Nissan sees Motorsport as a passion that shows the fighting spirit of the brand, providing excitement to the customers. It is also a tool to develop both the brand and its technological capabilities. Nissan has a long history of involvement in various areas of Motorsport, including Le Mans, Super Touring, Rally Raids and Rallying.
As part of the company's current global business strategy of developing the sales efforts and strengthening the brand, Nissan will be organising its Motorsports activities, taking part in events with vehicles which are closer to the product line-up, and closer to the customers, in order to have a more direct impact on the brand and on sales.
A perfect example of this is the Dakar. Nissan has a long history in the event through independent teams, but this year will see a full works team take part in the event. The reasons for this are multiple. The Dakar has a strong global impact, with high media exposure in important markets not only across Europe but in Japan as well.
This challenging, adventurous race has fans across the world, due to the conditions the cars and drivers face, the speeds they achieve over difficult terrain, and the huge distances they cover. Nissan has built up over 50 years of 4x4 heritage, leading up to the current models, from top selling X‑Trail, - which is now the benchmark of the compact SUV in Europe- to the Pickup which is sold over 150 markets worldwide. Dakar is an ideal opportunity for Nissan to demonstrate its high level of expertise and the performance capabilities of its 4x4 range to the world.
However, the Rally Raid involvement does not only aim to develop the 4x4 business, but to develop and strengthen the Nissan brand as a whole, by broadening its appeal to a wider audience, in particular to young, active enthusiasts, giving the brand a stronger, more dynamic image.
Nissan has committed to a 4-year plan, entering the Dakar between 2003 and 2006. In line with the Company's Global Motorsport policy, the Nissan Rally Raid team for the Dakar will be a truly global one, with crew from Europe, South Africa, the Middle East and Japan. It will benefit from the support and experience of Andre Dessoude, who has entered the Dakar for 20 years.
Nissan is sure its cars will be highly competitive, and will provide excitement and passion to customers and fans all over the World.
For the 2003 Dakar, the Nissan Rally Raid Team will be made up of five crews, in the latest Pickup model, all entered in Group 2 Super Production Cars Category. It will be the first time in Nissan's History to enter this rally as Works Team. Talented drivers and co-drivers, some with experience of the event, some novices, but all of whom have unlimited motivation. Crews from around the World: Europe, South Africa, the Middle-East and Japan...
They will be managed by Nissan Europe's Motorsport General Manager Alec Poole with invaluable assistance from Andre Dessoude. Andre's Rally Raid experience is legendary, while Alec a previous BTCC Champion and Le Mans driver (14th in 1968) has considerable rally experience in finishing 2nd on the original London - Sydney Rally with Paddy Hopkirk and has co-driven for Roger Clark. Alec also masterminded Nissan's dominance of the BTCC in the Nineties.
He is supported by fellow Irishman Fred Gallagher who will be responsible for strategy. Fred has won five FIA World Championship Rallies and taken outright victory in no fewer than six FIA Cross Country Championship events.
The Chief Engineer is ex rally driver Glyn Hall who designed Nissan's version of the Rally Raid Pickup and has developed it competitively over the last 3 years for Nissan South Africa.
Jean Bernard Vieu will look after Team logistics. J-B earned his reputation in doing this type of work for Citroen, when they won the Dakar four times.
When the Pickup made its debut in the 2002 Dakar, it put in a strong performance, winning 30% of the special stages and leading the event for 4 days.
The De Villiers-Maimon line-up will have an evolution of the Pickup, with independent rear suspension. It is the only one of the five cars to have this feature.
· Giniel DE VILLIERS (RSA) - Pascal MAIMON (FRA)
NISSAN Pickup Proto
Taking part in the event for the first time, Giniel de Villiers will have the winner of the previous Dakar as his co-driver. His perfect knowledge of the vehicle should make up for his lack of experience over the terrain.
· Kenjiro SHINOZUKA (JPN) - Thierry DELLI-ZOTTI (FRA)
NISSAN Pickup
The Japanese Champion will join up once more with Thierry Delli-Zotti. Together, they finished in 3rd place in the 2002 Dakar. Extremely enthusiastic to be driving a Nissan Pickup, Kenjiro Shinozuka will certainly not fail to live up to his reputation as a great driver.
· Ari VATANEN (FIN) - X
NISSAN Pickup
The return of the « Flying Finn » to an event of which he is particularly fond. Four-times winner of the legendary Dakar, he is facing this new challenge with the same determination and hunger to win as in the past.
· Thierry DE LAVERGNE (FRA) - Jacky DUBOIS (FRA)
NISSAN Pickup
Regular Dakar and Nissan drivers, the De Lavergne - Dubois duo are sure to be at the forefront. Extremely impatient to get started, this popular line-up is extremely motivated and their morale is excellent.
· Khalifa Sultan AL MUTAWEI (UAE) - X
NISSAN Pickup
A driver who knows the dunes and their pitfalls ... after a superb second place in the last Rally of Tunisia, his aim will be to reach the shores of the Red Sea on January 19th 2003.
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