Paris Dakar Rally 1988 DVD - Description
The Paris-Dakar Rally is one of the last
great motorsport adventures, travelling thousands of miles through the most
challenging terrain on Earth. The event marked its 10th anniversary
in 1988, but controversy and tragedy marred what should have been a celebration.
Ari Vatanen, victor in 1987, was favourite
to win with the awesome Peugeot 405. Despite challenges from the Land Rovers,
the Mitsubishi Pajeros and fellow Peugeot driver Juha Kankkunen, the double
World Rally Champion dominated until the bizarre and controversial events in Bamako, when Vatanen’s
car disappeared, along with his hopes of triumphing. Despite the contentious
conclusion to the 1988 Dakar Rally, the 13,000km, 22-day odyssey across six
countries provided some amazing racing, featuring the likes of Andrew Cowan,
Patrick Tambay, Jacky Ickx and Henri Pescarolo.
Dakar legends Cyril Neveu and Gaston Rahier once again headed the entry
in the motorcycle battle, but the victory would be fought out between Edi Orioli and Franco Picco in a dramatic contest.
The organisers had designed one of the most
demanding routes ever for the 10th anniversary, and it proved too
much for many – the 600-strong field was decimated on the very first day in Africa. Tragically, the tough terrain took a heavy toll, claiming
the lives of competitors and leaving many, including Motocross legend Andre
Malherbe, badly injured.
This review features action-packed
highlights from a year which will be remembered for all the wrong reasons, plus
interviews with the stars as the event – and the controversy – unfolds.
