Mini wins 2014 Dakar Rally

A Mini All4 Racing has won the car category in the 2014 Dakar Rally, piloted by drive Joan Roma.

The car, styled like the Mini Countryman and racing for the Monster Energy X-team, crossed the finish line in first place, over five minutes ahead of second-place driver and team-mate Stephanè Peterhansel. All top-three podium positions were taken by Mini All4 Racing cars.

In total, Mini vehicles won 11 of the 13 Dakar Rally stages, and won the car category for the third time in a row since first entering the rally in 2011. 

Elsewhere and Iveco achieved second place in the truck category, with Gerard De Rooy driving a Powerstar truck to second place. His truck is powered by a 13-litre engine producing 888bhp and 811lb ft of torque. First place was taken by Russian Andrey Karginov in his Kamaz truck.

The Race2Recovery team, which has its sponsorship deal with Land Rover renewed in November, has faced a tough rally with only its racing truck finishing the event. The team was forced to retire its two cars following accidents. The truck finished in 49th place.

The Dakar Rally started in Rosario, Argentina, with the 9,374km route finisheing in Valparaiso, Chile. On the way, teams faced challenges like the Andes mountain range, and the Atacama Desert.