MOTORSPORT: Two weeks of hell on wheels

Barely will the New Year have dawned when a major new war will begin in motorsport -- the Dakar Rally.

The all-wheel-drive -- and all-conquering -- MINIs that have won this toughest of races the past three years this time come up against the returning Peugeot with its compact two-wheel-drive 2008 DKR model and a super driver-line-up.

The two-week, 9000km event -- half of those kilometres competitive through the demanding, varied and unforgiving terrains of Argentina, Chile and Bolivia -- begins in Buenos Aires on January 4 and will loop back to finish there.

This time there will be marathon, two-day stages in all four categories -- but staggered rest days.

There are three Australian entries in cars -- Geoff Olholm and Peter Jerie in Toyota HiLuxs with French co-drivers and Adrian Di Lallo with Bruce Garland’s long-time partner Harry Suzuki in an Isuzu MU-X.

Olholm and Garland share the honour of having been the highest-finishing Aussies on the Dakar in 11th outright - Olholm in 2011 and Garland in 2009.

“The Dakar is such an inspiring event,” says Olholm, of Cairns.

“I didn’t go last year to save money and have an even better car. The goal is top 10.

“Now I’ve turned from a driver who wants to finish to one who wants to do well.”

Poor health has kept Isuzu stalwart Garland out of the event for two years now but already he is plotting a return in 2016.

Czech-born Jerie has a less-competitive approach. “I’m not a top driver,” he says. “I’m more into adventure. I’m not concerned about the result.”

Like Olholm, West Australian Di Lallo is tackling the Dakar again after a year’s absence.

As usual there will be several Aussies in the bikes category (all 450cc), the most fancied of them being four-time Finke Desert Race winner Toby Price with KTM factory satellite team Orlen.

The Dakar’s other two categories are trucks and quads, the latter having almost doubled in entries in recent years.

All up there are 414 vehicles entered this time.

But the attention, certainly in the car category, will be on the daily battles between MINI and Peugeot.

The French manufacturer dominated the Dakar more than a quarter of a century ago in Africa -- this is its seventh running in South America -- and now comes back trying to be the first to win it with a diesel-powered two-wheel-drive vehicle.

Extensively tested in Morocco before being loaded for shipment to Buenos Aires, it has a 3-litre, 340hp, V6 twin-turbo mid-rear engine.

But Peugeot’s technical project manager Jean-Christophe Pallier says the 2008 DKR’s advantage will be in the benefits the rules allow 2WDs.

“Two-wheel-drive cars are allowed to be significantly lighter than 4x4s,” Pallier says.

“They are also entitled to use bigger wheels which provide them with a certain advantage when it comes to coping with the many pitfalls associated with this type of terrain.

“On top of that they allow us to minimise the front overhang.

“The 2008 DKR can practically climb vertical walls!

“And that’s not all. Longer suspension travel -- 460mm instead of 250mm -- enhances its ability over dunes and when soaking up uneven ground.

“That’s a key asset on an event like the Dakar.

“Another advantage of the larger wheel size is a system that allows the tyre pressures to be adjusted remotely from inside the cockpit on entering a zone of dunes - a tactic that could yield a gain of precious minutes.”

Peugeot’s drivers are “Monsieur Dakar” Stephane Peterhansel, an 11-time winner (five times on four-wheels, six times on two), “El Matador” Carlos Sainz, another Dakar victor and former world rally champion, and Cyril Despres, making his debut on four wheels after multiple motorcycle successes.

Peterhansel, previously successful with Mitsubishi and MINI but famously forbidden to overtake Spaniard Nani Roma for victory last year, says the switch to 2WD “changes everything” for him this time.

“I’ve never driven a car with so much suspension travel,” Peterhansel says.

“The first big surprise is the manner in which the 2008 DKR soaks up potholes and compressions.

“I’ve always been accustomed to getting thrown around like a rag doll inside the cockpit, but the behaviour of the 2008 DKR is infinitely more efficient and smooth.

“Whenever you fear an impending impact the suspension and large-diameter wheels absorb it.

“That is a reassuring feeling which allows you to pass over potholes at 120kmh or 130kmh rather than just 80kmh.

“Being 2WD the 2008 DKR is a bit livelier and demands a defter and more precise touch behind the wheel since it is not quite as easy to control.

“You need a nice clean driving style – not too sideways.”

Peterhansel says that “even over dunes it’s amazing how much grip you have with just 2WD”.

MINIs run by the X-Raid team filled all three podium spots in the Dakar’s car category last January. Ten MINIs are entered this time, with driver crews from 12 countries, and the brand has committed to continuing in the event until 2017.

“The Dakar Rally is the ultimate challenge for all drivers and teams, making it one of the most enthralling events in the world of motorsport,” says MINI’s senior vice-president Jochen Goller.

“The Dakar gives the MINI brand a unique opportunity to connect with its fans worldwide, with Dakar enthusiasts and people who look beyond statistics and results to enjoy sports in such fascinating, exotic places.

“These strategic reasons and our constant desire to improve were beyond the key decision to extend our Dakar engagement together with our strategic partner in motorsport, X-Raid.”

MINIs leading drivers are reigning winner Roma and Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah, the 2011 victor.

Dangers to the MINI and Peugeot stars will be South Africa’s Giniel De Villiers, the 2009 winner and five times a top-five finisher in seven years, with his Toyota HiLux and American Robby Gordon in his Hummer.

Peugeot 2008 DKR tech specs:

ENGINE
Type           V6 bi-turbo diesel
Cubic capacity      2993cc
Number of valves     24
Position               Mid-rear
Number of cylinders       V6 (60° ‘vee’ formation)
Maximum power    340hp
Torque       800Nm
Maximum revs     5,000rpm
Top speed      200kph / 125mph
Lubricant            TOTAL QUARTZ 10 W 50

TRANSMISSION
Type         Two-wheel drive
Gearbox       Longitudinally mounted six-speed manual sequential gearbox
Lubricant    TOTAL 755 HPX 80 W 140

CHASSIS
Type                                                 Tubular steel
Bodywork                                         Carbon

SUSPENSION / BRAKES / STEERING
Suspension        Double wishbones
Springs       Coil springs (two per wheel)
Dampers     Adjustable (two per wheel)
Travel           460mm
Anti-roll bars     Front and rear
Steering and brakes         Hydraulic power steering
Discs (vented)       Hydraulic dual circuit, one-piece light alloy four-piston callipers
Diameter       Front and rear discs: 355mm
Wheels (Front / rear)      Aluminium two-piece wheels (17 x 8.5)
Tyres          Michelin 37/12.5x17

DIMENSIONS
Length    4099mm
Width       2033mm
Height          1912mm
Front / rear overhang          641mm / 658mm
Wheelbase          2800mm
Fuel tank capacity        400 litres

MINI ALL4 Racing tech specs:

Engine        TwinPower turbo-diesel
Output        320hp @ 3250rpm
Torque        Approx 800 Nm @2100 rpm
Capacity        2993cc
Air restrictor    38 mm diameter
Top speed        Approx 178km/h
Transmission    Six-speed sequential gearbox (Sadev)
Clutch        AP Racing clutch
Differential         Xtrac
Brakes        AP disc brakes (320 x 32 mm), air-cooled at front, air/water-cooled at rear
Dimensions        4333/1998/1966mm (L/W/H)
Wheelbase        2900mm
Track            1736mm
Kerb weight        1952.5kg
Tank capacity    Approx 385 litres
Chassis frame    CP Autosport
Tyres            Michelin All-Terrain (size: 245/80R 16)