with a long haul through the depths of the Sahara desert. The infamous Tenere desert, on the eastern side of the Sahara, would play a big part in the outcome, famed for its ferocious sand storms and a myriad of natural hazards. Amazingly, Cowan was never troubled by his Pajero. The legendary reliability of Mitsubishi had transferred well to the Pajero, and despite its youth as a motor vehicle, it had little trouble in coping with the world's most terrifying motoring conditions. Even against highly modified, specially prepared desert racing machines, the slightly modified Pajero held its own. A clear winner in its class, Cowan drove the Mitsubishi Pajero home in third place overall, beating many of the specialist sports machines such as Jacky Ickx's Porsche. It was another great moment for Cowan and his Mitsubishi Pajero, which was by now gaining a reputation as one of the greatest all-terrain machines in cross country raids in only its second year of competition.
FINAL CLASSIFICATION1984 Paris - Alger - Dakar Rally
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Copyright 1996,1997 by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.
