After Mitsubishi's official withdrawal from rally-raids, Volkswagen seems to be the only contender for victory at the next Dakar Rally experience, planed for January 1st to 17th, from Argentina to Chile. Privately owned BMWs are the only ones that could cause surprise.
After 10 years of Mitsubishi domination, Volkwagen finaly took over his rival in 2009 as Giniel de Villiers won.
The German manufacturer is increasing its chances of victory in 2010 with the absence of Mitsubishi, who whithdraw along with many other Japanese manufacturers in the past year (Honda, Toyota and Bridgestone in Formula 1, Subaru and Suzuki in Rally).
Mitsubishi Lancers will take the start of the 2010 edition however, thanks to a private owner, but hey should not be candidate to victory.
Volkwagen will align five Touareg in Buenos Aires (De Villiers, Sainz, Miller, Al Attiyah and Neves). They will compete against a couple of BMW X5. Stéphane Peterhansel, who used to drive a Mitsubishi, and Guerlain Chicherit, winner de the 2008 rally-raid, will be driving one of those.
Unweary Robby Gordon will also participate to the annual event with his team composed of two Hummers. It is very possible that they invite themselves upfront.
Still, after Golden years, the Dakar seems to have lost most of its lust. The worlds’ financial crisis did not spare the event and Mitsubishi’s lost is strongly felt. The manufacturer cumulated nothing less than victories over the last 10 years.
The Dakar Rally also suffers from his exil away from roots in Africa. The 2008 edition had to be cancelled as the political climate made it dangerous for drivers to compete in Mauritania.
South America is now the host of the annual event for a second year in a row, but The Dakar could certainly use a “back-to-source” type of resourcing. It would have to be under assurance that the secure environment will be maintained.
Although South America is beautiful, the lust of Africa cannot be replaced, which is why the organisers are looking around for other possible locations. An event similar to the Silk Road Rally, which goes in hidden Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkménistan roads, is one that its competitors loved. It could be an option.
After 10 years of Mitsubishi domination, Volkwagen finaly took over his rival in 2009 as Giniel de Villiers won.
The German manufacturer is increasing its chances of victory in 2010 with the absence of Mitsubishi, who whithdraw along with many other Japanese manufacturers in the past year (Honda, Toyota and Bridgestone in Formula 1, Subaru and Suzuki in Rally).
Mitsubishi Lancers will take the start of the 2010 edition however, thanks to a private owner, but hey should not be candidate to victory.
Volkwagen will align five Touareg in Buenos Aires (De Villiers, Sainz, Miller, Al Attiyah and Neves). They will compete against a couple of BMW X5. Stéphane Peterhansel, who used to drive a Mitsubishi, and Guerlain Chicherit, winner de the 2008 rally-raid, will be driving one of those.
Unweary Robby Gordon will also participate to the annual event with his team composed of two Hummers. It is very possible that they invite themselves upfront.
Still, after Golden years, the Dakar seems to have lost most of its lust. The worlds’ financial crisis did not spare the event and Mitsubishi’s lost is strongly felt. The manufacturer cumulated nothing less than victories over the last 10 years.
The Dakar Rally also suffers from his exil away from roots in Africa. The 2008 edition had to be cancelled as the political climate made it dangerous for drivers to compete in Mauritania.
South America is now the host of the annual event for a second year in a row, but The Dakar could certainly use a “back-to-source” type of resourcing. It would have to be under assurance that the secure environment will be maintained.
Although South America is beautiful, the lust of Africa cannot be replaced, which is why the organisers are looking around for other possible locations. An event similar to the Silk Road Rally, which goes in hidden Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkménistan roads, is one that its competitors loved. It could be an option.