History 1990s

1991 Paris–Tripoli–Dakar Rally (France–Libya–Niger–Mali–Mauritania–Senegal)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1991 Paris–Tripoli–Dakar Rally (France–Libya–Niger–Mali–Mauritania–Senegal)

Date: December 29, 1990 – January 17, 1991

Start Location: Paris, France

Finish Location: Dakar, Senegal

Total Distance: 9,186 km (total route), 6,747 km (competitive)

Surface: Gravel, sand, desert

The 1991 edition of the world’s toughest rally raid featured a new route that passed through Tripoli, Libya, on its way to the West African coast. Ari Vatanen and Bruno Berglund, now driving for Citroën, dominated the event in the all-new ZX Rallye Raid prototype. Their consistent pace and mechanical reliability allowed them to fend off factory challengers in an unforgiving terrain marked by political uncertainty and punishing dune crossings.

Route

France to Libya: Initial liaison stages gave way to the vast Libyan desert, with minimal landmarks and searing heat.
Niger and Mali: Long stages through remote, rocky plains and unpredictable weather near the Sahel.
Mauritania to Dakar: Final push through deep sand, dunes, and camel grass before reaching Lac Rose in Senegal.

The rally covered vast expanses of African desert, testing endurance, navigation, and machinery over weeks of competitive stages:

Political negotiations made this route particularly sensitive, especially during the Tripoli passage—requiring strict adherence to local regulations and GPS accuracy.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Ari Vatanen & Bruno Berglund · Citroën ZX Rallye Raid
2nd Place
Hubert Auriol & Philippe Monnet · Mitsubishi Pajero
3rd Place
Pierre Lartigue & Michel Périn · Citroën ZX Rallye Raid

Vatanen’s return to victory showed his unmatched skill in the desert—leading from the front and never letting the competition catch him across thousands of unforgiving kilometers.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Desert Mastery: Deep sand, soft dunes, and extreme heat challenged both driver stamina and vehicle cooling systems.
  • Political Detours: The Tripoli passage added a layer of complexity—teams had to follow strict diplomatic protocols.
  • Mechanical Survival: Vatanen’s smooth driving style preserved the Citroën’s components, while others pushed too hard and paid the price.

The 1991 Paris–Tripoli–Dakar wasn’t just about speed—it was about resilience, diplomacy, and flawless teamwork. Vatanen and Citroën rose to the occasion in every category.

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