In its fifth year, the Mitsubishi Pajero entered the 9th Paris - Algiers - Dakar as one of the strongest contenders with, at this stage, an established history of success. Backed by Nikon and Citizen, long-term partners of Mitsubishi in off-road rallying, the two teams of official Mitsubishi Pajeros set off from Paris with high hopes backed by the faith held in the Pajero as the King of the Desert. Cowan and Syers were again present as the leading entry with Riga and Maingret, and Da Silva and Oligo. A further 54 Pajeros were entered, including some names that were fast becoming familiar in "Dakar" folklore such as Jean-Pierre Fontenay, and Japanese star Kenjiro Shinozuka, who at this time was better known for his amazing exploits in World Championship "sprint" rallying. The event provided yet another epic battled as the cars, trucks and motorbikes battled for supremacy in the desert of  13,000 km with 18 competitive sections totalling a massive 8,300 km. Again the rally traversed the toughest terrain in the world under searing sun and high temperatures, crossing the Sahara, the infamous Tenere and the African Savannah of central and Western Africa. It was an awesome challenge, and not one to be undertaken lightly. The Mitsubishi Pajeros were often the front runners, especially da Silva who ran as high as third against the stiffest opposition witnessed. But once again, the the toughest and most telling class of all, the Marathon category - the proving ground for the "real" standard machine, the Pajero totally dominated. The prototype version held their own but victory would have to wait for another year as Shinozuka finished an incredible third overall and top Mitsubishi, making his mark as one of the world's best and most rounded and experienced drivers. Cowan, the old master, was eighth.
FINAL CLASSIFICATION1987 Paris - Alger - Dakar Rally
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Copyright 1996,1997 by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.
