Paris-Dakar DVD Collection

SIX YEARS OF MOTORSPORT’S GREATEST ADVENTURE IN ONE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION

The Paris-Dakar Rally 1984-89 DVD Collection released

Incredible, action-packed highlights from six years of the most demanding event in motorsport can now be relived in the Paris-Dakar Rally 1984-89 DVD Collection.

Duke has brought together six DVDs covering the Paris-Dakar Rally from 1984 to 1989 in one durable, embossed presentation case.

Each DVD features comprehensive coverage of an unforgettable year, and the epic collection is loaded with triumph, tragedy, drama and despair. Jacky Ickx, Ari Vatanen, Cyril Neveu and Stephane Peterhansel are among the stars, plus there’s the iconic desert raid machines, like the Porsche 959, Mitsubishi Pajero and turbo-charged Peugeot 205 T16.

In each DVD stunning action footage, interviews and event analysis bring viewers the full story of an epic odyssey across spirit-breaking terrain in the harshest conditions, from the baking heat of the Saharan days to the freezing temperatures of the African mountains.

In 1984, the event became a race for survival as the harsh conditions and tough environment decimated the field. The action-packed review of this year follows the 12,000km odyssey as 426 cars, motorcycles and trucks navigate eight countries in 20 drama-filled days. A trio of specially-adapted Porsche 911s led the way, with 1983 winner Ickx starting favourite. Electrical problems hampered his bid for victory, but set the scene for an enthralling fight back. Among the challengers were the sportscar great Jochen Mass, driving veteran Vic Elford, the heroic Marreau brothers, Mitsubishi's Andrew Cowan, the Pacific Range Rover of Patrick Zaniroli and Ickx's own teammate Rene Metge. The bike section was also a star-studded affair, with BMW's challengers Hubert Auriol and Gaston Rahier dominating.

In 1985, desert heat, car-breaking conditions and dangerous sandstorms left the competitors battling against all odds to reach the finish. From the snow and ice of the Atlas Mountains to the baking heat of the Sahara Desert, this action-packed review follows the 572 cars, motorcycles and trucks as they tackle the 14,000km adventure. In the toughest Dakar Rally yet, the route proved too much for many - just 77 competitors would last the full 22 days. As favourites including the Porsche 959s of Ickx, Mass and 1984 winner Metge joined the casualty list, the Audi Quattros, Land Rovers and even two-wheel-drive Opel Mantas took turns at the front. However, it was the reliable Mitsubishi Pajeros of Zaniroli and Scotsman Cowan which would go the distance in this extraordinary rally. As Auriol and Neveu struggled, the battle for victory in the bike section came down to a ferocious fight between the BMW of 1984 winner Rahier and the Yamahas of Jean-Claude Olivier and Franco Picco.

In 1986, the event was rocked by a series of serious accidents, and a tragedy which would stun the sport. An horrific helicopter accident in Mali killed five, including Dakar Rally founder Thierry Sabine. The tragedy shocked everyone involved in the 1986 event, but it was decided to complete the rally raid in Sabine's honour. So, 22 days after leaving Paris, the surviving cars, motorcycles and trucks rolled into Dakar, bringing an emotional end to the 15,000km adventure. Treacherous terrain, wild weather, confusion and controversy made 1986 one of the toughest years for the Dakar Rally, with just 81 of the 478 competitors making the finish. The battle for victory in the car section raged between the Porsche 959s, Range Rovers and Mitsubishi Pajeros of stars like Ick, Metge, Zaniroli and Cowan. Rahier's hopes of a third win were dashed by a bone-breaking fall, but he showed the true spirit of the event to take his BMW to a hard-earned finish, some way behind the Honda of winner Neveu.

The first running of the event since the tragic loss of founder Sabine was a fitting tribute, with dramatic battles for victory in 1987. Peugeot entered the fray, adapting the stunning turbo-charged 205 T16 for desert raiding and signing up World Rally Champion 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 Cowan, the mighty Range Rovers of Zaniroli and Grand Prix star Patrick Tambay, and multiple winner Ickx, now behind the wheel of a Lada Niva. The motorcycle battle was just as hotly contested, with Neveu bidding for a fifth win on his Honda against strong competition from the likes of Rahier and Auriol. 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.

The event marked its 10th anniversary in 1988, but controversy and tragedy marred what should have been a celebration. 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, the 13,000km, 22-day odyssey across six countries provided some amazing racing, featuring the likes of Cowan, Tambay, Ickx and Henri Pescarolo. Dakar legends Neveu and Rahier once again headed the entry in the motorcycle battle, but the victory would be fought out between Edi Orioli and Picco in a dramatic contest. The organisers had designed one of the most demanding routes ever for the 10^th 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.

In 1989 the teams departed Paris on Christmas Day for a 20-day expedition which would travel almost 11,000kms across seven countries. Vatanen and Dakar veteran Ickx would lead the Peugeot charge, pushing the 405 T16 to the limit across the treacherous African landscape, chased throughout by the Mitsubishi Pajeros. The Mitsubishi team, which featured Cowan and Tambay, endured a testing Dakar Rally, with poor quality fuel and reliability problems denting hopes of victory. Despite the setbacks, Tambay produced an awesome performance which kept the Peugeots under pressure. Although the result was clouded by controversy following the imposition of Peugeot team orders, the three-way battle between Vatanen, Ickx and Tamaby makes for dramatic viewing. In the motorcycle section, Honda and Yamaha renewed their rivalry, with five-time winner Neveu swapping teams to head the Yamaha challenge. Peterhansel was the dominant early leader, but the battle for victory came down to the Yamaha of Picco and Honda’s Gilles Lalay. Dramatic footage from throughout the 20-day adventure brings viewers all the danger and drama as the Dakar Rally crosses Libya for the first time and once again endures the hardships of the Tenere Desert.

This collection is essential viewing for all fans of the Dakar Rally, new and old. Paris-Dakar Rally 1984-89 6-DVD Boxset is Out Now, priced at £69.99 and will be available from leading video outlets or direct from Duke Video: Tel 01624 640 000, fax 01624 640 001 or email mail@dukevideo.com.

Visit www.DukeVideo.com online.