For the fifth year in succession a Ricardo transmission has been used by Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart in the successful defence of its winning position at Dakar, the world’s toughest and most famous off-road rally.

Stéphane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret of France won the event for the third time in four years, ahead of team mates and defending champions Luc Alphand and Gilles Picard by just seven minutes 26 seconds. The team’s two Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero Evolutions with their Ricardo transmissions had a winning margin of over 1.5 hours ahead their third place rival.  The gruelling Dakar rally took place over 15 days across Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali and Sénégal, and represents the seventh successive victory at this event for Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart.

The Ricardo transmission used by the Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero Evolutions of Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart is the third generation of the unit first introduced in 2002.  In addition to being designed and manufactured by Ricardo, the company also provides technical back-up to the team for the transmission in order to ensure its faultless operation even in the most demanding of circumstances. 

Mark Barge, Ricardo director of high performance transmission products, said: “We congratulate Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart on yet another successful victory at the Dakar Rally and are pleased to have collaborated in the supply and support of Ricardo transmissions used on its Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero Evolutions. Dakar is one of the most challenging events in world motorsport which tests the endurance, durability and performance of the team, crew and vehicle alike.  It’s an achievement with which we are proud to be associated.”