Racing Pedigree
Dakar Rally
The Dakar Rally has the reputation to be the ‘world's toughest motor race’, and it was the brainchild of French adventurer Thierry Sabine. Although the vast desert stage was its most emblematic feature, stunning natural landscapes of Africa in mountainous and dense forest areas were also part of the program. “I will show you the door to adventure. Only you can open it. I can take you along if you wish", Sabine once said. In the early days, racers competed for almost two weeks and covered an astonishing distance of 10,000 kilometres starting in Paris and finishing in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, in Central Africa.
MITSUBISHI MOTORS first got involved in 1983, and claimed their first victory at their third attempt in 1985. The PAJERO/MONTERO entered the Dakar Rally 26 times and won a total of 12 victories with an unprecedented seven consecutive wins to become known to all motorsports fans around the world as the “King of the Desert”.
1983
The MITSUBISHI PAJERO/MONTERO clinches its first victory in the non-modified production car class.
1984
With the prototypes dominating the top rankings, the MITSUBISHI PAJERO/MONTERO finished 1st in the modified production car class and 3rd overall.
1985
MITSUBISHI PAJERO/MONTERO takes first overall win. First triumph for a Japanese manufacturer.
1986
Paris-Dakar mourns tragic death of founder. All vehicles including the prototypes complete the rally.
1987
Beginning of a new era of the Paris-Dakar. Epic battle for victory between MITSUBISHI MOTORS and Peugeot.
1988
Paris-Dakar enters its 10th year. MITSUBISHI PAJERO/MONTERO and Kenjiro Shinozuka clinch 2nd place overall!
1989
MITSUBISHI PAJERO/MONTERO takes 5 out of the top 10 positions. Demonstrating its high reliability
1990
MITSUBISHI MOTORS takes on Peugeot in the final battle. Prototype Pajero greatly strengthened.
1991
MITSUBISHI PAJERO/MONTERO evolves into a new prototype. MITSUBISHI MOTORS faces Citroën, beginning of a new battle.
1992
MITSUBISHI PAJERO/MONTERO takes victory with a second overall win. Outstanding 1-2-3 finish.
1994
MITSUBISHI MOTORS’s courageous withdrawal. PAJERO/MONTERO evolves into the ultimate off-road machine.
1995
MITSUBISHI PAJERO/MONTERO demonstrates outstanding stability. The ultimate, constantly evolving off-road machine.
1997
MITSUBISHI MOTORS dominates and seals the top four positions, a first in Dakar history. Kenjiro Shinozuka becomes the first Japanese to secure the overall win on Paris-Dakar.
1998
MITSUBISHI MOTORS dominates to claim the top four positions for the second consecutive year. The modified production car class PAJERO/MONTERO evolves into the Evolution model.
2002
Hiroshi Masuoka wins the Dakar, overcoming the humiliating setback on the previous event.
2003
Hiroshi Masuoka, first Japanese driver to claim two consecutive victories. MITSUBISHI MOTORS dominates with 1st to 4th positions.
2004
MITSUBISHI MOTORS Team wins for the ninth time, taking a fourth consecutive overall victory.
2005
Peterhansel and Alphand pocket 1-2 finish, Peterhansel securing his second win in a row.
2006
MITSUBISHI MOTORS and Volkswagen go head-to-head. MITSUBISHI MOTORS extends consecutive wins record to 6, claiming its 11th overall victory.
2007
PAJERO/MONTERO EVOLUTION Super Production moves ahead. 7 consecutive wins, 12 overall victories.
2008
Event Cancelled
2009 - Final Race for Pajero
Dakar Rally holds inaugural event in South America. MITSUBISHI MOTORS Team’s participation in the Dakar Rally comes to a close.
Sources: Images, text, articles and links are sourced from https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/brand/motorsports/dakar/.
Disclaimer: The information is provided for educational purposes only. While Pajero Owners ANZ ("we/us") takes every step to verify information contained on this site, we do not take any responsibility for its accuracy. Readers should conduct their own research.