Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Ralliart Inc. are set to support Team Mitsubishi Ralliart China and Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Thailand in the 2007 Dakar Rally, which starts in Lisbon on Saturday, January 6th, 2007.

The event is officially known as the 2007 Euromilhoes Dakar and is better known as the Paris-Dakar Rally. The punishing African off-road challenge will finish in Dakar on Sunday, January 21st, 2007.

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart China are attempting the grueling African event for the fourth time and the team have the backing of the FASC (Federation Automobile Sports of The People's Republic of China). They will enter a Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero in the competitive diesel engine category. In addition, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Thailand, with support from Mitsubishi Thailand, will enter a Mitsubishi Racing Triton Evolution.

Mitsubishi Motors and Ralliart Inc. have used their joint experience in Cross-Country rallying to organize the teams, build the vehicles, enforce training for the crew and provide and set up a service operation during the event.

Advanced training has been provided by the 1998 Dakar winner, Frenchman Jean-Pierre Fontenay. The Thailand & China team underwent rigorous training in the deserts of Inner Mongolia in China back in August and also benefited from practice runs in France in November. Both driver and co-driver also received mechanical training in France.<

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart China

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart China is a Chinese team supervised by Lee Chunway, current vice-chairman of the FASC. The team first attempted the Dakar Rally in 2004 and finished 47th overall. The 2007 Dakar Rally marks the team's fourth attempt.

In preparation for the 2007 Dakar Rally, driver Liu Bin has been active in local events, such as the China Rally Championship and the China Cross-Country Rally Championship. Frenchman Serge Henninot will act as co-driver for the fourth successive season.

Henninot has considerable experience on the famed Dakar Rally event. The team is prepared to go the whole distance and has the aim of gradually climbing the overall classification.

A turbocharged diesel engine powers the Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero, which is entered under Super-Production (T1) specifications. The 2007 Dakar Rally will also mark the 25th participation of Mitsubishi Motors in the classic African event. The Japanese cross-country vehicle was born from a quarter of a century of experience and advances in automotive technology.

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart China Driver Liu Bin (China /36-years-old) Co-driver Serge Henninot (France /39-years-old) Vehicle Mitsubishi Pajero Diesel (Super Production (T1) specification) Comment from Liu Bin "I am honored to be chosen as a member of a team. This will be my first attempt at the Paris-Dakar, but I trust the result of the training I have received. In addition, with the support of my co-driver and mechanics I will go the whole distance." Career history 1995 Begins racing activities 1998 Begins rallying activities 2003 China Rally Championship, second in series 2004 China Rally Championship, third in series 2005 China Rally Championship, sixth position in the rankings 2006 China Rally Championship, sixth position in the rankings China Cross-Country Rally Championship, second position in the rankings

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Thailand

Mitsubishi Motors Thailand have been supporting Thai drivers hoping to participate in the Dakar Rally. Following the 2006 Dakar Rally, Mitsubishi appointed the young and talented Mana Pornsiricherd as a designated driver.

Mitsubishi Ralliart Thailand will field a Mitsubishi Racing Triton Evolution on this year's event. The Triton, which made its competition debut in 2005, is based on the Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero Evolution (currently on a four-year winning streak) with the exterior appearance of a small-sized Mitsubishi truck.

The powerful truck is equipped with a 3.2-liter turbocharged diesel engine and will be entered in the Super Production (T1) diesel class. The vehicle has shown considerable potential. Co-driver Jean Brucy of France is a former professional motorcyclist and has considerable experience of the Dakar Rally. He will act as co-driver as he did last year.

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Thailand Driver Mana Pornsiricherd (Thailand/28-years-old) Co-driver Jean Brucy (France/44-years-old) Vehicle Mitsubishi Racing Triton Evolution (Super Production (T1) specification) Comment from Mana Pornsiricherd "Unfortunately I was not able to finish last year's event. But I will take that disappointment, and the experience gained on the event, and use all my will to win. The efficiency of the Mitsubishi Racing Triton Evolution is considerable. If I am able to finish I believe the ranking will follow." Career history 1997 Thailand Formula 150, Grade A Champion 1999 Thailand Rally Championship, Grade C, A8 (2WD) Champion 2001 Thailand Rally Championship, Grade A, 2WD class, National Champion 2003 Thailand Rally Championship, Grade A, FIA A4 (2WD), National Champion 2004 Thailand Cross-Country Rally Championship, Second place in the General and Production categories 2005 Thailand Cross-Country Rally Championship and participated in the 4x4 Thailand Rally Championship 2006 Participation in the Dakar Rally - Retired on Leg 10.