The 2014 Dakar Rally ended this weekend. Here in the States, a mediocre coverage by just one channel and nothing in the papers. A real pity, since it's the top rally competition in the world.
Some of the vehicles are just transformers, so the fact that a Mini won doesn't mean anything. What does interest me is the "unmodified" production class.
In cars, this will be the T2 class, which is divided also in two as well:
Class 1: Petrol (gasoline) Cross-Country Series Production Vehicles
The winner, and sole finisher in this class was a Nissan Patrol Y61
Engine type : 3.0 Ltr Turbo Diesel Engine (some inconsistencies here, if its petrol category and this one is diesel)
Output : 118kW/380Nm
http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2014/us/stag ... tml#expand
Class 2: Diesel Cross-Country Series Production Vehicles
All the 8 places were swept by Toyotas. I want to cry
http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2014/us/stag ... html#ancre
Nissan didn't participate with official vehicles or support, like Toyota did, and has been doing lately. Can you convince anybody that the Patrol is better than a Toyota? I want to cry again.