23.12.2004 Rally legends, Miki Biasion and Markku Alén, will be at the wheel of a Motorsport Italia-entered Iveco Eurocargo truck when the famous race to Dakar kicks off in Barcelona on 1st January 2005

Two legends of the rally world, Miki Biasion and Markku Alén; a truck, the Iveco Eurocargo, which has changed the history of transport, and that of the “All Terrain” rally; and the great Italian tyre brand Pirelli, will be at the starting line of the 2005 “legendary Dakar”.

The Motorsport Italia team, which has been taking part in the most famous rally in the world in Iveco trucks for three years, has entered two teams which will face the challenging route of over ten thousand kilometres, with an eye on the top spots.

Miki Biasion needs no introductions. His track record speaks for itself: two world rally titles with Lancia Delta Integrale, and his results in the “All Terrain” sector, with another two world titles won with an Iveco Eurocargo in 1998 and 1999. At his side will be his trusted navigator Tiziano Siviero.

Markku Alén is unanimously considered one of the most greatest rally drivers of all time. With Fiat 124 Abarth and Fiat 131 Abarth firstly, and then Lancia Stratos, Lancia 037 and Lancia  Delta S4, he has driven to victory on dirt roads worldwide. The teams, with three drivers per vehicle, will also feature drivers of great experience such as Livio Diamante, a Dakar veteran, and Toni Guido, who has nine entries to his credit.
 

Former Lancia factory rally driver Miki Baision has in recent years become an established Rally-Raid star, last year he drove for Mitsubishi on the legendary Dakar event

Former Lancia factory rally driver Miki Biasion has in recent years become an established Rally-Raid star, earlier this year he was one of the leading drivers for the front-line Mitsubishi team on the legendary Dakar event, an outing that ended in retirement

Rally legends, Miki Biasion and Markku Alén, will be at the wheel of a Motorsport Italia-entered Iveco Eurocargo truck when the famous race to Dakar kicks off in Barcelona on 1st January 2005

Rally legends, Miki Biasion and Markku Alén, will be at the wheel of a Motorsport Italia-entered Iveco Eurocargo truck when the famous race to Dakar kicks off in Barcelona on 1st January 2005


The two Iveco Eurocargo 140E24 WS trucks taking part in the rally are fitted with Tector 6 cylinder 6 thousand cc engines. These trucks are part of Iveco’s medium weight range, derived from the standard model. The main modifications regard the set-up, with reinforced shock absorbers, and the inclusion of a system to regulate tyre pressure while driving, essential for this type of rally. The tyres fitted on the two Iveco Eurocargo 140E24 WS trucks are officially supplied by Pirelli.

The tyres being used are Pirelli PS 22 Pista, 14.00 R 20 size, part of the standard range, which guarantee top performance in terms of endurance and reliability.  The Pirelli PS 22 Pista in particular boasts excellent “floating” properties at very low pressure in extreme environments like sand, and excellent tear and cut resistance, making them the best choice for tackling a route like Dakar.

The legendary rally is set to get under starter’s orders on 1 January 2005, leaving from Barcelona, and will take place on a route that the organisers define “classic and selective”.

After crossing Spain, competitors will encounter the first African “specials” in Morocco. Then in Mauritania there are many route options waiting to be discovered, to the “joy” of the navigators. After a number of legs in the Sahara, the race heads into the tropical forests of Mali, then on to Senegal, where participants will meet up on Dakar beach on 16 January 2005.