Reviews
Review: Paris-Dakar 1990 DVD
The gruellingly arduous Paris-Dakar held its 12th edition in 1990 and it resulted in a commanding victory for Ari Vatanen, while Edi Orioli was triumphant in the motorbike class
Broken down into chapters this DVD review charts the development of the race from its snazzy launch in front of La Defense in Paris through to the finish line at Dakar, taking drivers and riders from the cold Christmas days of Europe to the hot, dusty and rugged terrain of North West Africa, encompassing seven different countries.
In the four-wheeled division it was Peugeot that romped to a commanding victory, as Ari Vatanen controlled proceedings aboard his 405 T16 Grand Raid to lead a 1-2-3, several hours clear of the challenge led by Mitsubishi and Lada - despite getting stuck on a ridge and swiping his car against a tree.
The two-wheeled action was all about Caviga rider Orioli, who opened a one-hour advantage in a race of high-attrition, featuring mechanical failures and bone-crushing crashes as some unfortunate pilots came to a shuddering demise on the rocky terrain. Some even got lost...
Stunning cinematography enhances the vibrancy of the rigorous event, with spectacular heli-shots capturing the cars and bikes gliding across the sand dunes - or getting agonisingly entrenched within them.
The DVD features a voiceover narration and regular map and scoring updates to ensure that the viewer is kept up-to-date with the event's developments, not missing any of the major drama.
Sit back, relax, and watch the cars, bikes - and even the monstrous trucks - tackle a three-week, 12,000km course through some of the world's most challenging environments.
Duke Video's Dakar 90 is available to buy on the official website for £14.99. Product code 4533.
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