They’ll be racing a car a bit sturdier than the Mini you had when you were 18, but from 5th to 18th January 2014, MINI will line up with the MINI ALL4 Racing at the Rally Dakar. In 2012 and 2013 MINI was the car to beat at the toughest marathon rally in the world. Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel won the last two editions of the Dakar at the wheel of a MINI ALL4 Racing run by the Trebur-based X-raid Team (DE).
Stéphane Peterhansel MINI ALL4 Racing #300
The MINI victory in 2012 came as a surprise to many, but as Jochen Goller, Senior Vice President MINI said, “its title defense in 2013 proved that the initial victory was no coincidence.“
The 36th Rally Dakar is already seen as the toughest since the event moved from Africa to the South American continent in 2009. This time around, the competitors must master a route of over 9,000 kilometres.
“The X-raid Team has prepared meticulously for what is undoubtedly a major challenge for both man and machine”, says Goller. “With the MINI ALL4 Racing the team employs a vehicle that has successfully shown its character in international long-distance events. Reliability, endurance and agility are the character traits of the MINI ALL4 Racing. Character traits that are required to be successful when competing in the Rally Dakar.“
Fancy entering the Dakar rally? You’re too late for this year, but follow the race here.
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