Mitsubishi Prepares for 2007 Dakar Rally

In the same way that Ferrari is known for its dominance on the world's racetracks in Formula One, Mitsubishi has quite the reputation when it comes to taking its cars off the paved path. There’s the FIA and SCCA sanctioned rally championships, which at one time were dominated by various versions of the Lancer Evolution series, not to mention the Dakar rally that’s considered to be the most difficult, grueling rally race on the face of the planet. Mitsubishi has run in the Dakar rally since 1983, and in those 25 years it has won 12 times - it’s no wonder

Here are the two vehicle types Mitsubishi will be running at this year's Dakar (Photo: Mitsubishi)

that the brand is starting to use race footage in some of its advertisements.

The 2007 running of the Dakar rally sees Mitsubishi enteringa new version of its evergreen Pajero (Montero) Evolution three-door, the platform it’s used since the very beginning. Like the production car, it sports

The four Dakar Pajeros, their drivers and navigators. (Photo: Mitsubishi)

a new nose with a new grille and new headlamps, but unlike the version that consumers can buy, it has gullwing doors because the fuel tank in the race car has been moved, forcing the door sills higher up. Various other enhancements have been made to the vehicle including a new kind of tubular frame and repositioned internal components to reduce the center of gravity. In total, Mitsubishi will be running four MPR13s in the race, driven by seasoned rally and Dakar racer veterans.

The

Splashy-splashy! A Pajero during team practice. (Photo: Mitsubishi)

Japanese manufacturer has just spent ten days physically preppingits Dakar rally team in France, and entered some of the participants in the 2006 Race of Champions. The brand’s motorsports arm has been pleased with the results. Even with its stellar success rate, winning this year’s race won’t be a walk in the park as the MPR13 will face stiff competition from a variety of different vehicles, most formidably being Volkswagen’s race-prepped Touareg TDI. In many ways, the Dakar race can be considered the off-roading equivalent to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as the pathways and stages are shared with multiple classes of vehicles including

So odd, but oh so cool. (Photo: Mitsubishi)

massive 6X6 wheeled trucks, buggies, endurance motorcycles etc.

To give enthusiasts and onlookers a little something to keep their eyes peeled, Mitsubishi will be running a rally-prepped Delica D:5 minivan wearing the same livery, a vehicle that will act as the team's support car. The production vehicle looks a whole lot like a brick with a chiseled nose, and admittedly, in the red Respol team color, it's a sight that could just about be classified as comical. Nevertheless, just like the Pajeros it's been beefed up to endure the desert conditions and the generally punishing nature of the event.

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