History 1990s

1993 Paris–Dakar Rally (Paris–Tanger–Dakar)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1993 Paris–Dakar Rally (Paris–Tanger–Dakar)

Date: January 1–16, 1993

Start Location: Paris, France

Finish Location: Dakar, Senegal

Total Distance: 8,877 km (4,476 km competitive)

Surface: Sand, gravel, rock, and off-road desert terrain

The 1993 Paris–Dakar Rally carried competitors from the winter streets of France to the sun-blasted dunes of Senegal. Through Morocco, Mauritania, and the heart of the Sahara, drivers faced shifting sands, rocky passes, and extreme fatigue. Bruno Saby, a veteran of WRC and raid events, paired with Dominique Serieys to win in a Mitsubishi Pajero, leveraging mechanical durability, strategic navigation, and a measured driving style. Their victory marked another milestone for Mitsubishi in its long raid racing legacy.

Route

France to Tangier: Liaison stages from Paris to the ferry crossing—civilian roads with timed checkpoints.

Morocco: Rocky pistes and dry valleys—suspension stress and dust management were early concerns.

Mauritania and Senegal: Deep sand, erg crossings, and navigation-by-compass through dunes—where the rally was won or lost.

The trans-African rally traversed diverse and hostile environments over two weeks of intense competition:

Fatigue, navigation errors, and mechanical strain thinned the field each day—Saby and Serieys avoided drama, built consistency, and pounced when rivals faltered.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner

Bruno Saby & Dominique Serieys · Mitsubishi Pajero

2nd Place

Hubert Auriol & Philippe Monnet · Citroën ZX Rallye Raid

3rd Place

Ari Vatanen & Bruno Berglund · Peugeot 405 T16 Grand Raid

Saby’s win added his name to Dakar’s elite and gave Mitsubishi another dominant showing in raid racing’s most storied event.

Navigation & Challenges

Desert Navigation: GPS was limited—teams used compass bearings and road books in featureless dunes.
Fatigue Management: Crews drove 10–12 hours per day for two weeks—mental stamina was as critical as vehicle condition.
Mechanical Survival: Heat and sand damaged radiators, brakes, and engines—Saby’s conservative approach helped avoid costly breakdowns.

The 1993 Dakar wasn’t about raw speed—it was about resilience, precision, and endurance. Bruno Saby’s victory was a masterclass in how to conquer the world’s toughest rally.

← Previous Event 1992 Lombard RAC Rally (Great Britain)

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