The competition history of the Nissan Pickup started with entries, and then titles, in the South African Off-Road Championship, in which country the race version was developed for the first time. The successes encountered in South Africa, on rough conditions, made a number of people contemplate the potential that such a vehicle could have on the Dakar.
In 2002, the car was entered for the first time in the most famous trans-African marathon by a private team (Team Nissan France Dessoude), the first to take a gamble on the car. A daring gesture, considering the difference in length between the South African races and the Dakar, but one that was crowned by more than encouraging results. The Pickup won a number of stages, and managed to reach the finish line.
In September 2002, when Nissan announced its official participation in rally raid competition with the Nissan Pickup, a true race programme was put into place, and the Nissan Rally Raid Team was born. Considering its experience with the Pickup, the competition division of Nissan South Africa was charged with building the cars, which were entered on the 2003 Dakar.
Once more, the Pickup proved its reliability and competitiveness. Ari Vatanen claimed five stage wins, while Giniel de Villiers, the talented young South African finished 5th in the overall classification. During the season, the Nissan Rally Raid Team took part in a number of rounds of the World Cup for Cross-Country rallies, to continue working on the development and reliability of the car. After the Rally of Tunisia and the Baja of Portugal, Giniel de Villiers and Tina Thorner claimed their first win during the Rally of Morocco. This was also the first win for the Pickup in the World Cup.
Today, the new Nissan is a radical evolution of the Pickup which finished fifth in Dakar last January, designed to adapt to a new itinerary and to take the competitors to the final podium, in the capital of Senegal…
This new generation of the Pickup, with its stocky silhouette, is, like its predecessor, driven by the competition version of the production VQ 3.5 litre, 6 cylinder engine; the spaceframe chassis is nearly identical, using the same suspension. The most significant changes are in the styling, although these changes have not been done following strict esthetical rules. The 2004 model has been designed to improve the aerodynamic profile, in order to achieve a higher top speed and better visibility.
Tests conducted in the wind tunnel have shown that the new bodywork corresponds perfectly with the performance criteria laid down in the work brief. Moreover, the significant reduction in the front overhang, the improvement in the protection beneath the bodywork and a more generous clearance should allow the team to better face the rocky routes and the dunes. Finally, thanks to a front bonnet with decidedly plunging lines, the difficult terrain should be faced with increased confidence.
The wheelbase has been shortened by 150 mm, the body work had been widened and the internal proportions have been increased for the increased comfort of the crew. With a capacity of 500 litres, the fuel tank is now placed beneath the cockpit, giving a better weight distribution; in this way, even as the fuel level diminishes, the car’s handling will not alter much. The closed section at the back of the bodywork improves its behaviour in the wind. Moreover, the weight of the new Pickup corresponds to the limits set in the T2 class, whereas its predecessor was 60 kg over the minimum weight.
The 2003 version quickly proved to be more than satisfactory in terms of longevity, reliability and ease of maintenance on the terrain. For the 2004 version, each piece has been improved or totally redesigned.
The six-speed sequential gearbox and the front and rear differentials remain the same, despite a slight improvement brought to the torque. The cooling system is the same, except for the hot air flux, which is now expelled in a fashion which contributes to the aerodynamic downforce. Finally, the diameter of the brake discs has been slightly increased to take account of the higher top speed.
The Nissan Pickup 2004 has therefore been built on a solid basis, that of the excellent 2003 prototype, which reached Sharm-el-Sheikh, on January 19th earlier this year, in fifth position in the overall classification of the Dakar.
For the 2004 edition of the Dakar, the aim is clear : to reach the capital city of Senegal and claim a place on the final podium.
NISSAN 2004 PICKUP SPECIFICATIONS
Engine |
Based on VQ35 (4 valves per cylinder. 4 cam all-aluminium engine) six cylinder engine. With variable valve timing |
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Bore / stroke |
95.5 x 81.4 |
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Max Output |
200 kW at 5000 rpm |
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Max Torque |
360 Nm at 4000 rpm |
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Clutch |
Multi Plate |
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Inlet |
Roller throttle injection system |
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Oil System |
Dry sump configuration |
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Engine Management |
Pectel, fully programmable, with engine history logging |
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Transmission |
Six speed sequential gearbox with centre differential and single reverse |
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Suspension |
Front and Rear |
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Double wishbone with dual coil-over dampers Max permissible travel for T2 250 mm |
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Differentials |
Front and Rear units have centre portions from Nissan Patrol with motorsport constructed housings and limited slip |
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Brakes |
Front and rear – AP four piston callipers with 320 mm ventilated discs |
Wheels and Tyres |
16” Magnesium Alloy rims with BF Goodrich tyres |
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Fuel Tank |
500 litre tank for long distance liaison and stages |
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Steering |
Motorsport constructed, power assisted rack and pinion |
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Maximum Speed |
Estimated 190 km/h |
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Weight (Dry) |
1750 kg (T2 min weight 1750kg) |
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Chassis |
200-element roll cage, incorporating all suspension pick-up points and attachment points for body work and ancillaries. Enlarged cabin area, compared with the 2003 IRS Pickup for improved comfort and visibility. |
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Body Parts |
The revised body shape for improved aerodynamics and visibility is of composite construction. Rear wing produces rear down force for stability at speed. |
Departure: 1st of January from Clermont-Ferrand (France)
Finish: 18th of January in Dakar (Senegal)
• Three days in Europe…
1st of January : Prologue - France
2nd of January: 1st special stage - France
3rd of January : 2nd special stage – Spain
• Five African countries…
From 4th to 18th of January:
The 2004 route will cross five African countries: Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Senegal and Burkina Faso.
• Competition…
1 Prologue
16 special stages, including 2 in Europe and 14 in Africa
2 marathon stages (without assistance)
1 rest day at Bobodioulasso (Burkina Faso) on 12th of January
After departure from France on 1st of January, the rally will rapidly cross Spain to reach Morocco by the 3rd of January. The route on the African continent will have the magnificent and challenging Moroccan trails as a backdrop, enabling competitors to pick up the rhythm of the race. Entering Mauritania will mark the beginning of the real difficulties, with a sequence of several very long and unexpected stages. The challenge will be to maintain the proper course while crossing ergs, during navigation stages, or along the rocky trails of the Adrar plateau.
And then there is the scorching Sahel desert with its multitude of small parallel tracks where it is extremely difficult to find one’s way. The goal of those who successfully pass these obstacles will be the day of rest. After the hardships of the desert, you will linger in an oasis of peace and bountiful nature: Bobodioulasso, the pearl of Burkina-Faso.
The end of the event will be of the same character, with a variety of Sahel desert stages, leading the convoy to the Senegalese savannah, before reaching the banks of the Lac Rose.
Compared to the last edition, the stages will be longer, with plenty of crossings and navigation. Endurance will be a determining factor, to reach Dakar.
ARI VATANEN (FIN) DRIVER
Born 27th 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. Ari is a member of the European Parliament for Finland since 1999. He joined the Nissan Rally Raid Team on Dakar 2003 and won 5 stages to finish in 7th overall position.
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 Drivers1983 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
1996 1st overall Spanish Baja
1st overall Master Rally
1ST overall Hong Kong-Beijing Rally
1997 1st overall Atlas Rally
1st overall Portuguese Baja
1st overall Master Rally
1st overall UAE Desert Challenge
Wins the World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies
2003 Dakar with the Nissan Pickup – 5 wins in special stages and 7th overall