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The purpose-built rally car that Mitsubishi fields in the no-longer-aptly-named 2009 Dakar (the venue for the race is now South America, remember) will shed its Pajero moniker as well as the nominal styling elements that tied it to the Mitsu SUV. Instead, the new MRX09 is the "Racing Lancer". As such, the front end gets the Lancer's "Run for your lives!" gaping maw grille and squinty headlamps. In its press release announcing the updated vehicle, Mitsubishi also reaches for another Lancer tie-in when it points out the happy coincidence that the MRX09's bodywork "is redolent of the Lancer Sportback", which is another way of saying, "it slopes down in the rear." In any case, the Lancerized bodywork is more appealing than the squareback rump the Pajero racer wore. The new race buggy's drivetrain consists of the erstwhile Pajero Evolution's competition-prepped e4WD system and 3.0L turbodiesel producing over 260 horses and 480 lb-ft of torque. Air will be caught, sand will be kicked, and if history is any indication, a trophy will be hoisted when all's said and done.

[Source: Mitsubishi via Paul Tan]

Following the unfortunate cancellation of this year's Dakar rally, race organizers are examining a number of potential alternatives to permanently move the race away from northern Africa. Last year's race had stages canceled due to security considerations, but this year's event, which would have been going on right now, was the first to be cancelled in the rally's history. With reports now suggesting that the French foreign ministry's urging to cancel was based on direct threats from Al Qaeda to the Dakar rally itself, last year's modified race will likely have been the last to run the traditional, if oft-modified, route.

ASO – the French outfit that organizes the event, along with the famous Tour de France bicycle race – has considered a number of alternatives, including Dubai, Australia, and even running the distance from Paris all the way to Beijing, but reports are now suggesting that following the offer from the Chilean tourism minister, a deal has already been signed to hold the rally beginning next year on a route from Argentina to Chile and back.

Although the South American rally likely won't happen this year, when it does it will likely revert to Dakar's traditional January 1 starting gun and take the place of the Pampas Rally in the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup.

[Source: Autosport]

Since 1979, the Dakar Rally has never been canceled. Individual stages have been eliminated, but never the entire rally. This year is marks the end of the run: Dakar organizer ASO have decided to cancel the race in light of terrorist threats from Mauritania. The rally was to run from Lisbon, Portugal to Dakar, Senegal from January 5-20.

Mauritania was formerly a French colony, and the ASO (Amaury Sport Organization, the same folks who put on the Tour de France) is a French organization. It appears that anything French is a target for the time being: on December 28, 2007, four French tourists were murdered in Mauritania by "a branch of Al Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb," and threats have also been made directly against the race.

Eight of the race's fifteen stages were to take place in Mauritania. After being advised not to hold the race by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ASO felt it had no choice but to cancel this year's edition. It's regrettable, and a sad day for motorsport, but it had to be done. Follow the jump to read the full press release.

Thanks for the tip, Young!

[Source: BBC]

With the 2008 Lisbon-Dakar Rally confirmed to proceed, a star-studded roster of drivers is shaping up for what promises to be an exciting event spanning two continents over the course of two weeks.

Robby Gordon will be returning for the fourth time to fight for America's glory in, what else... a Hummer (pictured above). The NASCAR star will be competing against a host of rally champions, including double WRC champ and 2007 FIA Cross Country Cup winner Carlos Sainz (VW Touareg), and Monte Carlo rally winner Bruno Saby who will be driving the late Colin McRae's BMW. Two former F1 drivers, Ukyo Katayama and Tiago Monteiro, will be also competing, along with Vanina Ickx, daughter of famed grand prix and Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx.

All these drivers will be aiming to oust Mitsubishi, which has dominated the dunes and won the rally every year since 2001. Mitsubishi will be fielding no less than four Pajero/Montero this year in the event, which is set to depart from Lisbon, Portugal, on January 5 and finish in Dakar, Senegal on January 20. Watch this space for coverage.

[Source: Autosport]

Following meetings between the head of security for the Lisbon-Dakar Rally and government authorities in Mauritania, race organizers, undeterred by recent terrorist attacks in the country, have announced that the event will go on as planned.

Last week, terrorists in Mauritania shot and killed four French tourists and four Mauritanian soldiers. Reports indicated that the attacks were perpetrated by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the infamous terrorist network's North African wing, praying on fears that the militants were expanding southwards from their previous activities in Morocco and Algeria.

