History 2000s

2001 Dakar Rally (Paris–Dakar, France to Senegal)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2001 Dakar Rally (Paris–Dakar)

Date: January 1–21, 2001

Start Location: Paris, France

Finish Location: Dakar, Senegal

Total Distance: ~10,700 km

Competitive Stages: ~6,700 km

Surface: Mixed Terrain (Desert, Sand, Gravel, Rocks, Savannah)

The 2001 edition of the Dakar Rally followed the classic westbound route from Paris to Dakar, crossing through France, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, and Senegal. Jutta Kleinschmidt delivered a landmark performance, combining speed, strategic navigation, and endurance to claim overall victory — the first time a woman won the legendary event in its history.

Route

Moroccan Atlas: Rocky mountain passes and early navigation traps defined the first major off-road tests.
Western Sahara & Mauritania: Endless dunes, deep camel grass, and shifting sands pushed drivers to the brink of endurance.
Mali to Senegal: Fast savannah tracks with dense foliage and dry river crossings — final legs demanded caution and concentration.

The rally featured a brutal 21-day itinerary with nearly 11,000 km of terrain. Major segments included:

Minimal outside support and brutal conditions throughout ensured that only the best-prepared crews would reach the finish line in Dakar.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Jutta Kleinschmidt & Andreas Schulz · Mitsubishi Pajero
2nd Place
Hiroshi Masuoka & Pascal Maimon · Mitsubishi Pajero
3rd Place
Jean-Louis Schlesser & Henri Magne · Schlesser-Renault Buggy

Kleinschmidt’s steady approach and clean navigation gave her the edge over teammates and rivals. Masuoka showed speed but couldn’t recover lost time, while Schlesser’s buggy excelled in the dunes but struggled in rocky sections.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Navigation Complexity: GPS limitations meant co-drivers had to rely on road books and landmarks — Schulz’s accuracy was vital to Kleinschmidt’s success.
  • Mechanical Attrition: Rough dunes and rock fields caused hundreds of retirements — Mitsubishi’s preparation paid off with multiple cars finishing in the top five.
  • Historic Milestone: Kleinschmidt’s victory broke barriers in motorsport and was widely celebrated as a breakthrough moment for female competitors globally.

The 2001 Paris–Dakar Rally was a test of endurance, navigation, and resilience — and Jutta Kleinschmidt’s triumph stands as one of the event’s most iconic and groundbreaking moments.

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