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Recent successes
State-of-the-art development, years of experience and attention to detail secured
Mitsubishi Motors a record seventh successive victories in the prestigious 2007 Dakar Rally.
The victory is the twelfth in thirteen years for Mitsubishis Pajeros,
and the third in four years for French driver Stephane Peterhansel.
This is the first Dakar rally for the latest model Pajero,
and Peterhansel is convinced it has more to offer.
We had a few minor problems which slowed us down early in the race,
but the new car is very good and very fast which allowed us to drive a tactical race.
There are quite a few improvements we can make over the next 12 months to make it even better for 2008.
Peterhansels nearest rival was 2006 Dakar winner and Mitsubishi team-mate, Luc Alphand,
who finished 7 minutes and 26 seconds behind after 15 days and 4309 kilometers of grueling desert racing.
The Mitsubishi team hit the front in the ninth of sixteen special stages,
when long-time leader Giniel de Villiers vehicle overheated and caught fire.
For the last six days of the rally, the Mitsubishi team controlled proceedings through
careful team management, tactical driving and thorough car preparation.
Although claimed to not be as demanding as previous rallies, only 300 of the 517 cars,
motorcycles and trucks that began the race crossed the finish line in Dakar.
The success of the Dakar Pajeros is a fitting precursor
to the launch of the latest production model,
due for release in New Zealand in March.
Evo brings first Race to the Sky kiwi home
Andrew Hawkeswood in his FUSO-sponso ed custom-built Mitsubishi Evo VIII
proved again this year that he is New Zealands fastest hill climb expert,
coming in more than 10 seconds ahead of his nearest kiwi rival
at Wanakas Race to the Sky held on 16 April 2006.
Hawkeswood completed the final run in 8:28.71mins,
beating the New Zealand record he set for the event in 2005 by three seconds.
His nearest kiwi rival, Marty Roestenberg, was more than 10 seconds behind with a time of 8:39.45.
Race to the Sky is New Zealands premier international hill climb event.
Starting from the floor of the Cardrona Valley it runs uphill for 15 kilometers through 137 corners,
climbing from 1,500 ft to 5,000 ft averaging a 1:11 gradient to the top.
TEAM MITSUBISHI RALLIART
Mitsubishi is proud to support the eleven top New Zealand drivers who together are Team Mitsubishi Ralliart: Carl Adnitt, Grant Barber, Dermott Malley, Patrick Malley, Brett Martin, Hayden Paddon, Dean Sumner, Brent Taylor, Trevor Taylor, Stewart Taylor and Dylan Turner. Catch up with their recent successes or meet the team.
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Meet the team
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| Driver: |
Carl Adnitt Co-driver: Aaron Conaghan |
| Car: |
Lancer Evolution VII
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Carl Adnitt
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| Carl is one of six rookies in this years Team Mitsubishi Ralliart (TMR). |
| At the age of eighteen, Carl already has some impressive club level rallying credits to his name, including 4th overall at the 2006 Possum Bourne Memorial Rally. |
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| Driver: |
Grant Barber Co-driver: Bede OConnor |
| Car: |
Lancer Evolution VIII
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Grant Barber
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2006 is Grants fourth year in the championship. After going rallying to see how fast his Evo would go, he has consolidated his skills, which reflects in his increased speed and 9th overall result in the 2005 season.
His best result to date is 1st in Group N at the 2003 Hawkes Bay rally, which he rates as his favourite.
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| Driver: |
Dermott Malley Co-driver: Linzi Malley |
| Car: |
Lancer Evolution VIII
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Dermott Malley
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Dermott, a long time rally driver, has more recently been competing overseas in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship.
This will be Dermotts first year in the NZ Rally Championship and along with son Patrick makes up one of TMRs two father and son 2-car teams.
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| Driver: |
Patrick Malley Co-driver: Hayden Middleton
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| Car: |
Lancer Evolution VII
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Patrick Malley
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Patrick Malley has only just begun his driving career having navigated for father Dermott in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship over the last few years.
Patrick is eligible for junior and rookie championship points in this years NZ Rally Championship.
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| Driver: |
Brett Martin Co-driver: Raymond Crunch Bennett
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| Car: |
Lancer Evolution IX
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Brett Martin
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2005s Junior Rally Champion moves into an Evo IX for this years championship.
Third overall in last years national championship, Brett will be one to watch, consistently setting fast stage times.
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| Driver: |
Haydon Paddon Co-driver: Paul Fallon
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| Car: |
Lancer Evolution VIII
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Haydon Paddon
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Hayden Paddon is the second teenage member of TMR.
He has an encouraging South Island rallying record, which includes leading the Mainland rally series after two rounds in 2005.
Eighteen year old Paddon is campaigning the ex-Brian Stokes Evo VIII and will be vying for junior and rookie championship honors.
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| Driver: |
Dean Sumner Co-driver: Paul Fallon
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| Car: |
Lancer Evolution VIII
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Dean Sumner
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Dean Sumner is another long-standing team member, rallying Mitsubishi Evos in the NZ Rally Championship since 2002.
Junior Champion in 2004, Dean has continued to impress with his consistently fast driving skills.
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| Driver: |
Brent Taylor Co-driver: Chris Ramsey
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| Car: |
Lancer Evolution VI
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Brent Taylor
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Brent Taylor completed a rally school program in Hamilton in 2004 and became hooked on rallying.
The Cambridge drivers first season in the NZ Rally Championship was 2005, and 2006 is already off to a positive start with a third overall at this years Possum Bourne Memorial Rally.
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| Driver: |
Stewart Taylor Co-driver: Warwick Searle
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| Car: |
Lancer Evolution IX
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Stewart Taylor
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Stewart is part of the second father-son team, with father Trevor.
Stewart started rallying three years ago and has had some impressive results at club level, including his first rally win in the Tauranga rally in March this year. The Hawkes Bay driver will be another exciting new talent to watch in this years championship and is aiming for top rookie honors.
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| Driver: |
Trevor Taylor Co-driver: Jason Timmins |
| Car: |
Lancer Evolution VIII
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Trevor Taylor
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Trevor Taylor started his rallying career as a navigator, sitting next to son Stewart.
Some on-the-limit driving by Stewart encouraged Trevor to jump out of the passenger seat and into his own rally car in 2004. Trevor competed in the Central Region Rally series in 2005 and finished 2nd overall in the 4WD class.
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| Driver: |
Turner Co-driver: Sandy Bansal |
| Car: |
Lancer Evolution IX
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Dylan Turner
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Dylan started his rallying career in 1999 and is another long-standing team member.
The Manurewa driver, campaigning a brand new Evo IX this season, is well known for his spectacular driving style, finishing in the top 10 in 2005.
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