NISSAN RALLY RAID TEAM
DAKAR 2003
THE CREWS…
N° 201 Kenjiro SHINOZUKA (JPN) – Thierry DELLI ZOTTI (FRA) NISSAN Pickup Super Production Category
N° 204 Ari VATANEN (FIN) – Tina THORNER (SWE) NISSAN Pickup Super Production Category
N°210 Thierry DE LAVERGNE (FRA) – Jacky DUBOIS (FRA)
NISSAN Pickup Super Production Category
N° 217 Giniel DE VILLIERS (RSA) – Pascal MAIMON (FRA) NISSAN Pickup Super Production Category
N°218 Khalifa AL MUTAWEI (UAE) – Philippe MONNET (FRA) NISSAN Pickup Super Production Category
Alec Poole, Team Manager of the Nissan Rally raid Team gives his comments on these new Teams.
" We have a Cosmopolitan Team with people from Japan, Sweden, Finland, France, South Africa, Portugal, Spain, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Scotland, Ireland and one from England…. It is refreshing to have such an open, friendly and enthusiastic Team.
Although our Pickups are more closely related to what you can buy in the Show Room than say the competitors, I feel we should still be competitive in the early stages of the Rally. Our real test will come when, (not if), things start going wrong in the second week. Everything will depend on how we react as we do not have the experience of running our Pickups for this length of time.
Can we diagnose what is wrong and can we put it right quickly. We must not expect too much, we have a lot to learn, but with spirit everything is possible, even if it does not come our way, in our first year.
I think our young South African driver Giniel De Villiers will surprise a few people with his speed, so hope he does not have things go wrong before he has an opportunity to show his potential. "
NISSAN AND THE DAKAR
Nissan sees Motorsport as a passion that shows the fighting spirit of the brand, providing excitement to the customers. It is also a tool to develop both the brand and its technological capabilities. Nissan has a long history of involvement in various areas of Motorsport, including Le Mans, Super Touring, Rally Raids and Rallying.
As part of the company’s current global business strategy of developing the sales efforts and strengthening the brand, Nissan will be organising its Motorsports activities, taking part in events with vehicles which are closer to the product line-up, and closer to the customers, in order to have a more direct impact on the brand and on sales.
A perfect example of this is the Dakar. Nissan has a long history in the event through independent teams, but this year will see a full works team take part in the event. The reasons for this are multiple. The Dakar has a strong global impact, with high media exposure in important markets not only across Europe but in Japan as well.
This challenging, adventurous race has fans across the world, due to the conditions the cars and drivers face, the speeds they achieve over difficult terrain, and the huge distances they cover. Nissan has built up over 50 years of 4x4 heritage, leading up to the current models, from top selling X‑TRAIL – which is now the benchmark of the compact SUV in Europe – to the Pickup which is sold in over 150 markets worldwide. Dakar is an ideal opportunity for Nissan to demonstrate its high level of expertise and the performance capabilities of its 4x4 range to the world.
However, the Rally Raid involvement does not only aim to develop the 4x4 business, but to develop and strengthen the Nissan brand as a whole, by broadening its appeal to a wider audience, in particular to young, active enthusiasts, giving the brand a stronger, more dynamic image.
Nissan has committed to a 4-year plan, entering the Dakar between 2003 and 2006. In line with the Company’s Global Motorsport policy, the Nissan Rally Raid team for the Dakar will be a truly global one, with crews from Europe, South Africa, the Middle East and Japan. It will benefit from the support and experience of André Dessoude, who has entered the Dakar for 20 years.
Nissan is sure its cars will be highly competitive, and will provide excitement and passion to customers and fans all over the world.
THE FINAL TESTS…
A few weeks before the start of the 25th edition of the «Dakar », the Nissan Rally Raid Team has completed the final tests of its vehicles. The three Pickups prepared by Nissan were tested in South Africa (from where they originate) and the other two, prepared by the Dessoude team, in the Bordeaux region of France. On the South African side, the three line-ups (Ari Vatanen/Tina Thorner, Kenjiro Shinozuka/Thierry Delli Zotti and Giniel de Villiers/Pascal Maimon) met up in Johannesburg to finalise the set-ups and to evaluate the potential of their new Pickups.
This African episode started with a surprise, as during the presentation of the Nissan Rally Raid Team in South Africa, a very important guest came to wish them luck. Mr Nelson Mandela wished to encourage the team and greet all the team members in person, before the start of their great adventure … an emotional and symbolic moment, which saw their entry in the Dakar turn into a national event. An unforgettable moment for all those present.
The day after this memorable event, the whole team met up at the Geroteck test track, around 100km from Johannesburg. At around 1600m above sea level, this complex of dirt tracks, speed loops and crossings provides the best variety of test surfaces. Everyone was impatient to get going, but the most impatient of all was definitely Ari Vatanen… After a long absence, he was finally able to rediscover the sport which has always been the passion of his life.
This busy day allowed everyone to evaluate the challenge they were about to face, and to prepare for it as best they could.
Each of them was keen to share their feelings a few days before the start of the “big adventure”...
Ari VATANEN (FIN) – N° 204
«I really enjoyed these tests. Racing has always been in my heart, as it has been throughout my life. When you excel in something, like art or music, and they take your instrument or your paintbrush for five or six years, the day you rediscover them, you can only be overjoyed. Today, I am happy. What else can I possibly say? In the team, everyone is working very hard. They are true professionals, passionate people who do not count the time they spend with the cars. We have done everything in order to be the best and they know it. This mix of cultures, this exchange between South Africa and Europe is very positive, and represents a beautiful experience. A sporting experience, of course, but more importantly a human one.»
