Media Information
2019 Dakar
2 October 2018
MINI announces X-raid MINI JCW Team participation at 2019 Dakar.
-
Cyril Despres, Stéphane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz join
the MINI Family. -
Three rally raid legends ready to take on the 2019 Dakar
with MINI John Cooper Works Buggy cars. -
Despres and Sainz to compete in MINI John Cooper Works Buggy
at Rallye du Maroc, 3rd-9th October 2018, as
part of testing ahead of 2019 Dakar.
Munich. MINI Motorsport partner X-raid has announced the
addition of three rally raid legends to the growing MINI Family set
to compete at the 2019 edition of the Dakar. Cyril Despres (FR),
Stéphane Peterhansel (FR) and Carlos Sainz (SP) have between them
amassed an incredible 20 Dakar wins and now look to increase this
remarkable tally with each electing to drive a MINI John Cooper
Works Buggy under the team banner of
X-raid MINI JCW Team
.
Devised and built by X-raid, MINI John Cooper Works Buggy first saw
racing action at the 2018 Dakar. Now honed to the latest
specification, this is the latest MINI Motorsport racing tool that
Cyril Despres, Stéphane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz will compete with
in order to win Dakar.
Cyril Despres has won the Dakar five times on motorcycles (2005,
2007, 2010, 2012, 2013) before taking to four-wheels in 2015. In less
than three years he has already achieved four-wheel rally success, the
most notable is twice winning the arduous Silk Way Rally (2016, 2017).
Despres and Carlos Sainz will be the first of the three drivers from
X-raid MINI JCW Team to taste race action in the MINI John Cooper
Works Buggy by competing in Rallye du Maroc
(3rd-9th October 2018), round 10 of the 2018 FIA
Cross Country Rally World Cup.
Stéphane Peterhansel carries the nickname “Mr Dakar” for 13 very good
reasons – 13 is the number of times the Frenchman has won Dakar. Like
so many Dakar greats, Peterhansel began his Dakar career on two-wheels
and achieved six wins before switching to cars to claim a further
seven Dakar titles. Peterhansel is no stranger to the winning ways of
MINI. In 2012, he won Dakar at the controls of a MINI ALL4 Racing. It
was in the same legendary car that he defended his Dakar title the
following year.
Carlos Sainz is the reigning Dakar champion. 2018 was the second year
“El Matador” drove to Dakar victory and, by all accounts, the
celebrations were as emotional as his first success in 2010. Defence
of his Dakar title will start with his first official competitive race
in the MINI John Cooper Works Buggy in Morocco, where he and Despres
will gather machine development data ahead of the 2019 Dakar.
Cyril Despres: “I have a new car, a new team and a
new co-driver, but the same passion and motivation. I am very much
looking forward to lining up in the MINI John Cooper Works Buggy. We
will almost exclusively be on sand at the 2019 Dakar. One mistake and
it could all be over. There are a lot of opportunities to get bogged
down and lose time. The coming Dakar will be extremely intensive and challenging.”
Stéphane Peterhansel: “I have had two victories at
the Dakar with X-raid – they are very fond memories. I am happy to
return to the team, together with Carlos and Cyril. I was very excited
when I climbed into the MINI John Cooper Works Buggy. It is great fun
and easy to drive. The next Dakar takes place in one country, but I
find Peru a very interesting and nice country. There are big dunes and
open desert – that makes the rally very interesting.”
Carlos Sainz: “A new team, a new car, and with them a
new challenge. I am very optimistic that we will master this
challenge. We are well prepared. I love the challenge of working with,
developing and getting the best out of a new car. That is always
exciting. I am happy with the MINI John Cooper Works Buggy and we
still have time to develop it further.”
Sven Quandt – CEO X-raid: “This trio is obviously a
dream cast, which brings a wealth of experience. Carlos’ support
during the development of MINI John Cooper Works Buggy has taken us
forward in terms of its set-up. Stéphane is an old friend and I am
delighted to have him back in the team. Cyril has shown what he is
capable of and I am intrigued to see how he puts his ability into
practice with X-raid. In any case, he already has plenty of kilometres
under his belt in our car.
“The MINI John Cooper Works Buggy has satisfactorily completed a lot
of test kilometres in recent months and we are very excited about its
first competitive outing in Morocco at the hands of Cyril and Carlos.”
For more information about the 2019 Dakar, please visit the host’s
event home page here.