2008 Dakar Cancelled!! See you in 2009.

Lisbon, Friday the 4th of January 2008
A.S.O. cancels the 2008 edition of the Dakar rally

After different exchanges with the French government - in particular the Ministry for Foreign Affairs - , and based on their firm recommendations, the organisers of the Dakar have taken the decision to cancel the 2008 edition of the rally, scheduled from the 5th to the 20th of January between Lisbon and Senegal’s capital.

Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 24th of December linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, but also and mainly the direct threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organisations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by A.S.O.

A.S.O.’s first responsibility is to guarantee the safety of all: that of the populations in the countries visited, of the amateur and professional competitors, of the technical assistance personnel, of the journalists, partners and rally collaborators. A.S.O. therefore reaffirms that the choice of security is not, has never been and will never be a subject of compromise at the heart of the Dakar rally.

A.S.O. condemns the terrorist menace that annihilates a year of hard work, engagement and passion for all the participants and the different actors of the world’s biggest off-road rally. Aware of the huge frustration, especially in Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal, and beyond the general disappointment and the huge economical consequences in terms of direct and indirect repercussions for the countries visited, A.S.O. will continue to defend the major values of great sporting events and will carry on its engagement for a durable development through the Actions Dakar, started 5 years ago in sub-Saharan Africa with SOS Sahel International.

The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy symbols. The cancellation of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar. To offer, for 2009 a new adventure to all the off-road rally passionate is a challenge that A.S.O. will take on in the months to come, faithful to its engagement and its passion for sports. -ASO

Pictures of the Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team after scrutineering. All four cars given a green light to start on January 5, until ASO announced they're cancelling the rally.

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER TAKES ON DAKAR 2008

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER TAKES ON DAKAR 2008

* Outlander unveiled as official Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart support vehicle for Dakar 2008
* Outlander’s size, power, styling and versatility make it the ideal choice
* Long list of technical innovations in standard production cars adapt effortlessly to all types of conditions and terrain

The Mitsubishi Outlander has been selected to be the sole support vehicle[1] for Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart’s title defence in 2008. The modified Outlander will tackle the support vehicles’ route, which differs only slightly from the competing cars. These vehicles require a high degree of off-road ability to cross the challenging terrain of the region's vast, sandy and rocky expanses.

The 2008 Dakar Outlander has been modified to comply with ASO's[2] safety regulations and features four racing bucket seats with full harness belts, a safety roll-cage, an additional fuel tank, underbody protection, Bose dampers, navigational equipment, and a host of other features. The engine, running gear, and fundamental chassis architecture however remain identical to the standard production car.

It is finished in the full racing livery of the competition Pajero/Montero Evolutions and with a carrying capacity of up to 1,691 litres means that the four Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart team members and their luggage will be able to travel in comfort and safety throughout the two-week event.

The standard production vehicle comes complete with features such as active control of the four driven wheels, fully independent suspension, high performance brakes and a low centre of gravity which has been achieved in part by an aluminium roof which employs technology tested on Lancer Evolution IX.

Outlander calls on AWC (All Wheel Control) technology, the Mitsubishi-developed electronic 4x4 control system which allows drivers to choose between three modes to match the level of traction control to individual preferences and / or road conditions.

Mitsubishi’s 4x4 systems have been developed over the last 20 years in all terrain vehicles and racing pursuits, the Outlander demonstrates the advanced technological development of the AWC through the switch dial selection.


Main Technical Specifications (Standard Outlander 2.2 Di-D)
Outlander is one of the symbols of the renewal of Mitsubishi Motors' line-up and was the brand's first car to be built on Mitsubishi's “Project Global” architecture, together with the new Lancer family (incl. Lancer Evolution X). It is also packed with Mitsubishi's legendary expertise in the realm of four-wheel drive technology and in the UK is powered by a choice of 2.2 Di-D 156PS (diesel), 2.0 Di-D 140PS (diesel), 2.4 MIVEC 170PS (petrol) engines.