Kenjiro SHINOZUKA (JPN) – N° 201
«We did some high-speed tests and I am particularly satisfied. We had a few small problems, but nothing too worrying. We put ourselves through a real situation, and it must be said that the whole team has done an excellent job on the mechanical side. The Nissan Pickup is an excellent car and I am very pleased to be able to drive in the Dakar. Thierry (Delli Zotti) and I are very confident. A new team, a new car … a new adventure. »
Giniel DE VILLIERS (RSA) – N° 217
«The « proto » version of the Pickup appears to have started off well, and I think we have made a big step in the right direction. We still need to test a few small things, but the car is behaving very well. We will be able to judge it during the race, but as far as the basic set-up is concerned, it is excellent. This is a good sign, as we can only improve. I am impatient to get going and to continue to develop the car in real racing conditions. Pascal (Maimon) also liked the car. It is very promising for a new car to be so well appreciated from the very start.”
Tina THORNER (SWE) – N° 204
«I must admit that I have been really impressed by the team and its spirit. There is a really professional atmosphere, and everything has been considered with care. Along with Ari, we certainly lack practice with the Pickup, but I think that above all, we will have to find the right rhythm during the first week, then increase the pace afterwards. The Dakar is not a sprint race: you have to hold strong for three weeks. This is the first time I have co-driven for Ari. I think that despite his absence for a number of years, he has not lost his determination or his potential. His competitive spirit is fully intact.”
Thierry DELLI ZOTTI (FRA) – N° 201
«I have been agreeably surprised by the team spirit. I have met a number of passionate people, the kind you rarely find these days in the professional arena, who manage to maintain real human values. The team might lack experience in rally-raid, but not in competition. I feel really involved in this adventure. What I like is to become totally immersed in the environment, I spend as much time as possible with the team, and if I can help them with my experience, so much the better. The mechanical side is extremely important to me, it is a parameter which has to be learnt. Kenjiro would like me to “learn” the Pickup. On a Dakar race, if there are problems, you have to react quickly. Every minute lost on the track quickly turns into an hour at the end. The Dakar is a succession of problems to solve. When you sort one thing out, the next appears. During the tests, Kenjiro liked the Pickup. He feels comfortable and full of confidence, and is gradually getting his bearings. Like all the others, I can’t wait for
1 January. »
Pascal MAIMON (FRA) – N° 217
«I was really delighted with this test session, it was really superb. For a first test, the set-up was perfect. I felt a big difference compared to the car we tested in October (without independent suspension), and Giniel felt the same. Everything is very positive for the race. As far as the reliability is concerned, we will have to wait and see, but we know that the Pickups are very competitive and any teething problems can always be solved. No matter what, the race will be very open.
The team is very professional and has extensive experience in the South African Championship. Everyone is very willing, and a real “family” feeling is building up. Teaming up with Giniel, I feel almost as if I am driving for South Africa, and that delights me. Giniel really impressed me in October during our first try-out together, and today he confirmed those first impressions. He is really a very promising driver, with a steady, thoughtful character. Even if he has no prior Dakar experience, he has been racing for a number of years in off-road championships. He will gain experience as the race goes on, but I am very confident.”
On the French side, Team Dessoude met up at Biscarosse in the Gironde region of France. Thierry de Lavergne and Jacky Dubois took part in this session, while Khalifa Al Mutawei was booked in for the following session.
The team was literally carried away by the test. Everyone was enthusiastic about the Pickup, most especially those behind the wheel … Thierry de Lavergne and Jacky Dubois.
The tests mainly involved the tyre inflating and deflating system, as well as certain internal fittings for the co-driver’s comfort. André Dessoude was also very pleased with the session, as the ground was very similar to that which the competitors will encounter during the 2003 edition of the Dakar.
Thierry DE LAVERGNE (FRA) – N° 210«I had a very good feeling with the car, straight away. It is very competitive vehicle, which has great potential. Its behaviour is impressive. I am really happy to be able to take the start of the Dakar behind the wheel of a Pickup. I think we can really aim for a good result. Moreover, the practice conditions at Biscarosse are excellent. The terrain is very similar to that we will cross during the event. The sand is occasionally even finer here. We were able to test the inflating/deflating system, which will be a key element on the event. I am confident about everything, and can’t wait to get to Marseille… »
Jacky DUBOIS (FRA) – N° 210
«The Pickup is a great car, with excellent potential. Well built, it has true reliability. Unless we have some bad surprises, I am sure we can get a good result. The only slight inconvenience is that the space inside the cockpit for the co-driver is limited … but after a number of small changes, it should be fine… »
Unlike Thierry de Lavergne, Khalifa El Mutawei is already familiar with the Pickup, having driven one during the Dubaï Desert Challenge. Khalifa was impressed with the machine’s performance and potential. With a fine navigator, Philippe Monnet, he will also be full of confidence when he lines up for the start of the Dakar.
CONCEPT AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PICKUPS…
The Nissan Rally Raid Team had to work round the clock in order to complete two brand-new Nissan Pickup racers as well as a revolutionary new independently-sprung “silhouette” Pickup vehicle in time for 12 December, when they were due to leave from South Africa (where they were built) from Europe.
Despite the pressure and workload, there was no question of standards dropping, and the engineers, technicians and machinists were all aware of the fact that attention to detail had to remain of paramount importance. “There are two very simple guiding principles that we work to here,” said Glyn Hall, Nissan’s South Africa Motorsport manager and technical head of the Dakar campaign. “The first is that motorsport events are won in the workshop, and the second is this: how come there was time to do something a second time, when there wasn’t time to do it right the first time!”
As well as logging up 160 hours of overtime over two months, the team members had to start to prepare physically for the event, where their stamina and general state of fitness may have a bearing on events.
