Dakar Rally news

Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart were the beneficiaries from a dramatic ninth special stage. When leader Giniel de Villiers was badly delayed with a burning turbo and archrival Carlos Sainz stopped with electrical woes, two Mitsubishi crews moved to first and second overall position.

"When I saw De Villiers had stopped and there was a fire on his car, it was unbelievable," said Peterhansel. "He had driven a great race so far. After that I knew we were in a good position, but we had our own problems with the clutch and spent 15 minutes changing it. Then I saw Carlos stopped after a big jump. But we had a puncture near the end and I had to change the wheel."

"I had a good stage position today," said Masuoka. "But I think I could have won the special. I had two flat tires and stopped again once to check. That was, perhaps, the difference between winning the stage and finishing fourth."

"I said to many people that the differences between the drivers at the rest day were very small," said Dominique Serieys. "It was a very positive day, but we have to take great care now" said MMSP’s President Isao Torii. "We will do our best. I feel very sorry for Volkswagen, but that is the nature of this rally.”