The 23 Rally Optic 2000 Tunisia, which starts from Nice on April 4th, will be the first round of the 2004 World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, after the cancellation of the Baja Italia. No fewer than 250 vehicles will be taking part, including 120 motorbikes, 10 quads, 110 cars and 10 trucks. The leading competitors in the category will all be present, including Team Nissan France Dessoude, which will enter six vehicles, including three with real ambitions for the event. Kenjiro Shinozuka, from Japan, will be back behind the wheel of his Nissan Pickup, accompanied, for the first time, by Pascal Maimon. This top-level duo could create a real surprise, and is an outsider for the overall win, up against the favourites. Our two companions had differing fortunes on the last Dakar, but both ended up by retiring, meaning that their motivation has been multiplied ten times for the Tunisian event. Also in the T2 class, Paul Belmondo and Jacky Dubois will try to bring their Nissan X-Trail to the finish line in the leading places. After making a superb start in the Dakar, Paul was forced to retire with mechanical problems during the formidable Tidjikja-Nema stage. He will be able to rely on Jacky’s experience and perfect navigation to get to the finish line. In the T1 category, Isabelle Patissier will be leading the dance, accompanied by her faithful navigator, Bernard Irissou. Both still elated from their win in the Oman Desert Express, their mission will be to win the T1 class. A far from simple task, as the competition will be tough. However, Isabelle has learnt to tame her vehicle over the past races, and they are now in almost perfect harmony. Her talent and motivation could just make the difference ... Three other vehicles will complete the team. ‘Client’ cars, with most notably Franc?ois Cros, who, during his first participation in a Cross Country Rally, in Tunisia 2002, finished in 6th place in the overall classification. Watch this space ... The 2004 edition of the Tunisian rally is not likely to be a picnic. Even if sand is traditional for this event, the route chosen by NPO could hold some surprises. From the very first stage in Tunisia, it will be necessary to keep a close eye on the navigation, as there will be no GPS points, and this initial stage could already claim some victims... Three special stages without GPS points are on the schedule. There are also three loops, including the famous El Borma-El Borma stage. A very selective route, with sand, dunes, and some very rough trails. The final stage will take the competitors to Tozeur, where the finish line will take place among the landscapes used in the ‘Star Wars’ films; it will be the longest stage of the rally. There will be no time to rest : the rhythm will be intense from start to finish. For Andre´ Dessoude, this Tunisian rally will be a fine start to the season: The field is of the highest quality, and the competition is ferocious. With Kenjiro, we have a good chance of managing a good result. With Pascal at his side, we can count on the solid professionalism of the crew. They both have magnificent career records. Paul and Jacky are both well placed to claim a fine result. TheX-Trail has proved its potential. In the T1 class, Isabelle is, as always, incredibly motivated. The result in Oman demonstrated both her winner’s temperament and her talent. She is more and more at ease. This team gained an enormous amount of experience in Oman. Bernard learnt a lot during that week on this sort of terrain. I am very confident. After the traditional prologue, which will take place near Nice, the rally caravan will board the ship during the evening of Sunday, April 4th, reaching Tunis the next morning. The first stage will start from the El Kantara beach (around ten kilometres from the Island of Djerba), on Tuesday morning.   scrutineering:NICE Saturday 3 April STAGE 1 : NICE / LEVENS / NICE Sunday 4 th April Liaison 41 Km - Special Stage 5 Km - Liaison 16 Km Total 62 Km STAGE 2 : EL KANTARA / NEKRIF Tuesday 6 th April Special Stage 281 Km - Liaison 7 Km Total 288 Km STAGE 3 : EKRIF / NEKRIF Wednesday 7 th April Special Stage 307 Km - Liaison 15 Km Total 322 Km STAGE 4 : NEKRIF / EL BORMA Thursday 8 th April Special Stage 328 Km - Liaison 13 Km Total 341 Km STAGE 5 : EL BORMA / EL BORMA Friday 9 th April Special Stage 262 Km - Liaison 48 Km Total 310 Km STAGE 6 : EL BORMA / RASS EL OUED Saturday 10 th April Liaison 47 Km - Special Stage 274 Km - Liaison 1 Km Total 322 Km STAGE 7 : RASS EL OUED / RASS EL OUED Sunday 11 th April Special Stage 314 Km -Liaison 1 Km Total 315 Km STAGE 8 : RASS EL OUED / TOZEUR Monday 12 th April Liaison 183 Km - Special Stage 282 Km - Liaison 40 Km Total 505 Km