Painted bright red, the Pickup vehicles for Ari Vatanen (the four-times winner, for whom Tina Thorner will navigate) and Kenjiro Shinozuka (along with Thierry Delli-Zotti) spent many months at the centre of the Nissan Motorsport South Africa headquarters in the Johannesburg region, being joined later by the “Proto” version, which will be driven by Giniel de Villiers (whose co-driver will be the previous Dakar winner, Pascal Maimon). A real spider’s web developed around these three formidable machines, from the engine room to the machine shop, via the engineering office, the spare parts section, the fabrication department or the administration office … a thick web, with every thread being both complementary and reliant on the others.
The original concept of the Pickup cars – like most racing cars – started out as a set of ideas, and that concept found its way into a number of roughly-executed pencil drawings. In the case of these cars, from concept it went to the drawing office where an overall engineering drawing was created around the regulations, factoring many of the key dimensions and positioning of main components.
“In a perfect world, the design that comes from the drawing office would have every component correctly placed in the car, but in reality in seldom works like that because of time constraints,” says Glyn Hall. “But the more you have on a drawing as a holistic concept then the safer you are when it actually comes to building the car, and with three-dimensional modelling many basic errors can be reduced.”
While the cars for Shinozuka and Vatanen are evolutions of the cars raced in South Africa this year, the prototype, all-independent suspension car for De Villiers is very different, mainly because the ladder frame chassis has disappeared completely, and been replaced by what is a true space-frame. In terms of time spent on it, Hall estimated that it had actually accounted for about 1,000 man-hours of design time.
During the preparation phase, throughout the workshop, the refrain was essentially the same: accuracy, attention to detail, and precision are the words that came up again and again. There was also a strong consultative element, with those people who handled the final assembly of the cars free to make suggestions as to how certain elements could be improved upon. As the first people to go under the car at a service point, they have a unique perspective, and can pinpoint areas that could save time and problems later. They are convinced that in terms of field maintenance, the car is the best it has ever been.
The engines fitted to all the cars make use of variable valve timing on the inlet camshafts for the first time, but despite this, will produce marginally less power than those used in the South African off-road series, where they are not required to run with a restrictor. According to Colin Holmes, who is in charge of building the VQ35 six cylinder engines, the powerplants have a wide powerband, plenty of torque, and will be relatively unstressed. “As we are not allowed to change the engine, we’re not taking any chances,” he explained. “We’ve fitted steel connecting rods, special pistons, and will also run a new kind of oil pump for the dry sump system this year.”
An area of the car that deserves special mention is the wiring harness. Because of the extremely high temperatures under the bonnet, reaching 170° Celsius, the highest specification aeronautical electrical cable and heat shielding has been used for the engine management computer harness. Eight separate sub-harnesses make up the wiring system, with a total of 450 metres of wire and 37 separate electrical connectors.
That’s not all. Administration, budgets, ordering parts, controlling outsourced work, dealing with suppliers – not to mention making sure the travel documentation and arrangements were in place … the task of getting the Nissan Pickup cars ready in time for their Dakar adventure was like assembling an extremely large and complex jigsaw puzzle. A puzzle which will finally come together when the cars finally set off on 1 January.
Team Logistics…
The Dakar desert race is a potential logistics nightmare. On 12 December, Nissan South Africa will start the long journey to France, along with their three racing Pickups, spares and 18 team personnel. The personnel and a fleet of 10 vehicles will then follow the race for 19 days, through the South of France and Spain, then across North Africa from Tunis to the Red Sea.
A Safair Hercules C130 cargo plane will be taking the team for the first step of the journey. It will carry the race cars – each weighing 1750 kg – as well as the equivalent of an additional vehicle in spares. They will also transport additional gearboxes, six sets of spare brake discs, 12 complete sets of brake pads, three sets of lightweight bodywork, six sets of suspension components, eight differentials, windscreens and a mountain of tools and tool chests, a total of four tonnes of equipment in all.
The three Pickups will use around 60 BF Goodrich tyres during the event, and Nissan will also take 116 OZ wheelrims and tyre-changing equipment. Radiator water – around 180 litres – is also transported, while around 3500 litres of high-octane fuel per Pickup will be purchased from the organisers.
A full service is planned for the halfway stop at Siwa, in Egypt; the rules state that the engine block is the only par that cannot be changed, and virtually all the running gear will be replaced at this point.
However, the racing Pickup vehicles are not the only things which need spare parts … the personnel which will accompany the team also needs a significant amount of baggage for such a long journey …
ARI VATANEN (FIN) DRIVER
Born 27 April, 1952. Tuupovaara (Finland)
Married, 4 children
Having taken part in, and won, all the leading rallies, Ari Vatanen is one of the most respected people in international motorsport. After making his debut with Ford in 1976, he took his first World Rally Championship win in 1980, on the Acropolis rally. In 1981, he won the World Rally Championship. However, in 1985, when he was still competing at the top world level with Peugeot Talbot Sport, he was seriously injured while competing in Argentina. After nearly two years of recuperation, he rejoined Peugeot, which had switched to rally-raids. This marked the start of a new career for him, and he proceeded to win the epic Dakar rally four times, as well as many other rally-raids. Despite a brief yet successful time with Subaru in the World Rally Championship, he returned to rally-raids with Citroën, culminating in victory in the World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies in 1997. A member of the European Parliament for Finland since 1999, he is looking forward to this new challenge with Nissan.
