History 1990s

1993–1994 Paris–Dakar–Paris Rally

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1993–1994 Paris–Dakar–Paris Rally

Date: December 28, 1993 – January 16, 1994

Start Location: Paris, France

Finish Location: Paris, France

Total Distance: 13,379 km (4,446 km competitive)

Surface: Mixed desert terrain – sand, gravel, rock, and dirt

For the first time in its history, the Dakar Rally became a true round-trip: starting and ending in Paris, the route led competitors through some of the harshest terrain in North Africa before looping back north. Covering over 13,000 kilometers, the Paris–Dakar–Paris was the ultimate test of endurance and navigation. Pierre Lartigue and co-driver Michel Périn proved nearly untouchable in their Citroën ZX Rallye Raid, blending speed with mechanical sympathy to take a commanding win in one of the most demanding cross-continental events ever staged.

Route

France & Spain: Initial road liaison and ceremonial stages before ferrying into Africa.
Morocco: Rocky mountain passes and hard-packed gravel sections—early attrition for unprepared teams.
Mauritania & Mali: Vast dune fields, camel grass, and deep sand stages—navigation was critical.
Niger & Algeria: Harsh desert zones with intense heat and minimal margin for error—brutal on suspensions and tires.
Return to France: After looping north through the Maghreb, competitors crossed back into Europe for the final push to Paris.

The route passed through eight countries, combining European roads, African dunes, and rocky plateaus:

Mechanical attrition and navigational mistakes wiped out large portions of the field—only the most disciplined crews survived the full loop.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Pierre Lartigue & Michel Périn · Citroën ZX Rallye Raid
2nd Place
Hubert Auriol & Philippe Monnet · Citroën ZX Rallye Raid
3rd Place
Kenjiro Shinozuka & Henri Magne · Mitsubishi Pajero

Lartigue’s relentless pace and near-flawless consistency delivered an emphatic victory for Citroën, further cementing their dominance in rally raid competition.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Dual-Continent Route: Navigation complexity doubled with re-entry into Europe—roadbook precision was vital.
  • Extreme Terrain: Shifting sand dunes, riverbeds, and rocky escarpments punished suspension systems and tires relentlessly.
  • Logistical Fatigue: With minimal rest between stages, fatigue became a greater enemy than terrain—Lartigue and Périn managed both flawlessly.

The 1993–1994 Paris–Dakar–Paris Rally was a one-of-a-kind odyssey—Pierre Lartigue’s triumph was both a personal and mechanical victory on rally raid’s most ambitious canvas.

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