Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (Osamu Masuko/ President ) and Ralliart Inc. (Masao Taguchi / President) will support 2 teams on the 2008 Euromilhoes Dakar better known as the Paris-Dakar Rally. The event will get under way on January 5, 2008 and conclude in Dakar January 20. Monarch (Monarch Lubricant Oil, a major Chinese oil company) Mitsubishi Ralliart China will have the backing of the FASC (Federation Automobile Sports of The People's Republic of China) The China team will attempt the grueling event in a Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero in the competitive diesel engine category. This will be their 5th challenge of the famed Dakar. In addition, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Thailand, with support from Mitsubishi Thailand will enter a Mitsubishi Racing Triton Evolution. Mitsubishi/Ralliart will provide complete backing for these two teams.

Since forming these teams in 2004, Mitsubishi Motors and Ralliart have developed and provided training. During the event they have continued to set up a service structure and provided valuable support for the teams. Prior to the Dakar, both teams tested their vehicles and trained in Dubai in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) from October 9th to the 11th. Advanced training and thorough preparations were provided by the 1998 Dakar winner, Frenchman and former Mitsubishi driver Jean-Pierre Fontenay. On this coming event a special T4 Truck will provide backup support.

Monarch Mitsubishi Ralliart China

Monarch Mitsubishi Ralliart China is a Chinese team supervised by He Jiandong, current deputy secretary general of the FASC (Federation Automobile Sports of The People's Republic of China). The team first entered the Dakar in 2004 in which they finished a respectable 51st overall. This will be their 5th running of the event.

The 2008 will again be attempted by 36-years-old Chinese driver Liu Bin. He has considerable experience on the China Rally Championship and the China Cross-Country Rally Championship. His co-driver will be Thierry Pacquelet, an experienced Mitsubishi mechanic who has previously provided support for Hiroshi Masuoka and Kenjiro Shinozuka back in the 1990's. He also has considerable experience as co-driver on assistance cars.

With the team structure complete and considerable experience from previous events, Mitsubishi aims to complete the arduous event.

A turbocharged 3.2 litre diesel engine powers the new Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero, which is entered under Super-Production (T1) specifications. The 2008 Dakar Rally will also mark the 26th participation of Mitsubishi Motors in the classic African event. The Japanese cross-country vehicle was born from a quarter of a century of experience on the Dakar and advances in automotive technology.

Monarch Mitsubishi Ralliart China Driver Liu Bin (China /36-years-old) Co-driver Thierry Pacquelet (France /30-years-old) Vehicle Mitsubishi Pajero/ Montero Diesel (T1: Super Production ) Comment from Liu Bin "On the previous Dakar, I was able to safely finish the event 47th overall. I hope to utilize the experience for the coming event to finish in an even higher position. The partnership with co-driver Pacquelet is very good. I can't wait to get started." 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 2007 47th overall in the Dakar Rally China Cross-Country Rally Championship, first overall in twice

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Thailand

Mitsubishi Motors Thailand has 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. In the 2007 event he finished the Dakar 67th overall last year. 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 five-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 Thierry Lacambre of France is a former test driver for a Mitsubishi satellite team and has considerable experience of the Dakar Rally. With a new partnership they hope to reach the goal in a higher position then did last year.

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Thailand Driver Mana Pornsiricherd (Thailand/28-years-old) Co-driver Jean Brucy (France/45-years-old) Vehicle Mitsubishi Racing Triton Evolution (Super Production (T1) specification) Comment from Mana Pornsiricherd "I learned quite a lot when finishing the Dakar last year. It was a very valuable experience for me. The performance of the Mitsubishi Racing Triton Evolution is just wonderful. I hope this performance can be showcased on this commemorative 30th Dakar event. I will do my best to attain a satisfying result." 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. 2007 67th overall in the Dakar Rally