The winning team of the last edition will repeat the team structure of the 2006 Dakar with Dakar winner Luc Alphand, Stéphane Peterhansel, Hiroshi Masuoka and Nani Roma
With the emblematic Eiffel Tower as eyewitness, the Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart presented in Paris, venue of the first editions of the hardest raid of the world in the 1980s, the new Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero Evolution MPR13, the new jewel of the crown that will be used by four of the best raid drivers of the world to fight for the victory at the 2007 Dakar Rally.
The MPR13, an evolution of the successful MPR12, has been remarkably improved in all aspects allowed by the regulations of the charismatic African event. Suspensions and weight distribution have been the main issues worked on, although there are also certain details such as improving the comfort in the cockpit, adding space and height, an aspect that will be very welcomed by drivers and codrivers, considering that they spend endless and countless hours planked inside overcoming all kinds of obstacles.
Of the excellent pool of drivers that will be representing the colours of Mitsubishi Ralliart and Repsol in this edition, Peterhansel and Masuoka are those who have gathered more victories two each against one victory of Alphand. Only Nani Roma, who will be racing his third raid in the car class in 2007, has the victory still pending, but the third overall place in the last edition shows that he will soon be ready to enter the particular club of his team mates.
The route of the 2007 Lisbon Dakar Rally 2007 was revealed today in Paris. The raid will start on Saturday, 6 January from Lisbon and will finish in Dakar, Senegal, on Sunday, 21 January. The organisation has planned to split the two first days between Portugal and Spain, followed by three days in Morocco, four in Mauritania, three in Mali and three in Senegal, including the victorious arrival day at Lake Rose, finishing point of this hard raid.