Last year's rally had two stages canceled due to security concerns regarding Algerian rebels. This year's rally is set to depart from Lisbon, Portugal, on January 5, passing through Mauritania on January 11 en route to the finish line in Dakar, Senegal, on January 20, covering a total of 9000km (5600 miles).

[Source: Autosport]

It's obvious that the fast-paced risks Colin McRae endured during his time behind the wheel have set the tone of his retirement. The term "retirement" is a total misnomer however, as McRae has kept himself busy consulting, marketing and developing his own line of rally machines. The R4 is so close to completion that McRae has taken on another project dubbed the Enduro.

Much like the R4, its purpose is to offer privateers an entry-level means of competing in cross-country rallies, approved by the FIA's T1 regulations that cover everything from Dakar to other Baja-style campaigns.

The machine was developed in conjunction with MDV Specialist Engineering and is made up of a space-frame chassis in which a Land Rover-sourced, turbocharged diesel 2.7-liter V6, tuned by Roush, produces 240 HP and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. Power is sent to the all four wheels via a six-speed ZF transmission equipped with a non-variable LSD in both the rear and center.

As with the R4, McRae envisions the Enduro competing in a one-make series, named the Pirelli McRae Enduro Trofeo, which will include three FIA World Cup events and three Baja series campaigns. Pricing is expected to be around 150,000 euros when it's finally offered up next year.

[Source: EVO]

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While Bimmerphiles are still unwinding from the excitement of the launch of the 1-Series coupe, and the spy shots of the upcoming 1-Series convertible, a team in France has been hard at work building a 1-Series-based Dakar racetruck.

The monster truck called the Trio is the brainchild of Pascal Boutet, and shares about as much in common with the 1-Series hatchback, whose likeness it bares, as a NASCAR stocker shares with the family sedans they're made to resemble. Under the fiberglass body, the unique chassis cradles BMW's stock 3-liter six-cylinder turbodiesel delivering 265 horsepower. The Trio will be hitting its top speed of 185 km/h (115 mph) when it hits the trail in the 2008 Dakar rally.

[Source: Carscoop]

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To celebrate its seventh consecutive (and twelfth overall) Dakar Rally victory, Mitsubishi is selling a rally-replica version of the short-wheelbase Pajero 2-door in Japan. Plans call for a 20-vehicle run, all of which will be fully decked out in the rally car's red finish and full Repsol/Valeo/Ralliart racing livery. A skidplate package, red mudflaps and dark gray aluminum wheels with Ralliart centers complete the road-ready race replica.

Power comes from Mitsubishi's 3.8L DOCH V6 coupled with a 5-speed automatic and 4WD. Stability control is also standard. Orders for the special-edition SUV will be taken from February 23 to March 31. Buyers have to pony up ¥3,801,000 (around $32,200 and change) for the privilege.

[Source: Mitsubishi]

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Fiat's little Panda miniwagon is taking on the Dakar Rally. A pair of race-prepped Pandas will compete in the 8,100 kilometer event. Our sister site, AutoblogGreen, reports that the PanDAKARs, as they're called, will be equipped with 42-gallon fuel tanks. That should give the cars, which are powered by 1.3L Miltijet turbodiesels, unbelievable range.

As you'd expect, the panelized Pandas will also be stocked with water reserves, tools to help them extract themselves when stuck in the sand, and 3 spare wheels. The support machinery consists of a Fiat Sedici (a.k.a. Suzuki SX4) service vehicle, which we'd love to see in its Dakar trim, as well as a trio of Iveco trucks.

We're looking forward to seeing how the cuddly 'lil Pandas do in the challenging race. Follow the jump for Fiat's full press release, and make sure you check out our PanDAKAR Photo Gallery.

[Source: Fiat via AutoblogGreen]

The coolest part about rally racing is undoubtedly those precious moments of air time, when racing cars – usually designed to great lengths to stay glued to the tarmac or dirt – take flight. People will camp out in the woods all day and watch entire races on television just for those rare glimpses.

This video gives you just the good stuff: WRC and Dakar racing machines flying over crests and down hills, plus some touring cars and open-wheelers spinning out, just for good measure. It's three minutes and nineteen seconds that elevates the levitating cars to a ballet. All for your viewing pleasure – see if you can stay in your seat.

[Source: motorpasion]