09 Dakar is turning out to be the worst so far for Mitsubishi, Peterhansel stopped with broken engine in Stage 7

10:41 - Car
300 - Peterhansel on fire!

Due to a fire in the engine of his Mitsubihsi Racing Lancer, Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel, the title holder, has stopped after 57 km of the day’s special. The driver and co-pilot have managed to put the fire out, but do not know if they will be able to set off again.

11:15 - Car
300 - “Peter” still having problems

After a fire in the engine of his Mitsubishi after 57 km, Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel reached the 91-km mark on the day’s special 10.40 behind the provisional leader, Spaniard Carlos Sainz. The title holder had to stop again after 80 km due to his engine overheating.

13:00 - Car
300 - Breakdown for “Peter”!

After a fire in his engine at the beginning of the day, then overheating problems, the title holder, Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel (Mitsubihsi) is currently halted on the special stage, due to a broken engine and is waiting to have his car towed out of the timed section. This could be the second abandon due to mechanical problems for the Frenchman, 9 times winner of the event and who is taking part in the Dakar for the 20th time.

-ASO

At this point, the frenchman's hope is dashed and retirement is imminent. In stage 5 he flipped his car, but that's a lucky escape because the guys at at the bivouac was able to fix the vehicle in time and Peterhansel is only awarded a 15min penalty for missing a check point.

As it things unravel in Stage 7, it is highly unlikely that Stephane is going to restart tomorrow. If he ever does, he is going to incur a heavy penalty. Engine overheating has caused some big name retirements for the 09 Dakar. Nasser Al-Attiyah retired yesterday from overheating problems too. Looking at the stage profile for today, it's easy to see why. Towards the end of the stage the elevation just keeps rising, from 500m above sea level to 3100m towards the end of the stage.



Nani Roma and Lucas Cruz have had a relatively good run so far. Hopefully they will finish the race. If all goes well for Nani, a 13th victory for Mitsubishi is still possible. It is just so unusual for the defending champion team to lose 3 of 4 cars even before the Rest Day tomorrow. Until then, we wait for the official press release from Mitsubishi.

-rcpax