* 156 PS @ 4,000 rpm and 380 Nm @ 2,000 rpm
* From 39.2 mpg (combined cycle)
* From 191 g/km (combined cycle)
* 0-62 mph in 9.9 seconds
* 124 mph maximum speed
* AWC (All-Wheel-Control)
* 6-speed manual gearbox


[1] Dakar 2008 support vehicles (also known as Authorised Assistance Vehicles) are allowed to carry equipment and people to help keep full competition vehicles on the road. The weight and size of these items is not to be higher than the weight limit stated in the International Highway Code, so Outlander’s payload and volume capacity are key to its choice and success.

[2] The Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) is the organiser of various major sporting events in addition to the Dakar Rally, including the Tour de France and Paris-Nice professional cycle road races.

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Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart gets ready for the Dakar

SHAKEDOWN TEST
17 December 2007

"ALL SYSTEMS GO"
FOR REPSOL MITSUBISHI RALLIART TEAM

The four cars which are due to spearhead the Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team’s 2008 Dakar bid successfully completed the special shakedown session which took place today at the squad's usual test venue in Marmagne, northwest of Macon, approximately 60km from its headquarters in Pont de Vaux, France.

All four crews braved the freezing weather to give their respective Pajero Montero Evolution MPR13s a final systems check before the vehicles are trucked to Lisbon, Portugal, in time for scrutineering and the official start of the African marathon which kicks off on January 5, 2008.
Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (France), Hiroshi Masuoka/Pascal Maimon (Japan/France) and Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (France) and Joan 'Nani' Roma/Lucas Cruz (Spain) all profited from the day to bed in a variety of mechanical parts and make a number of fine-tuning adjustments to their cars and seating positions round the maze of gravel tracks that make up the test base.

"Everything went perfectly smoothly," reported the Technical Director of Mitsubishi Motors Motor Sport (MMSP), Thierry Viardot. "The intention of today’s run wasn't to work on the set-up of the cars. That was done some time ago as a function of the results of the different test sessions organised during the year. Our objective was essentially to ensure there were no problems following the cars' build. Certain drivers were happy to call it a day after a brief drive, others spent longer at the wheel, but the exact distance covered by each crew was up to them. When you're talking about an event that lasts several thousand kilometres, it really wasn't a difference of a few of kilometres one way or the other today that will make a big difference once the competitive action begins next month.
"The beauty of the test facilities we use is that they offer a wide variety of surface types and we are free to make any changes we wish if we want to reproduce certain conditions,"concluded Viardot. "Another advantage is the fact that the tracks never get muddy, even it rains. However, with temperatures ranging from -6°C to -3°C today, that wasn't a problem this time!"
The shakedown session took place just days after the crews had completed their final physical fitness course of the year together. After their hike le Tour du Mont Blanc in July and a week of outdoor activities in Catalonia, Spain in November, this month's programme took them to the Thalasso Centre in Douarnenez, in Brittany, France, for a week of running, cycling, swimming, sauna and thalasso-therapy.

"It's always nice to get together off events but this sort of work is a vital part of our build-up to the Dakar," explained Luc Alphand's co-driver and former biker Gilles Picard. "The programme wasn't quite as intensive as it was the two other two times, and the sauna and thalasso-therapy were quite relaxing. That said, it was still sufficiently taxing to ensure we slept soundly each night!"
The 16-day 2008 Dakar starts in Lisbon on Saturday, January 5, and is scheduled to finish by the Lac Rose, near Dakar, Senegal, on Sunday, January 20.

-MMSP

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A Mitsubishi Outlander in the 08 Dakar

Mitsubishi Motorsport



A MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER ON THE 2008 DAKAR...
Outlander's unique blend of power, styling and versatility makes it an ideal choice for modern, active families. Thanks to a long list of Mitsubishi technical innovations, it adapts effortlessly to all types of conditions and terrain. It is for this reason that Mitsubishi Motors has decided to enter an Outlander 2.2 DI-D as a Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart service vehicle on the 2008 Dakar.