CAREER RECORD
1976 Series Champion British open championship
1980 Series Champion British open championship
1st overall Acropolis Rally
1981 1st overall Acropolis Rally
1st overall Brazil Rally
1st overall 1000 Lakes Rally
Wins the World Rally Championship for Drivers
1983 1st overall Safari Rally
1984 1st overall San Remo Rally
1st overall RAC Rally
1985 1st overall Monte Carlo Rally
1st overall Swedish Rally
1987 1st overall Paris-Algiers-Dakar Rally
1st overall Pharaohs Rally
1988 1st overall Tunisia Rally
1st overall Atlas Rally
1st overall Baja Rally
1st overall Pharaohs Rally
1989 1st overall Pharaohs Rally
1st overall Paris-Dakar Rally
1990 1st overall Paris-Dakar Rally
1st overall Baja Aragon Off Road Rally
1991 1st overall Paris-Dakar Rally
1993 1st Hong Kong-Beijing Rally
1995 1st overall Atlas Rally
1st overall Portuguese Baja
19961st overall Spanish Baja
1st overall Master Rally
1st overall Hong Kong-Beijing Rally
19971st overall Atlas Rally
1st overall Portuguese Baja
1st overall Master Rally
1st overall UAE Desert Challenge
Wins the World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies
Tina THORNER (SWE) CO-DRIVER
Born 24 February 1966 in Sweden.
Single
Lives in Krylbo, Sweden
Tina Thorner has signed for the Nissan Rally Raid Team, and will be Ari Vatanen’s co-driver for the next Dakar. The 36-year old Swede previously competed in the epic African event in 1999 and 2000, alongside Jutta Kleinschmidt, and she is looking forward to this new challenge.
One of the few women competing in the highest echelons of world motorsport, Tina Thorner has been taking part in the World Rally Championship this season, as co-driver to Kenneth Eriksson in a Skoda Octavia WRC. Although her earliest ambitions involved flying, the farmer’s daughter from Sweden made her WRC debut in 1986. After graduating in economic studies in 1989, she was asked to co-drive for British driver Louise Aitken-Walker. Since then her career has gone from strength to strength, both in the WRC and in Rally Raids. Although she is realistic about the sacrifices needed to get to the top, Tina loves rallying, which she considers the perfect challenge in Motorsport.
CAREER RECORD
1993 Winner of the European FIA Ladies Championship
1994 Winner of WRC Ladies Cup - Vice-champion of WRC - Group N
1995 WRC with Isolde Holderied.
Winner of the WRC Ladies Cup-3rd Group N World Rally Championship
1997 WRC with Uwe Nittel
1998 4th Dubai Desert challenge with Jutta Kleinschmidt
1999 Paris-Dakar, 3rd overall with Jutta Kleinschmidt
2000 Paris-Dakar, 5th overall with Jutta Kleinschmidt
2001 second in Swedish Rally
2002 WRC with Kenneth Eriksson
Kenjiro SHINOZUKA (JPN) DRIVER
Born 20 November, 1948
Married, one child
The name of Shinozuka is greatly respected in Japanese motor sport circles. Having begun his career in 1968, he became the first Japanese driver to finish the Kenyan Safari Rally in 1976. And 15 years later, he became the first Japanese driver to win a round of the World Rally Championship, the Ivory Coast-Bandama Rally in 1991. The following year, he won the event for the second year running.
In 1997 he achieved another premiere for a Japanese driver by beating the odds to take overall victory in the legendary Paris-Dakar Rally. Starting in 1998 and 1999 Granada-Dakar Rally, he has challenged the 8-round World Cup series climbing to 2nd in the Drivers' ranking. Shinozuka made a remarkable recovery from a spectacular accident on the Dakar 2000, and returned in September to win the Por Las Pampas Rally in Argentina.
Kenjiro Shinozuka has come to be considered a very talented and experienced driver, and an excellent tactician.
RECENT RESULTS
1992 Paris-Cape Town: 3rd overall
Safari Rally: 10th overall
Paris-Beijing: 4th overall
Ivory Coast Rally: 1st overall
1993 Paris-Dakar: 5th overall
Hong Kong-Beijing: 4th overall
1994 Safari Rally: 2nd overall
Baja Spain: 5th overall
Indonesian Rally: 3rd overall
Hong Kong-Beijing: 4th overall
1995 Granada-Dakar: 3rd overall
Safari Rally: 2nd overall
Rally Indonesia: 5th overall
Hong Kong-Beijing: 6th overall
1996 Rally of Malaysia: 3rd overall
Hong Kong-Beijing: 3rd overall
1997 Dakar-Agades-Dakar: 1st overall
1998 Paris-Granada-Dakar: 2nd overall
Italian Baja: 2nd overall
Rally of Tunisia: 2nd overall
Rally Atlas Savane: 2nd overall
Marlboro UAE Desert Challenge: 3rd overall
1999 Granada-Dakar Rally: 4th overall
Italian Baja: 1st overall
Rally of Tunisia: 2nd overall
Por Las Pampas: 2nd overall
Marlboro UAE Desert Challenge: 2nd overall
2000 Por Las Pampas: 1st overall
UAE desert Challenge: 3rd overall
2001 Paris-Dakar: 30th overall
2002 Arras-Madrid-Dakar: 3rd overall
Italian BAJA: 3rd overall
Thierry DELLI-ZOTTI (FRA) CO-DRIVER
Born 5 February, 1964
Married, 2 children
An incredible level of experience and excellent knowledge of the trails of Africa … Thierry Delli-Zotti has taken part in the Paris-Dakar 16 times during his career, as a driver (8 times), a co-driver and as a mechanic. He has also taken part in the French All-Terrain Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Paris TT on numerous occasions. He will be driving with Kenjiro Shinozuka in 2003, the duo having finished in 3rd place in the previous edition.
