Summary (1983 - Paris - Algiers - Dakar)
The 1983 Dakar, which covered 10,000 km from 1 - 20 January, demanded
a special kind of machine. On its way through Central Africa and across to the
west coast of the magnificent continent, the drivers faced every obstacle imaginable,
from stony tracks to the open, sandy Sahara. For Mitsubishi,
the choice of vehicle for this epic high-speed journey through Africa
was very simple: the Pajero - with its powerful engine and its astonishingly rugged
four-wheel drive, it was the highlight of the high-performance off-roaders. The Pajero had debuted
in Japan only a year earlier. It was entered in the 5th running of the Paris - Algiers - Dakar in
standard trim, probably the greatest challenge for a road vehicle
with only minor modifications. By day ten, Andrew Cowan and Colin Malkin
had found their way to the top of the production and marathon class, and the eyes
of the competition rested on Mitsubishi as
the newcomers stole the show from everyone. Sandstorms, rocks and extreme
heat could do little to stop the steadfast Pajero, and although the
Pajero ran in the marathon class, which meant that only very little on the car could be changed or
modified, the Pajero rumbled home victorious. In the end,
Cowan and Debussy, who piloted the second car, together with their Sonauto/Yamaha
team, accepted the team prize, making the Pajero's first Dakar
the greatest possible success.
Final Standings
|
Position
|
Start No.
|
Driver
|
Manufacturer
|
Overall Time
|
|
1.
|
142
|
Ickx
|
Mercedes 280GE
|
13.07.48
|
|
2.
|
157
|
Trossat
|
Lada
|
+ 00.07.10
|
|
3.
|
158
|
Lartigue
|
Range Rover
|
+ 01.09.00
|
|
4.
|
234
|
Sarrazin
|
Range Rover
|
+ 06.13.49
|
|
5.
|
165
|
Simbille
|
Mercedes 280GE
|
+ 06.55.48
|
|
6.
|
153
|
Colsoul
|
Mercedes 280GE
|
+ 09.16.36
|
|
7.
|
272
|
Ratet
|
Toyota FJ40
|
+ 09.41.40
|
|
8.
|
167
|
Plangon
|
Mercedes 280GE
|
+ 10.36.43
|
|
9.
|
150
|
Marreau
|
Renault 18
|
+ 10.32.12
|
|
10.
|
160
|
Kurrer
|
Portaro
|
+ 11.58.36
|
Route
|
Start - Finish
|
Length
|
|
Gremuses
|
3.6km
|
|
Les Guarrigues
|
10km
|
|
Algiers - Touggourt
|
771km
|
|
Touggourt - Ouargla
|
171km
|
|
Ouargla - Chebaba
|
239km
|
|
Chebaba - Bordj - Omar Driss
|
429km
|
|
Bordj Omar Driss - Illizi
|
320km
|
|
Illizi-Djanet
|
401km
|
|
Djanet-Chirfa
|
532km
|
|
Chirfa-Dirkou
|
532km
|
|
Dirkou-Agadez
|
617km
|
|
Agadez-In Gall
|
115km
|
|
Nara-Timbreda
|
162km
|
|
Timbreda - Kiffa
|
Liaison
|
|
Kiffa-Kaedi
|
307km
|
|
Kaedi - Tiougoune
|
470km
|
|
Tiougoune - Dakar
|
130km
|