08 November 2003 - 21:53 UAE Desert Challenge - Double Victory for Mitsubishi Round 8 of 2003 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies

Mitsubishi Motors Motor Sports scored a resounding victory on October 24-th, both in the UAE Marlboro Desert Challenge and the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies. Stephane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret won the event in Dubai in their Mitsubishi Pajero / Montero Evolution while the Mitsubishi Portugal crew of Carlos Sousa and Henri Magne finished fourth in an L200 Strakar and, in doing so, claimed the FIA World Cup title.

The five-day event finished at the Dubai International Marine Club after a 1934 kms total and 1462 competitive kilometres across the remotest and most inhospitable region of the Middle East.

Peterhansel hit the front on the second section through the notorious Rub Al- Khali after being delayed in soft sand during the first leg. He maintained that advantage during day three, despite losing over 15 minutes in the sand dunes to rival Jean-Louis Schlesser. Over the final day's two special stages he maintained his advantage to take victory by a winning margin of 15m 49s over runner-up Jean-Louis Schlesser.

"It was a great race for me", said Peterhansel. "I am full of praise for my team and my car. My co-driver never made one mistake all rally. I had three days with no problems and just minor delays. It was a good test for us for Dakar and now I maybe have the bad luck behind me and am looking forward to the Dakar". 
 
Sven Quandt, MMSP’s Head of Motorsport, said: "We developed the Pajero / Montero Evolution continuously over the last month and the Desert Challenge was the major test for Dakar 2004. All worked well, so I am happy with the Dubai result and very confident for the 2004 Dakar Rally". 

Mitsubishi Portugal driver Carlos Sousa drove a perfectly measured rally and finished fourth overall, more than enough to secure him his first world title. He and co-driver Henri Magne have had a hard-fought season, battling all the way with arch rival Schlesser, but a 41 point lead going into this event was always going to be a tough challenge for his rival. 

"I will probably realise in a couple of days that I won the World Cup!” said a delighted Sousa. "But this has been a team effort and I thank Mitsubishi Portugal and my mechanics. The driver is only the face at the front of the team. I owe special credit to my mechanics, because they worked through the night in Turkey and Argentina on my car. This rally was the most difficult round of the championship without doubt". 

MMSP Team Director Dominique Serieys was understandably jubilant: "I am very happy, especially for Stephane and for Carlos. Stephane had some bad luck this year and it is so good to see him smiling and on the podium in first position. Carlos drove a good race and it is excellent for Mitsubishi that we also won the World Cup".

Arch rival Jean-Louis Schlesser finished strongly after earlier delays to take second overall, ahead of the new third-placed World Champion. Belgian Gregoire de Mevius was fourth in a BMW X5. The leading local driver was seventh-placed Obaid Bin Hathboor in his Liberty Rally Team Chevrolet Tahoe. "I offer my congratulations to Cyril and Stephane for their victories and to Carlos Sousa for winning the world title for the first time," said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, chairman of organising committee.

Frenchmen Cyril Despres repeated last year's successes by claiming outright victory in the UAE Marlboro Desert Challenge. Despres' third successive win in the final round of the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship also earned him the world title on a KTM. Main rival Joan Roma retired injured at the end of the first day.

"It is fantastic for me to win the World Championship," said Despres. "I did not think that would be possible after breaking my collar bone before. It was the best Desert Challenge ever for me. A great route and a quality competition, who pushed me all the way."

MMSP factory driver Andrea Mayer completed the rally in a fine fifth overall. It is the first time Andrea has contested the event in a car and the German was able to ease the pace over today’s punishing terrain to claim a well deserved position in her diesel-powered Pajero / Montero. 

"It was a really enjoyable race for me", said Andrea. "I feel that I have adapted well to racing in a car. There was some tricky navigation today, but we made it to the finish. The car was well prepared, so I am full of optimism for the 2004 Dakar Rally". 

Spain’s Jose-Luis Monterde and co-driver Rafael Tornabell finished sixth in another Pajero / Montero, ensuring Mitsubishi took four of the top six positions in the final round of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies.

Last day's section offered two special stages. The opening 202 kms section began at Thanwaniyah. South Africa's Alfie Cox and Frenchman Luc Alphand set the fastest times in their respective FIM and FIA categories, although Alphand's recurrent clutch problems had already put him out of overall contention. Italian biker Loris Volpato crashed his Yamaha 450 heavily and sustained a rib injury.

The route then past Nahel Town and the 191.25 kms final competitive stage finished by the Emirates Road, near Jebel Ali South. In a total route of 1934 kms, 1462 kms were competitive. Mohammed Ben Sulayem flagged cars over the finish ramp at the DIMC.

This year's UAE Desert Challenge was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence.

Press Release
Mitsubishi Motors, 24 October 2003