It's game on for MINI at the 2014 Rally Dakar. On January 5th next, MINI sets about defending its title of two successive victories at the 36th running of the Dakar. The 11-strong MINI ALL4 team hits the road, dirt, mud and dunes of the most brutal marathon rally that exists anywhere.
MINI, now in partnership with the Monster Energy X-raid Team, was led to victory by the star French driver Stephane Peterhansel on the last two of the Rally Dakars - 2012 and 2013. The victories were at the wheel of a hugely modified MINI John Cooper Works Countryman. It's worth noting that MINI debuted on the Dakar only in 2011.
"That is also why the 'John Cooper Works' brand is associated with every sporting event the MINI competes in", said Jochen Goller, Senior Vice President MINI. Indeed, MINI holds a strong provenance in motorsport, entering the 1959 Mille Miglia, the 1960s Monte Carlo Rally and now the Dakar.
Complacency clearly isn't allowed at team MINI either. "I won the last two rallies, but it does not mean anything for the next event, as each rally is a new chapter", said Stephane Peterhansel.
Anything else?
While it's called Rally Dakar, it now actually runs through South America. Starting in Argentina on 5th January, 13 gruelling days take in Bolivia while finishing in Valparaiso in Chile in 18th January. The event was moved there following security threats in 2008. So, an 11-strong team for the MINI ALL4 team and two successive Dakar wins to defend at the World's toughest motor endurance event? No pressure, then.