Rally Paris-Dakar 1988
Over 600 vehicles started out from Versailles. Peugeot, which had made a successful debut the previous year, set out to defend its title. But Ari Vatanen, having led the rally at Bamako, was at the centre of a shock when his 405 Turbo 16 was stolen and then found too late to continue. The lion brand triumphed nevertheless, courtesy of his compatriot Juha Kankunnen.
1988 – DAF Truck co-driver Kees Van Loevezijn lost his life during the 7th stage of the 1988 Paris-Dakar Rally, the his truck somersaulted at over 180 km/h. He was practically thrown out of the truck and killed instantly. He died in the same truck that had previously won the truck class in the 1987 Dakar Rally. Following the dreadful accident, DAF Trucks decided to withdrew from the sport for good.
Only one stage later, co-driver Patrick Canado lost his life near Arlit (still in Niger). Some days later, when the Dakar caravan crossed the country of Mali, motorcyclist Jean-Claude Huger was the third and last competitor to lose his life in the 1988 edition of the rally. Belgian biker Andre Malherbe was also injured during the 5th stage of the competition, the accident later leading to paralysis.
Also in 1988, no less than 4 spectators were killed during the Paris-Dakar Rally: Mali's 10-year old girl Baye Sibi who was killed by a Dakar vehicle while crossing the street, a Mauritanian women and her child who were killed by a film crew vehicle and a Senegalese girl who fell from a wooden Dakar platform. PANA news agency representing the Dakar Rally organizers publicly stated that the 4 deaths were “insignificant for the organizers”, attracting immense criticism from the Vatican.
Dakar Rally Winners (Truck Category):Karel LOPRAIS (CZE), Tatra
Dakar Rally Winners (Car Category):Juha KANKKUNEN (FIN) / Juha PIIRONEN (FIN), Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 Grand Raid
Dakar Rally Winners (Bike Category):Edi ORIOLI (ITA), Honda NXR750V
1988 – DAF Truck co-driver Kees Van Loevezijn lost his life during the 7th stage of the 1988 Paris-Dakar Rally, the his truck somersaulted at over 180 km/h. He was practically thrown out of the truck and killed instantly. He died in the same truck that had previously won the truck class in the 1987 Dakar Rally. Following the dreadful accident, DAF Trucks decided to withdrew from the sport for good.
Only one stage later, co-driver Patrick Canado lost his life near Arlit (still in Niger). Some days later, when the Dakar caravan crossed the country of Mali, motorcyclist Jean-Claude Huger was the third and last competitor to lose his life in the 1988 edition of the rally. Belgian biker Andre Malherbe was also injured during the 5th stage of the competition, the accident later leading to paralysis.
Also in 1988, no less than 4 spectators were killed during the Paris-Dakar Rally: Mali's 10-year old girl Baye Sibi who was killed by a Dakar vehicle while crossing the street, a Mauritanian women and her child who were killed by a film crew vehicle and a Senegalese girl who fell from a wooden Dakar platform. PANA news agency representing the Dakar Rally organizers publicly stated that the 4 deaths were “insignificant for the organizers”, attracting immense criticism from the Vatican.
Dakar Rally Winners (Truck Category):Karel LOPRAIS (CZE), Tatra
Dakar Rally Winners (Car Category):Juha KANKKUNEN (FIN) / Juha PIIRONEN (FIN), Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 Grand Raid
Dakar Rally Winners (Bike Category):Edi ORIOLI (ITA), Honda NXR750V