The Paris-Dakar Rally is one of the last great motorsport adventures, travelling thousands of miles through the most challenging terrain on Earth. The first running of the event since the tragic loss of founder Thierry Sabine was a fitting tribute, with dramatic battles for victory in 1987.
Peugeot entered the fray for the 1987 Dakar Rally, adapting the stunning turbo-charged 205 T16 for desert raiding and signing up World Rally Champion Ari Vatanen for his first major event since his life-threatening crash 18 months earlier in Argentina. If the French marque were to win, it would have to overcome challenges from two factory-supported Mitsubishi teams, led by Andrew Cowan, the mighty Range Rovers of Patrick Zaniroli and Grand Prix star Patrick Tambay, and multiple winner Jacky Ickx, now behind the wheel of a Lada Niva.
The motorcycle battle was just as hotly contested, with Cyril Neveu bidding for a fifth win on his Honda against strong competition from the likes of Gaston Rahier and Hubert Auriol. Plus, of course, there were the always dramatic trucks fighting for glory.
Early problems left many of the big names fighting their way back into contention, setting up some incredible comebacks as the teams contended with dust, dunes, deserts and some major navigation problems! The battle for victory would remain tense right down to the last day.
This review brings you dramatic highlights from the 12,000km adventure, with extensive interviews with many of the stars charting the highs and lows of the entire energy-draining journey.
