Volkswagen takes positive stock after "Dakar" one-two victory

305 - Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz & 308 - Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford : 1^st and 2^nd 2009 Dakar Champions

WOLFBURG : February 5, 2009 - Three weeks after its one-two victory at the legendary Dakar Rally, Volkswagen has made a provisional appraisal of the event.


"We are very satisfied with the sporting result and the immense and positive response around the world,” said Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of the Volkswagen Brand with responsibility for Technical Development including the motorsport commitment. "The first assessment by the Board was extremely positive so that we are intensively thinking about continuing our commitment at the 2010 Dakar Rally. We will take time to continue our analysis and make a decision within the next few weeks.”

Volkswagen had made motorsport history at the Dakar Rally, which is popular around the world and was staged in South America for the first time from 03 to 18 January. Volkswagen was the first automobile manufacturer to win the 9,500-kilometre endurance classic with a diesel-powered car. In the Race Touareg fitted with an innovative TDI engine Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (South Africa/Germany) as well as Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/South Africa) even clinched a one-two victory for the Wolfsburg-based manufacturer, thanks to supreme reliability.

Yesterday : Mitsubishi announced to withdraw from DAKAR.

[Source : VOLKSWAGEN]