Compromised Internals

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1984 Paris–Dakar Rally (France–Algeria–Ivory Coast–Burkina Faso–Senegal)

Date: January 1–20, 1984

Start Location: Paris, France

Finish Location: Dakar, Senegal

Total Distance: ~3,000 km of special stages

Surface: Gravel and sand

The 1984 Paris–Dakar Rally saw Porsche’s bold 911-based all-wheel-drive entry, the 953, achieve a historic win. Through deserts, jungles, and savannahs, René Metge and Dominique Lemoyne showcased mechanical durability, navigational skill, and tactical speed. The route covered over 11,000 km in total distance, including ~3,000 km of timed specials across some of the world’s harshest terrain.

Route

Algerian Sahara: Vast dunes, salt plains, and navigation-by-compass through featureless desert.

Ivory Coast: Jungle tracks with oppressive humidity, river crossings, and sudden mud pits.

Burkina Faso: Rocky outcrops and narrow tracks through dry grasslands and scrub forests.

Traversing five countries and a wide range of African ecosystems, the 1984 edition included:

Survival—not just speed—was the true metric of success, and Porsche’s AWD innovation proved decisive on the unpredictable terrain.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner

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2nd Place

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3rd Place

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Navigation & Challenges

Sandstorms and Heat: Engine cooling and filtration were constant concerns in the Sahara.
Jungle Hazards: Narrow trails and water crossings threatened drivetrains and visibility.
Minimal Assistance: Crews often had to self-recover from dunes and breakdowns far from support vehicles.

The 1984 Paris–Dakar was a landmark event that marked the beginning of Porsche’s short but legendary run in rally raid—and a breakthrough for AWD technology in the desert.

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