In the final and most strangely entertaining class, Vladimir Tchaguine won his third consecutive rally in full-size truck with an overall time of 68h 13m 49s. Not your average trucks, the vehicles in the Dakar truck class are basically equipment semis that carry the parts for the car and motorcycle crews, but also, partly in a need to keep up, race across the desert in their own competition. The top truck teams often pass many of the cars and bikes on the stage.
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| Vladimir Tchaguine won his third consecutive rally in full-size truck with an overall time of 68h 13m 49s. (Photo: kamazmaster.ru) |
As with every year, the 2004 Dakar was definitely full of unique surprises and challenges. From snow to sand dunes, the drivers endured the gruelling route, which had to be changed mid-race due to major security concerns. Stages 10 and 11 were cancelled because of armed security force members stopping competitors at Mauritania's border, demanding $65 from each vehicle to pass. Dakar officials believed they had taken care of the problem before the race, but word evidently hadn't reached security forces at the border. "I cut the motor, and put my hands up," Hiroshi Masuoka told French reporters. Nobody was harmed in the incident, and race
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| With one of the hardest Dakar races in years now in the books, it's time for the teams to begin training for next year. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America) |
Overall the 26th annual Paris-Dakar kept all its promises, considered by many to be one of the hardest in years. While the race itself may be over, there is no rest for the team drivers or mechanics, as they will begin training and working on the cars for the 2005 Dakar almost immediately.