Теnere.Sandstorm.All rally out of fuell.Fatal accident.
The first visit to the Tenere desert was as astounding as it
was terrifying. The competitors found themselves plunged into an interminable
sandstorm which caused no less than 40 drivers to lose their bearings. Those
who strayed furthest had to spend as much as four days getting back on course.
1983: the Paris-Dakar runs out of petrol
When the rally reaches Illizi, Algeria, Thierry Sabine finds
out that petrol reserves are rapidly dwindling towards zero. To avoid running
out of fuel, he sends Roger Kalmanovitz to Agadez on a quest to find at least
50,000 litres of petrol and convenes to meet him at the Tree of Ténéré. Mission
accomplished. But in the meanwhile, the pilots have decided to go on strike.
But Thierry Sabine manages to convince them to continue.
-"I heard Auriol
approaching the Tree of Ténéré. He asked whether he was the first. I said:
"Yes, but it will cost you 400 francs to fill your tank", remembers
Roger Kalmanovitz, one of the founders of the rally together with Thierry
Sabine.
Winners Paris Dakar Rally 1983
Team
Category
Jacky ICKX (BEL) / Claude BRASSEUR (FRA)
Mercedes 280 GE
Cars
Hubert AURIOL (FRA)
BMW GS980R
Motorcycles
George GROINE (FRA)
Mercedes-Benz
Trucks
In his fourth rally, Team Yamaha-France rider Pineau was killed a section of tarmac near Léo when he collided with a military vehicle. His best finish was 3rd overall.