CAREER RECORD
1987 Paris-Dakar : 1st participation as a mechanic
1988 Paris-Dakar : Navigator with a Mitsubishi
1989 Paris Dakar : Driver, Mitsubishi Pajero
1990 Paris Dakar : Driver, Mitsubishi Pajero
1991 Paris Dakar : Driver, Mitsubishi Pajero
1992 Paris Dakar : Driver, Mitsubishi Pajero
1993 Paris-Dakar : Mechanic
1994 Paris Dakar : Driver, Mitsubishi Pajero
1995 Paris Dakar : Driver, Mitsubishi Pajero
1996 Paris-Dakar : Opener for the official Mitsubishi team
Rally of Morocco : Opener for the official Mitsubishi team - Paris-Dakar : France Télévision press car
Rally of Morocco : navigator private Team Toyota - Rally of Tunisia : Team Mitsubishi private
1997 Paris-Dakar :Navigator for Jose Maria Servia, Toyota - Rally of Tunisia : Team Boch
1998 Paris-Dakar : Navigator with Jose Maria Servia, Team Schlesser – 5th overall
Rally of Tunisia :Navigator–Team Schlesser–2nd overall - Paris-Istambul : Team Schlesser-2nd overall
1999 Paris-Dakar : Navigator for Grégoire de Mévius, Nissan – Team Dessoude
Paris-Istambul : Navigator for Bruno Saby – Ford Protruck
2000 Paris-Dakar : Navigator for Bruno Saby – Ford Protruck : 13th overall
2001 Rally of Morocco : navigator – Mitsubishi quick assistance
Rally of Tunisia : navigator for Bruno Saby – Ford Protruck – 1st overall
2002 Paris-Dakar : Navigator for Kenjiro Shinozuka – Mitsubishi – 3rd overall
Rally of Tunisia : Navigator for Emmanuel de Savoie – Nissan – Team Dessoude
Giniel DE VILLIERS (RSA) DRIVER
Born 25 March, 1972 in Robertson (South Africa)
Single
After a supremely successful circuit career, winning four Touring Car Championship titles with a Nissan Primera, Giniel de Villiers decided to take his career in a new direction.
Although Giniel has never taken part in the Dakar, he does know the Nissan Pickup extremely well. For the last two seasons, he has taken part in the South African Off-Road Championship with this car, which he particularly likes. Giniel has worked on the technical evolution of the Pickup, and knows its potential well. Thirty years old, this all-round sportsman, fond of all-terrain biking and golf, is looking forward to his first Dakar experience. A dream that will become reality in a few weeks time …
CAREER RECORD
1993 Stannic Group N National Class D Champion
1994 Nissan Sentra, Class B and SA Production Car Champion
1995 South African Touring Car Championship - Nissan Sentra
International Touring Car event : 2nd and 3rd (against International competitors)
1996 South African Touring Car Championship - Nissan Sentra
South African Rainbow Cup (International Touring Car event) :
2 wins - Nissan Primera
1997 South African Touring Car Driver Champion – Nissan Primera
1998 South African Touring Car Driver Champion –Nissan Primera
Awarded National Protea Colours
1999 African Touring Car Driver Champion – Nissan Primera
2000 South African Touring Car Driver Champion – Nissan Primera
Ranked as the world’s most successful Touring Car Driver
National Off Road Championship- Super Production– Nissan Hardbody
2001 National Off Road Championship - Nissan Hardbody T1
National Production Vehicle Champion
2002 National Off Road Championship - Nissan Hardbody T1
Pascal MAIMON (FRA) CO-DRIVER
Born 17 March, 1960
Married, 3 children
Pascal Maimon has plenty of African experience, not only knowing the various tracks and trails well, but also having excellent mechanical knowledge. After a number of years with Citroën and then with Peugeot Talbot Sport, this exceptional co-driver and mechanic has most notably taken part in the development program for the phenomenal 205 and 405 T16 Grand Raid cars. Three years of collaboration with TSO allowed him to perfect his knowledge of Africa and of its potential pitfalls. In 2001, he reached the top with a second-place finish in the mythical Dakar. This was followed by victory in 2002 with Hiroshi Masuoka. An unforgettable moment…
CAREER RECORD
1985 Rally of Kenya with Pierre Pagani, in a 205 Turbo 16
1987 Paris-Dakar with Jacques Houssat – Peugeot Talbot Sport assistance
1988 Paris-Dakar with Gérard Boin in a P4 – 21th overall
1989 Pharaohs Rally with Jacques Houssat in a P4 – 16th overall
Paris –Dakar with Jacques Houssat in a P4 – 16th overall
1990 Paris-Dakar with Gérard Boin in a P4
1991 Paris-Peking with Philippe Wambergue in a Toyota (race cancelled)
1992 Paris-Peking with Jacques Houssat in a Perlini (Rothmans Mitsubishi)
Paris-Le Cap with Bruno Saby – Mitsubishi
1993 Atlas Rally – recce and note-taking for Mitsubishi
2000 Baja with Hiroshi Masuoka – Mitsubishi
Dakar-Cairo with Miguel Prieto - Mitsubishi
2001 Paris-Dakar with Hiroshi Masuoka – Mitsubishi – 2nd overall
2002 Paris-Dakar with Hiroshi Masuoka – Mitsubishi – 1st overall
Rally of Tunisia with Bruno Saby – Ford Ranger
Thierry DE LAVERGNE (FRA) DRIVER
Born 19 July,1957
1 child
