Grégoire de Mevius, Jacky Dubois and the Nissan Pickup climbed up onto the second step of the podium of the UAE Desert Challenge, set up this afternoon in the Dubai Marina. A fine reward for them, but also for Team Nissan France Dessoude. Isabelle Patissier and Bernard Irissou, tenth overall and second in the T1 category, can finally claim the world title for their class. Nissan has also claimed the manufacturers’ title. Their dream since the start of the season, they finally made it come true…
Plenty of joy and emotions on the podium to celebrate the 2004 edition of the UAE Desert Challenge. Although Hiroshi Masuoka won the event, Grégoire de Mevius had good reason to be satisfied with his result, as he explained:
“Iam really very happy. We showed just how competitive the Pickup can be. A win in Turkey and second place here – it is very encouraging for the Dakar, but also for next season. These four days of racing allowed us to test a number of things, and to really prepare ourselves for the trials ahead.
Although the Mitsubishi cars are still ahead, they can still hit problems, just like anyone. This race showed that. We are very satisfied to be able to fight with top teams, as our team does not have the means of some of our rivals. For the Dakar, as usual, it is reliability that is the key. This year, the competition should be really interesting. In Dubai, I finished third in 2003, and second this year – perhaps in 2005, I can finally win the event…”
Jacky Dubois, as discrete as usual, shared his driver’s joy : « It is really super … we showed we were able to play with the big boys. This is only my second event with Grégoire, but we get on really well. And as we’re getting the results as well, everything is fine… »
Isabelle Patissier can now let her joy shine through. After plenty of hard work, she has achieved the result she set herself when the 2004 Dakar came to an end. An exemplary performance over the season, with three T1 category wins and one second place. With a big smile, she could not resist using her favourite phrase : «What joy !” And it is really pure delight for her and Bernard Irissou (who could hardly keep still).
«That’s it, we’re here. It is a great relief and a first stage achieved. We wanted this title, and now we have got it. The first thing I wanted to say, is ‘thank you’ … Thank you to Bernard, because this title is his as much as mine. Thank you to the whole Dessoude team and to Nissan France. They were immediately behind the programme, and continued to support me throughout the season, giving me the opportunity to drive a superb car. Because the Pathfinder is really great. I would like to share this title with my partners, without whom it is difficult to compete at the top level. I am really happy, but the next stage to complete before moving up to T2 will be the Dakar. I will be driving a T1 Pathfinder again, aiming for the category win. We finished second this year, but I think the competition will be fierce in 2005. We will fight, as we have always done…”
Bernard Irissou was truly delighted: «Iam like a child … but I don’t think I’ve really realised what has happened yet. I owe so much to Isabelle. When we started the season in Oman, I never thought we could manage to win the title. It is just quite simply marvellous. For me, Christmas has come in October this year…”
André Dessoude had good reason to be pleased. A podium finish and a world T1 title, the ‘wizard of St Lô’ could not hide a little smile. André Dessoude never lets his joy or disappointment really show. Over 25 years in motorsport have moulded his character, but with Isabelle’s title and Grégoire’s magnificent race, he let drop his traditional reserve : “Today is a big day. This is not the first time that one of our drivers has claimed the T1 World title, but with Isabelle, it has a particular flavour. Since the start of the season, she has kept to the aims we set ourselves. She had a ‘mission’, and she took it through to the end. She was a climbing champion before becoming a motorsport champion. The character of a champion is something exceptional, it is not something you can improvise. Even if she occasionally has bad moods, she is determined and willing under all circumstances…
I would like to thank Nissan France for its support and the trust they placed in our team. It is very important for a team like ours to have the direct support of Nissan. This manufacturers’ title is good for us all. As far as the results of the Pickup cars are concerned, I am also very satisfied and confident for the Dakar. To finish the season with a victory and a second place shows how competitive our car can be. Of course, and like every time, there is a long way to go before we reach the beach in Dakar.”
In the meantime, Nissan has claimed a title that is much coveted by the manufacturers. This opens some fine perspectives for the coming season, as Nissan France will continue with the programme started this year. Isabelle Patissier will move up to the T2 category, and another driver (not yet named) will line up in T1 for 2005 to try and keep the title.
