Leading positions in the Paris-Dakar rally after eighth leg over 315
miles from Zouerate, Mauritania today:
   
Cars

1 P Lartigue	Citroen 	33:35:03
2 B Saby	Mitsubishi   	  +20:23
3 K Shinozuka	Mitsubishi 	+2:38:04
4 J-P Fontenay	Mitsubishi 	+3:12:16
5 J-L Schlesser	Buggy 		+6:23:20
   
Motorcycles 

1 J Arcarons 	Cagiva 		39:15:17
2 S Peterhansel	Yamaha  	   +7:15
3 T Magnaldi 	Yamaha 		  +11:18
4 E Orioli 	Cagiva		  +27:31
5 O Gallardo 	Cagiva 		+1:25:16


Brief commentary:

Ari Vatanen's hopes of winning a 5th Paris-Dakar title went amiss after
his radiator was broken on his Citroen during the eight stage of the
rally. He apparently was able to buy water from some nomads but his car
broke down again shortly afterwards and he had to give up, his car lying
stranded in the desert.

The lead was taken over by his team-mate Pierre Lartigue during a tough
day, which was characterised by winds whipping up a sandstorm.

Peter