Having taken part in the Dakar rally twelve times, and finished second in the World Cup in 1996, Thierry de Lavergne is without doubt a man of experience. Driving for Nissan since 1992, he has won the World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies twice, in the T1 category (1996) and the T2 category (1997), with a Terrano and a Patrol respectively. Living in Paris and Senegal, Thierry has deep feelings for Africa, and since 1999, has been a Sporting Ambassador for Senegal. Remaining faithful to Nissan, he will be starting his 13th Dakar behind the wheel of a Pickup. Motivated by this new challenge, he is extremely determined, and although the finish will not take place at Dakar in 2003, he will be keen to be well placed when he reaches the shores of the Red Sea…
CAREER RECORD
1989 Starts competition with a Land Rover
1990 Rally of Tunisia : 1st in the T2 category
1991 Rally of the Pharaohs : 1st in the T2 category
1993 Rally of Morocco : 1st, T1 category (Nissan) - Portuguese Baja : 1st, T1 category (Nissan)
Spanish Baja : 1st, T1 category (Nissan)-UAE Desert Challenge : 1st, T1 category (Nissan)
5th in the World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies
1994 UAE Desert Challenge : 1st, T1 category (Nissan)
1995 Paris-Granada-Dakar :1st T2 & 6th overall (Nissan)-Rally of Tunisia :1st, T2 category (Nissan)
Portuguese Baja : 1st, T2 category (Nissan)
1996 Paris-Dakar : 1st, T1 category, 6th overall (Nissan)
Winner of the World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies (category T1)
1997 Paris-Dakar : 6th overall –Nissan
1998 Paris –Dakar : 7th overall – Nissan
1999 Dakar-Cairo : 5th overall with a Nissan Terrano
2000 Rally of Tunisia : 3rd overall – Nissan - Paris-Moscow-Istanbul rally: 3rd overall - Nissan
Rally of Egypt : 3rd overall and 1st T1 – Nissan
2001 Rally of Tunisia : 2nd overall and 1st T2 – Nissan - Master Rally : 3rd overall - Nissan
2002 Paris-Dakar : 1st in the production-petrol category with a Nissan Pathfinder
Rally of Tunisia : 5th overall with a Nissan Pathfinder T2
Jacky DUBOIS (FRA) CO-DRIVER
Born 9June, 1949 at Preuilly sur Claise
Married with two children
Jacky Dubois started his career 10 years ago. From the steppes of Central Asia to the African dunes, he has taken part in many legendary events, and has accumulated solid experience. Since 1999, he has been driving alongside Thierry de Laverge, in a Nissan. Just like “his” driver, Jacky is waiting impatiently for 1 January 2003.
CAREER RECORD
1992 Takes part in the Paris-Moscow-Peking rally
1993 Rally of the Pharaohs, winner of the marathon-diesel category
1994 8th in the Trucks category of the Paris-Dakar-Paris, 5th in the Rally of
Tunisia, 6th in the Atlas Rally and takes part in the Desert Challenge
1995 6th in the Rally Paris-Grenade-Dakar, takes part in the Rally of Tunisia
1996 9th in the Paris-Peking Rally and takes part in the Granada-Dakar rally
1997 6th in the Dakar-Agades-Dakar (with 1 stage victory), 14th in the Rally
of Tunisia and 6th in the Desert Challenge
1998 6th in the Paris-Dakar (1st in the T3 category), 3rd in the Rally of Tunisia,
5th in the Atlas Rally and 7th in the Desert Challenge.
Finishes 4th in the FIA World Cup for co-drivers.
1999 8th in the Paris-Dakar, 3rd in the Master Rally, 5th in the UAE Desert
Challenge, 6th in the Rally of Tunisia and 3rd in the Rally of Egypt
2000 8th in the Paris-Dakar-Cairo Rally, 3rd in the Rally of Tunisia, 3rd in the Master
Rally and 3rd in the Rally of Egypt (1st in the T1 marathon category)
2001 9th in the Paris-Dakar, 2nd in the Rally of Tunisia, 6th in the Master Rally.
2002 1st Petrol Production PARIS DAKAR - 5th in the Rally of TUNISIA
KHALIFA AL MUTAWEI (UAE) DRIVER
Born in Dubaï, 31.
Married, 4 children
Khalifa has extensive rally experience. In the rally raid category, he finished in a fine second place this season during the Rally of Tunisia, and has already driven a Pickup during the Dubai Desert Challenge, in November. The route taken by the 2003 Dakar should suit him perfectly. With plenty of sand, this edition will allow him to display his talent in the dunes. Khalifa will be accompanied by a fine navigator, Philippe Monnet, who has twice won the event - an important factor for this marathon event.
CAREER RECORD
1993 Finished 2nd and 4th in two rounds of the UAE National Rally Championship.
1994 Won UAE National Rally Championship.
Second in Middle East International Rally Championship.
1995 1st UAE International Rally.
1st Qatar International Rally.
2nd Kuwait International Rally.
Finished second in Middle East International Rally Championship.
1997 Won UAE National Rally Championship.
1st 1,000 Dunes Rally.
1998 Won UAE National Rally Championship.
1st 1,000 Dunes Rally.
1999 Won UAE National Rally Championship.
1st 1,000 Dunes Rally.
2001 1st 1,000 Dunes Rally.
2002 2nd Rally of Tunisia.
18th UAE Desert Challenge.
PHILIPPE MONNET (FRA) CO-DRIVER
Born 31 January1959, La Clusaz (France)
His career has not followed the standard path. Curious and open, Philippe Monnet has been involved in a number of sporting fields. His fame came through yachting. An exceptional sailor, he holds a number of world records, acquired in some of the most famous races. This top-level sportsman has vast experience in many fields. A member of the Junior French Ski team, he competed in artistic and acrobatic events. An unequalled rider, he has distinguished himself over the jumps. As a rally-raid navigator, he has also managed to claim a number of titles.
