irishcar.com

15 January 2002: Japan’s Hiroshi Masuoka secured his dream inaugural victory of the World’s toughest off-road rally event – the 5,858 mile, 17 day Arras – Madrid – Dakar Rally. For Mitsubishi, it was a record seventh Dakar victory and Mitsubishi models filled the top eight places.

The rally which culminated in a final leg to Dakar around the Rose Lake saw Masuoka finish 13th in the final leg behind his closest rival for the 2002 title, last year’s winner, German Jutta Kleinschmidt. Masuoka finished the 24th Dakar rally with an outstanding 22 minute lead, a victory made even more impressive due to the uncharacteristic wet muddy stages through France and Spain, and the ever unpredictable conditions in the African Savannah. Fellow Japanese driver Kenjiro Shonozuka finished in third place.

"It is a dream come true for me to win this race", said Masuoka. "After the disappointment last year I was devastated. It was a hard race, very tiring and quite physical. I feel fantastic now!"

Team-mate and last year’s winner Jutta Kleinschmidt won two stages on her way to her second place and even threatened Masuoka’s overall advantage on the penultimate stage. She said; "Of course, I would have liked to win, but I had many problems this year. I broke my transmission twice and we lost one hour repairing the damage. With that it is impossible to win. I suppose second place is not too bad under the circumstances. Last year Hiroshi suffered an agonising final day and I’m delighted for him this time."

Mitsubishi dominated the leader board with the top eight places won by six Shogun’s and two L200 Pick-Ups. Frenchman Luc Alphand, the 1997 World Downhill skiing champion capped a superb all-round performance for the Japanese marque by winning the Super Production diesel class in his Shogun/Pajero. He finished seventh overall.

The 5,858 mile rally began in the cold and blustery Northern French town of Arras on December 28th and passed through France, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal en route to the traditional finish by the Rose Lake in Dakar yesterday (Sunday). A capacity entry list of 167 bikes, 117 cars and and 34 trucks set out from Arras. Only 53 bikes, 45 cars and 15 trucks completed the 17-day route.

Stefan Jacoby, President of Mitsubishi Motors Europe said; "I am so pleased and proud of the tremendous achievements of Mitsubishi this year at the 2002 Arras-Madrid-Dakar. Works team and private entries, drivers and co-drivers, Shogun/Pajero and L200. All deserve respect and warm congratulations from our Corporation.

"Even more so as sporting spirit is indeed in the genes of Mitsubishi. Just as we race the Shoguns/Pajeros, L200s and Lancer Evolutions we sell, the very same words of speed, passion, commitment and teamwork drive our motorsports efforts and our Corporation."