Shinozuka wins Dakar prologue

Japanese driver Kenjiro Shinozuka, who was left in a coma after crashing out of last year's Dakar Rally, won the 1.5km prologue of the 2004 running of the infamous cross-country event in his Nissan Pickup

Jan 1, 2004, 10:40 AM

Shinozuka, who also won the corresponding stage last year, beat fellow Nissan driver Giniel De Villiers of South Africa by half a second in snowy conditions in front of 35,000 spectators at the Grande Halle d'Auvergne in France. Former World Rally Champion Miki Biasion was third quickest for Mitsubishi, ahead of 2003 Dakar winner Hiroshi Masuoka.

Colin McRae was 28th fastest in his Nissan on his Dakar debut. Team-mate Ari Vatanen was 34th on the day and said: "I was as cautious as possible because it really is a tricky kind of exercise. I believe I didn't even jump over the bumps. I actually hate these conditions, I can't wait for Africa."

The fourth Nissan of Yves Loubet won't get that far, however. His hopes went up in smoke along with his car's wiring loom on the road section that followed the prologue.

Today's positions will be taken into account for tomorrow's stage in Narbonne.