Although many theories were considered at the time, it was never known if the Peugeot team paid bail to the kidnappers.
He Dakar Rally It is the most demanding motorsport category in force, and it has 45 years of history that left epic races, long rivalries and more than unexpected events. Especially the first editions developed in Africasince there is no signal and a transmission of the magnitudes of now, many facts are nothing more than legends.
Among them, one of the most controversial defeats in the category is remembered. In 1988in the early morning of January 18, a few hours before the start of day 14 of the competition, the car was stolen from Ari Vatanenwho was first in the race. With a conspiracy behind, and accused on both sides, it was one of the most mysterious events in sport.
AUDI.jpg
Dakar.com
How was the robbery of Ari Vatanen’s car?
Peugeot became champion in 1987, and they had presented the 405 to sweep Africa. Although he was running with less advantage than expected, Vatanen was first in the previous days, but all the advances They disappeared along with the car that was stolen by a mysterious thief in the early hours of January 18. A few hours before starting the stage that ended in Kayes, a person entered the parc fermé where the rally racing pits were located, He got into Vatanen’s car and took him away. With so little security, no one suspected.
In addition, mechanics usually start the vehicles and drive them before the start to check that everything is in order. Even Rene Metgetwo-time Dakar winner and sports director, stated that he saw the Peugeot crossing a bridge over the Niger River.
As the hours passed, the team heard that Vatanen’s car was stolen and they received a call in which they were told that the car was kidnapped and they demanded it. 25 million CFA francsan African currency, the equivalent at that time of 100 thousand dollars to return it. He team manager from then on he decided go out to look for the carand it was a matter of hours until a neighbor reported to the police seen it so that the Peugeot team could find it.
What happened in the 1988 Dakar
Some suspected that it had been a strategy by Peugeot to change the engine, others pointed to the African security and organizationwhile other voices directed their eyes towards some of the participants, since it seemed impossible that kidnappers outside the world of competition would have known What steps to follow with the 405 T16 to be launched.
Vatanen could not show up at his scheduled departure time and after the required time window of 30 minutes, was disqualified from the test. Just two hours later, the 4×4 with Peugeot colors was found on the outskirts of Bamako with an empty fuel tank. Ari asked to rejoin the race, but due to complaints from the rest of the participants and a conflict with the regulations, he was not allowed to return.
It was never made clear If the car appeared because the thieves gave up the attempt or if they finally Peugeot paid the ransom so that his unit could not fall into the hands of the competition. The truth is that, robbery or not, The team was champion the following two years to this event.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
