40th edition - N°2 - The battle Schlesser / Masuoka - Dakar 2018

Jean-Louis Schlesser, the title holder from the previous two editions (1999 & 2000), played the part of the craftsman-mechanic to outwit the constructors taking part in the rally, thanks to his mechanical creativity and bold driving. A battle between the Schlesser and Mitsubishi teams was played out between the “Fox of the Desert” and Hiroshi Masuoka. Equally feisty and attacking on the tracks, the Japanese driver however lost his cool when faced with his rival’s attempts to destabilise him… and ended up making a mistake. Following a penalty from the race officials, Schlesser lost the lead and another “Mitsu” driven by Jutta Kleinschmidt won the Dakar in 2001. Masuoka obviously learned his lesson, as he added the following two editions to his roll of honour!

Social networks:

[TronicGames]

Definitely one of the key stories of modern dakar history.

[JS-tevj]

I'm sorry, painting this as Schlesser's creativity and wit is nonsense.
This wasn't Masuoka's "destabilised" mistake,
it was utter dirty and foul play by Schlesser.

For those of you who don't know.
On the penultimate stage, Schlesser and Servia colluded to block the Mitsubishi, by starting Servia before he was allowed to and in front of the Mitsubishi. They deliberately broke the rules to block Masuoka, to give Schlesser time to run away. Servia had no right to do so, yet deliberately decided to play foul.

Masuoka, frustrated by the sudden breach of rules, tried to pass Servia, before Schlesser ran away.
In order to avoid Servia blocking him, he got off the beaten path, where he hit a tree hump, damaging his left rear.
While he still managed to pass Servia, eventually the damage was too much, and they retired from the stage.

[sirimewan]

I can remember when I was a kid in grade 2 😢😢😢 golden days memories 😢😢😢😢😢

[HunterSydenhamRacing]

Im amazed he was able to still rip past him even with smashed suspension

[erichaskell]

Could we have just a little information?

[ハーバート-pr]

That is why I don't like Schlesser...

[troidesproject]

Unsportman, he must not in dakar or any other sport

[jaumejorda]

Que mierda es esta? Esto es lo que queréis que pase en el próximo "Dakar"? Sois la vergüenza del automovilismo, no merecéis usar el nombre de Dakar, que por si no lo sabéis es una ciudad que esta en África.

[MentalParadox]

Why did that lunatic co-driver jump in front of a fast moving rally car? And why are people blaming Schlesser?