In rallying, he soon learnt how important it was to respect the car, to manage the race. He also took time to closely observe the organisation of the various teams with which he has worked: Citroën, Mitsubishi and Schlesser.
Joining the Nissan Rally Raid Team, Philippe will navigate for Khalifa Al Mutawei.
CAREER RECORD
1990 Winner of the Atlas Rally (Morocco)
1991 Winner of the Pharaohs Rally
1992 Winner of the Paris-Capetown with Hubert Auriol
1993 Winner of the Pharaohs Rally
1996 Winner of the Atlas Rally (Morocco)
1998 Winner of the Italian Baja
Winner of the Rally of Tunisia
1999 Winner of the Cross-Country Rallies World Cup
Winner of the Master Rally
Winner of the Rally of Tunisia
Winner of the Paris-Dakar
NISSAN RALLY RAID TEAM KEY PEOPLE
CREWS
N° 201 Kenjiro SHINOZUKA (JPN) – Thierry DELLI ZOTTI (FRA) NISSAN Pickup
N° 204 Ari VATANEN (FIN) – Tina THORNER (SWE) NISSAN Pickup
N°210 Thierry DE LAVERGNE (FRA) – Jacky DUBOIS (FRA) NISSAN Pickup
N° 217 Giniel DE VILLIERS (RSA) – Pascal MAIMON (FRA) NISSAN Pickup
N°218 Khalifa AL MUTAWEI (UAE) – Philippe MONNET (FRA) NISSAN Pickup
Team Manager : Alec POOLE
Project Chief Engineer : Glyn HALL
For the three cars prepared by NISSAN:
Logistics Manager : Jean Bernard VIEU
Strategy Manager : Fred GALLAGHER
Engineer Pickup 1 : Nigel DICKSON
Engineer Pickup 2 : B. SHUTTLEWORTH
Engineer Pickup 3 : Adrian VAN DER RIET
Transmission : J. WADDINGTON
Electronics : Miguel JARDIM
Engine : Colin HOLMES
Patrol : David SANCHEZ
Medical: Ian CRACKNELL
6 mechanics
2T4 RENAULT Trucks:
N° 418 :Hannes GROBLER (RSA) - Terry HARRYMAN (GB) - Aaron RAGOBALE (RSA)
N°415 : Joseph PETIT (B) – Pierre BARBIER (FRA) – Andrew JONES (RSA)
3 T5 trucks: driver/co-driver
5 T5 cars for the mechanics
For the two cars prepared by DESSOUDE MOTORSPORT:
Team Manager: André DESSOUDE
Technical Manager: Richard DIVILA
Logistics: Géraldine DESHAYES
Electronics: Dany DEBROISE
Warehouse: Fabrice DESSOUDE
Medical: Alex BERAHA
6 mechanics
1 T4 truck :
N° 435 : Daniel DUNAND (FRA) - Michel PLATEAU (FRA) – Michel TARGEZ (FRA)
2 T5 trucks: driver/co-driver
2 T5 cars for the mechanics
NISSAN PICKUP DAKAR-TYPE SPECIFICATIONS
(Prototype)
Dimensions Length 4880mm
Width 1840mm
Wheelbase 2950mm
Track 1640mm
Engine Based on the VQ series of engines (4 valves per
cylinder. 4 cams. All-aluminium engine) 3.5 litres
Bore/stroke 95.5 x 81.4
Max. output 280 bhp at 5000 rpm
Max. torque 37 mkg at 4000 rpm
Clutch Twin plate 7.5” configuration
Throttle system Twin roller throttle system for inlet air
Sump Oiling system – dry sump configuration
Engine mngt syst. Fully programmable Pectel “T6” with internal logging, which captures engine performance history
Transmission Six speed sequential gearbox with centre differential and single reverse
Suspension Front : double wishbone with coil spring carrier and
3” shock absorber, configured to give suspension travel
of 250mm
Rear : live rear axle located by a three-link system, coil spring carrier and 3” shock absorber, configured to give suspension travel of 300mm
Rear axle Is a 233mm Patrol axle and front axle is a centre portion Patrol 233mm with motorsport constructed diff-housing
Brakes Front and rear – AP four piston callipers with 305mm ventilated discs – adjustable balance front and rear
Wheels Rims 16 x 7” magnesium alloy
Tyres BF Goodrich - Rims 7 x 16
Fuel Tank Capacity 500 litres
Steering Power assisted rack and pinion
Differential Limited slip differential front and rear
Maximum speed 185 km/h
Weight (empty) 1800 kg
Roll Cage Fully integrated roll cage
Body panels Composite bonnet, rear quarter, front bumper and fender panels
Chassis Standard chassis extensively modified and integrated roll cage system for improved torsional rigidity and durability
Onboard equipment Recaro seats, 6” Sabelt seatbelts, odometers, extinguishers, Spa fire fighting system, communication system by Peltor
NISSAN PICKUP IRS DAKAR-TYPE SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions Length 4880mm
Width 1840mm
Wheelbase 2950mm
Track 1640mm
Engine Based on the VQ series of engines (4 valves per cyl.
