| In its fifth year, the Mitsubishi Pajero entered the 9th Paris - Algiers - Dakar
as one of the strongest contenders with, at this stage, an established history
of success. Backed by Nikon and Citizen, long-term partners of Mitsubishi in
off-road rallying, the two teams of official Mitsubishi Pajeros set off from
Paris with high hopes backed by the faith held in the Pajero as the King of the
Desert. Cowan and Syers were again present as the leading entry with Riga and
Maingret, and Da Silva and Oligo. A further 54 Pajeros were entered, including
some names that were fast becoming familiar in "Dakar" folklore such as
Jean-Pierre Fontenay, and Japanese star Kenjiro Shinozuka, who at this time was
better known for his amazing exploits in World Championship "sprint" rallying.
The event provided yet another epic battled as the cars, trucks and motorbikes
battled for supremacy in the desert of 13,000 km
with 18 competitive sections totalling a massive 8,300 km. Again the rally
traversed the toughest terrain in the world under searing sun and high
temperatures, crossing the Sahara, the infamous Tenere and the African Savannah
of central and Western Africa. It was an awesome challenge, and not one to be
undertaken lightly. The Mitsubishi Pajeros were often the front runners,
especially da Silva who ran as high as third against the stiffest opposition
witnessed. But once again, the the toughest and most telling class of all, the
Marathon category - the proving ground for the "real" standard machine, the
Pajero totally dominated. The prototype version held their own but victory would
have to wait for another year as Shinozuka finished an incredible third overall
and top Mitsubishi, making his mark as one of the world's best and most rounded
and experienced drivers. Cowan, the old master, was eighth.
FINAL CLASSIFICATION
1987 Paris - Alger - Dakar Rally
| Pos. |
Car No. |
Driver |
Manufacture |
Total Time |
| 1. |
205 |
VATANEN/GIROUX |
Peugeo |
55.25.54 |
| 2. |
193 |
ZANIROLI/LOPES |
Rang/R |
01.15.36 |
| 3. |
309 |
SHINOZUKA/FENOUIL |
MITSUBISHI/PAJERO |
04.23.16 |
| 4. |
197 |
RATET/VANTOUROUX |
TOYOTA |
06.28.25 |
| 5. |
206 |
MEHTA/DOUGHTY |
Peugeo |
07.02.17 |
| 6. |
435 |
SEPPI/ARRIVABENE |
Merced |
07.53.48 |
| 7. |
198 |
CANELLAS/FERRAN |
Range |
08.21.23 |
| 8. |
188 |
COWAN/SYER |
MITSUBISHI/PAJERO |
09.36.14 |
| 9. |
211 |
PRIETO/TERMENS |
NISSAN |
11.26.47 |
| 10. |
199 |
PORCAR/TOURINAN |
Range |
12.04.41 |
|