Mini All 4 Racing score one-two on 2012 Dakar
Stephane Peterhansel and his co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret have made it to the end of the last of 14 demanding stages, the French duo and their green MINI ALL4 Raid car were confirmed as the winners of the legendary Rally Dakar in a time of 38h 54m 46s. Remarkably, this was Peterhansel's tenth victory on the Dakar, he has already claimed six titles on a motorcycle, and now has four wins in the car category.
Dr. Kay Segler, Senior Vice President, MINI Brand Management and Business Coordination said: "On behalf of MINI,I would like to congratulate Stephane Peterhansel, his co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret and the entire X-raid Team on their triumph on the 2012 Rally Dakar. To stand on the top step of the podium on ten occasions after the toughest rally in the world is quite simply an unbelievable achievement. Sven Quandtrsquo's team has once again proven its class with all five MINI ALL4 Racings finishing in the top ten".
Spain's Joan Nani Roma co driven by Frenchman Michel Peacuterin, also driving a MINI ALL4 Racing, finished runner-up, completing the one-two for the German Monster Energy X-raid Team. When the rally came to a close in Lima, Peru, the gap between the two leading MINI cars was nearly 42 minutes. There were 30 finishers in the car category.
On the eve of the 2012 Monte Carlo Rally, the Dakar result is bound to quicken the pulses of BMW's executive board in Munich as the Prodrive run works team prepares for its first all out assault on a round of the World Rally Championship.
16th January, 2012