4 cam. All-aluminium engine) 3.5 litres
Bore/stroke 95.5 x 81.4
Max. output 280 bhp at 5000 rpm
Max. torque 37 mkg at 4000 rpm
Clutch Twin plate 7.5” configuration
Throttle system Twin roller throttle system for inlet air
Sump Oiling system – dry sump configuration
Engine mngt syst. Fully programmable Pectel “T6” with internal logging, which captures engine performance history
Transmission Six speed sequential gearbox with centre differential and single reverse
Suspension Front : double wishbone with coil spring carrier and
3” shock absorber, configured to give suspension travel of 250mm
Rear : double wishbone with coil spring carrier and
3” shock absorber, configured to give suspension travel of 250mm
Front & Rear axles Front and rear axles are centre portions from Patrol 233mm rear axle with motorsport constructed diff-housing
Brakes Front and rear – AP four piston callipers with 305mm ventilated discs – adjustable balance front and rear
Wheels Rims 16 x 7” magnesium alloy
Tyres BF Goodrich - Rims 7 x 16
Fuel Tank Capacity 500 litres
Steering Power assisted rack and pinion
Differential Limited slip differential front and rear
Maximum speed 185 km/h
Weight (empty) 1800 kg
Roll Cage Fully integrated roll cage
Body panels Composite bonnet, rear quarter, front bumper and fender panels
Chassis Standard chassis extensively modified and integrated roll cage system for improved torsional rigidity and durability
Onboard equipment: Recaro seats, 6” Sabelt seatbelts, odometers, extinguishers, Spa fire fighting system, communication system by Peltor
TELEFONICA DAKAR 2003 ROUTE
30 & 31 December 2002 Scrutineering in Marseille (Parc Chanot)
Wednesday 1 January 2003 MARSEILLE - NARBONNE: 265 km
Prologue :1km. Parc Chanot (night)-Liaison : 264km
Thursday 2 January NARBONNE - CASTELLON: 540 kmLiaison : 540km (A 40-km stage may be added)
Friday 3 January CASTELLON-VALENCIA: 450 km
Liaison : 5km – Special Stage : 25km – Liaison : 60km
Boarding to Tunis (1 day and 2 nights)
Saturday 4 January Boat Transfer to Tunisia
Sunday 5 January TUNIS – TOZEUR : 463 km
Liaison : 89km – Special Stage: 25km – Liaison : 349km
Assistance route: 450km
Monday 6 January TOZEUR – EL BORMA: 278 km
Liaison : 13km – Special Stage : 228km – Liaison : 37km
Assistance route: 298km
Tuesday 7 January EL BORMA – GHADAMES : 278 km
Liaison : 13km – Special Stage: 228km – Liaison : 37km
Assistance route : 298km
Wednesday 8 January GHADAMES – GHAT : 691 km
Liaison : 5km – Special Stage: 584km – Liaison : 181km
Marathon leg. No assistance at the bivouac.
Assistance route to Sabha: 837km
Thursday 9 January GHAT – SABHA: 727 km
Liaison : 46km – Special Stage: 497km – Liaison : 181km
Friday 10 January SABHA – ZILLA : 585 km
Liaison : 6km – Special Stage: 567km – Liaison : 12km
Assistance route: 506km
Saturday 11 January ZILLA – SARIR : 554 km – Pas de GPS
Liaison : 31km – Special Stage : 521km – Liaison : 2km
Assistance route: 740km
Sunday 12 January SARIR – SIWA: 586 km Liaison : 1km – Special Stage: 438km – Liaison : 147km
Assistance route: 735km
Monday 13 January Rest day in SIWA
Tuesday 14 January SIWA – SIWA : 445 km
Liaison : 57km – Special Stage: 341km – Liaison : 47km
Assistance route: 55km
Wednesday 15 January SIWA – DAKHLA : 657 km
Liaison : 47km – Special Stage : 569km – Liaison : 41km
Assistance route: 920km
Thursday 16 January DAKHLA – LOUXOR : 702 km
Liaison : 53km – Special Stage : 274km – Liaison : 375km
Assistance route: 542km
Fridayi 17 January LOUXOR – ABU RISH : 56 km – No GPS
Liaison : 13km – Special Stage: 34km – Liaison : 9km
Saturday 18 January ABU RISH – SHARM EL SHEIKH: 828 km
Liaison : 413km – Special Stage : 365km – Liaison : 50km
Assistance route: 634km
Sunday 19 January SHARM EL SHEIKH – SHARM EL SHEIKH: 56 km
Liaison : 13km – Special Stage: 34km – Liaison : 9km
Details of the competition
17 stages: • 3 in Europe
• 3 in Tunisia
• 5 in Libya
• 6 in Egypt
A total of 8 552 km, including 5 216 km of special stages and 3 306 km of liaison.
In Africa:
• 7 642 km in total, including 5 205 km of specials
• 7.797 km for the assistance
• 1 rest day: Siwa
• 1 loop stage: Siwa - Siwa
• 1 marathon stage without assistance: Ghadamès - Ghat
• 2 stages without GPS: Silla - Zarir et Louxor - Abu Rish
• Longest stage: Abu Rish - Sharm El Sheikh (828 km)
• Shortest stage: Sharm El Sheikh - Sharm El Sheikh (56 km)
• Longest special stage: Ghadames - Ghat (584 km)
• Shortest special stage: Tunis - Tozeur (25 km)
NISSAN RALLY RAID TEAM PRESS CONTACTS
• PRESS RELATIONS
Wayne Bruce Head of PR 01923 899930
e-mail: wayne.bruce@nissan.co.uk
Linda Robinson Senior Press Officer, Product Affairs 01923 899932
e-mail: linda.robinson@nissan.co.uk
Gloria Maydew Senior Press Officer, Product Affairs 01923 899937
e-mail: gloria.maydew@nissan.co.uk
Terry Steeden Press Officer, Product Affairs 01923 899938
e-mail: terry.steeden@nissan.co.uk
• PHOTOS
An Internet site for the NISSAN RALLY RAID TEAM is available to download high-definition photos (copyright free for the editorial press only).
During the race, you will be able to download new pictures every day.
To access the site, type in the address followed by the identification fields as follows:
address : www.nissanpresse.com
name : nissan2003
password : media
• INTERNET
Official website: nissan-dakar.com
32253/191202