Outlander is one of the symbols of the renewal of Mitsubishi Motors's line-up and the brand's first car to be built on Mitsubishi's Project Global architecture, together with the new Lancer family (incl. Lancer Evolution) and Delica D:5. Outlander is also packed with Mitsubishi's acclaimed expertise in the realm of four-wheel drive technology and is powered by a choice of 2.2 DI-D 156ps, 2.0 DI-D 140ps, 2.4 MIVEC 170 ps and 3.0 V6 220 ps engines.

Although the route for service vehicles on the Dakar will not cover the same challenging terrain as that faced by competing cars, it will still be necessary to have a certain degree of off-road ability to cross the region's vast, sandy and rocky expanses and possibly come through the odd complex predicament...

Like the Delica D:5 service vehicle which took part in the 2007, the 2008 Dakar Outlander has been built in compliance with ASO's safety regulations and features four bucket seats with harness belts, a safety roll-cage, an additional fuel tank, underbody protection, Bose dampers, navigational equipment, etc.

Outlander's carefully penned styling combines elegance with sporty lines which have contributed to making Outlander a genuine best-seller in Europe, and there is no doubt that its colourful livery will turn heads since it is identical to that of the competition Pajero/Montero Evolutions.

Indeed, in the light of Outlander's global success, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has decided to transfer the production of all European specifications Outlanders to its NedCar production hub in the Netherlands. Effective during the course of 2008, this move will consequently freed up capacity in Japan to meet the very high demand for Mitsubishi Motors newest products such as Outlander or Lancer in world markets.

Outlander's overall dimensions are smaller than those of comparable vehicles, while its versatility is enhanced by the availability of five-seater and five+two versions, plus a carrying capacity of up to 1,691 litres. Its modularity also means that the four Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart team members and their luggage will be able to travel in comfort and safely throughout the two-week event.

MAIN TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS (standard Outlander 2.2 DI-D)

* 156 ps (115 kW) @ 4,000 rpm and 380 Nm @ 2,000 rpm,
* From 7.2 l/100 km (combined cycle)
* From 191 g/km (combined cycle)
* 0-100 km/h: 9*9
* 200 km/h maximum speed (where legal)
* AWC (All-Wheel-Control),
* 6-speed manual gearbox,

Active mode

Although Outlander is happy to leave the role of out-and-out 4x4 to the Pajero/Montero, it still stands out as an uncompromising solution for drivers looking for a different kind of leisure vehicle.

It makes full use of the adaptability that has been dialled into the new MMC Project Global platform and offers a standard of active safety and driving pleasure equivalent to that of a saloon. This has been made possible thanks to features such as active control of the four driven wheels, fully independent suspension, high performance brakes and a low centre of gravity which has been obtained, in part, thanks to an aluminium roof which employs technology tested on Lancer Evolution IX.

Outlander calls on All-Wheel-Control technology, the Mitsubishi-developed electronic 4x4 control system which permits drivers to choose between three modes to match the level of traction control to individual preferences and/or road conditions.

The rear-mounted (but centrally operating) differential incorporates an electronically controlled coupler which uses predictive control to determine the optimal torque split between the front and rear wheels based on data received from the butterfly valve sensors, the vehicle's speed, the conditions, the type of road and driving style:

* In 2x2 mode, torque is delivered exclusively to the front wheels to ensure agility and enhanced fuel economy.
* In 4x4 AUTO mode, torque transfer is controlled to permit progress and steering on unsealed roads or in unfavourable road conditions.
* Finally, in 4x4 LOCK mode, torque is immediately available to the rear wheels which receive approximately 1 1/2 times more torque than in the normal 4x4 mode with a view to optimizing performance in very slippery conditions (ice/snow) or on dirt roads and tracks.

Changing from one mode to another is extremely simple and practical: all the driver has to do is turn the illuminated, easy-to-manipulate dial located between the front seats.

....OFFICIAL PHOTOS WITH LIVERY TO FOLLOW, STAY TUNED, CHECK BACK OFTEN....





-MMSP