Mitsubishi Withdraws from Dakar Rally
Works team will not compete in any cross-country rallies in 2009
By Christopher Jackson
February 4, 2009 9:37 PM
Filed Under: Japanese, Mitsubishi, Motorsport
It's not a lack of success that's causing Mitsubishi to drop out of the Dakar rally and other cross-country races for 2009. The brand cites the worldwide financial crisis and corporate belt-tightening as the reason it won't be competing in the races that helped to make it a household name in four-wheel drive performance.
Mitsubishi has fielded a factory team in twenty-six Dakar rallies, racking up a total of twelve victories, seven of them consecutive. Many of the durability and performance lessons learned on the grueling course found their way into production vehicles as well. Cross-country rallies provide an excellent proving ground and torture test for new innovations, after all. Nevertheless, the Mitsubishi works team won't be competing in the Dakar Series or the Dakar Rally this year.
There's no word as to the fate of the purpose-built racing Lancers that were to carry the Mitsubishi banner for the 2009 Dakar rally, scheduled to take place in South America.
As more and more corporate sponsors withdraw from motor racing, could we be seeing a return to the days when most racing cars were privately fielded?
Press Release (Click to expand)
MITSUBISHI MOTORS TO WITHDRAW FROM DAKAR RALLY AND ALL CROSS-COUNTRY RACES
* 26 entries, 12 victories, including 7 consecutive wins
* Deterioration in global economy forces decision
* Includes the Dakar Rally, Dakar Series and all cross-country races
TOKYO, February 4, 2009 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today their decision to withdraw from the Dakar Rally, the Dakar Series and all cross-country rallies.
In its twenty-six entries in the event, Mitsubishi Motors won the rally a total of twelve times, including seven consecutive victories. In addition to this unparalleled record the company also gained 4WD technology that informs its production vehicles, most visible in their durability and off road performance.
The sudden deterioration of the global economy made it necessary for the company to focus its resources more tightly, and for this reason the decision was taken to withdraw its Mitsubishi Motorsports (MMSP) works team from all cross-country competitions.
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