History Event 2000s

2002 Dakar Rally (France to Senegal)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2002 Dakar Rally (France to Senegal)

Date: January 28 – February 14, 2002

Start Location: Arras, France

Finish Location: Dakar, Senegal

Total Distance: ~9,600 km

Competitive Stages: ~5,300 km

Surface: Mixed Terrain (sand, rock, gravel, dunes, savannah)

The 2002 Dakar Rally featured a new starting point in Arras, France, and retraced the iconic north–south route through Europe and Africa to finish in Dakar. Hiroshi Masuoka, co-driven by Pascal Maimon, dominated the event in his Mitsubishi Pajero, combining consistency, mechanical reliability, and superb navigation to claim a long-awaited and hard-earned victory in the world’s toughest rally raid.

Route

France & Spain: Opening stages on tarmac and gravel as the event transitioned into Africa via ferry to Morocco.
Morocco & Western Sahara: Rocky mountain passes, desert flats, and the first major navigation tests.
Mauritania & Mali: Soft dunes and long camel grass stages, punished navigation errors and mechanical wear.
Senegal: Fast, sandy tracks and water crossings, final legs through savannah and open bush to Dakar.

The rally route crossed multiple countries and a variety of terrains, testing both endurance and adaptability. Major route segments included:

Weather conditions ranged from cold rain in Europe to extreme heat in Africa, pushing both driver and vehicle endurance to the limit.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Hiroshi Masuoka & Pascal Maimon · Mitsubishi Pajero
2nd Place
Stéphane Peterhansel & Jean-Paul Cottret · Nissan Navara
3rd Place
Jean-Louis Schlesser & Henri Magne · Schlesser-Renault Buggy

Masuoka built his lead steadily across the early African legs and defended it smartly through the dunes. Peterhansel returned to form in a Nissan, while Schlesser’s buggy excelled in sand but struggled in rocky terrain and long straights.

Car Highlights

  • Mitsubishi Pajero: Tough, reliable, and capable across every surface, Masuoka’s well-prepared car handled the dunes and rocks without major issue.
  • Nissan Navara: New entry with strong potential, fast and agile but lacked the Pajero’s rugged endurance.
  • Schlesser-Renault Buggy: Excellent in soft sand but fragile over jagged rocks and vulnerable to mechanical issues during long liaisons.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Route-Finding: The Mauritanian dunes and unmarked desert trails tested co-driver skill, Maimon’s navigation was flawless.
  • Mechanical Survival: Punctures, drivetrain failures, and cooling issues decimated the field, Mitsubishi’s prep paid off.
  • Endurance Fatigue: 17 days of competition wore down many top crews, Masuoka’s pacing and rhythm proved vital to his success.

Hiroshi Masuoka’s victory in 2002 was the product of a perfect balance between caution and commitment, a breakout win for the Japanese driver and a defining moment for Mitsubishi’s rally raid legacy.

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