NISSAN'S first triple finish on the Dakar...The three Pickup cars set the best times , with victory going to Colin McRae ahead of Giniel de Villiers and Ari Vatanen. Three fine champions who have helped lift the team's morale after a few difficult moments.

Today's special stage, which took place on a sandy track, appeared to suit the 'drivers'...but the navigation played an important role, as there were so many parallel tracks. it was on this terrain, which rather suited the Nissan Pickup vehicles, that Colin McRae claimed his first Dakar Victory. The first, maybe, but certainly not the last, as this seems to prove that the Scottish driver has definitely caught the 'Rally Raid' bug...the Nissan trio clocked in at each CP in the lead, showing an uncontested supremacy over the whole timed sector. For Gilles Martineau, this fine triple result rewards the work of the whole team: "I am very happy this evening. Happy, because this result is excellent for the team's morale.

I would especially like to underline the work accomplished by the mechanics . Without them, Colin and Ari would never have reached Bobo Dioulasso in the allotted time. They did the work of titans out on the trail, in extreme conditions. This victory is theirs as well. Colin proved, not only that he has a place in Rally Raids, but also a place at the front. As soon as we have regained some reliability, we will be able to give our rivals something to worry about.

This is encouraging for the future. Over fast terrain, the car was perfect; we just have to improve our performance over soft sand, dunes and camel grass. We are gradually climbing the steps to get to the very top, and today, we went up another step..."