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| For immediate publication |
| 2004.11.16 |
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THE NISSAN RALLY RAID TEAM - DRIVER PROFILE
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Giniel DE VILLIERS (RSA) - DRIVER
Born 25th March 1972 in Robertson (South Africa)
Single
Lives in Stellenbosch (South Africa)
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After a superb circuit career, where he won four Touring Car Championships with a Nissan Primera, Giniel de Villiers moved over to cross-country rallies in 2000, with a Nissan Pickup.
He won the championship in the T1 category a year later. At the end of 2002, Giniel joined the Nissan Rally Raid Team, taking part in his first Dakar in early 2003. He finished fifth overall, a fine debut performance which he confirmed some months later by claiming his first overall win in the World Cup for Cross Country Rallies, in Morocco. In 2004, aged 32, this true sportsman, crazy about all-terrain biking and golf, took his first Dakar stage win. With a reputation for his excellent consistency, Giniel is a safe bet ; this year, he will be teaming up with Jean-Marie Lurquin.
CAREER RECORD
| 1993 | Stannic Group N National Class D Champion |
| 1994 | Nissan Sentra, Class B and SA Production Car Champion |
| 1995 | South African Touring Car Championship - Nissan Sentra
International Touring Car event : 2nd and 3rd (against International competitors) |
| 1996 | South African Touring Car Championship - Nissan Sentra
South African Rainbow Cup (International Touring Car event) : 2 wins - Nissan Primera |
| 1997 | South African Touring Car Driver Champion - Nissan Primera |
| 1998 | South African Touring Car Driver Champion - Nissan Primera - Awarded National Protea Colours |
| 1999 | South African Touring Car Driver Champion - Nissan Primera |
| 2000 | South African Touring Car Driver Champion - Nissan Primera - Ranked as the world's most successful Touring Car Driver
National Off Road Championship- Super Production- Nissan Hardbody |
| 2001 | National Off Road Championship - Nissan Hardbody T1 - National Production Vehicle Champion |
| 2002 | National Off Road Championship - Nissan Hardbody T1 |
| 2003 | Dakar : Nissan Pickup - 5th overall classification
Rally of Tunisia - Nissan Pickup (World Cup for Cross Country Rallies)
Rally of Morocco - Nissan Pickup (World Cup for Cross Country Rallies) -1st overall
UAE Desert Challenge - Nissan Pickup (World Cup for Cross Country Rallies) |
| 2004 | Dakar : Nissan Pickup - 7th overall classification
National Off Road Championship - Nissan Hardbody
3 wins, 3 podiums.
Currently leading the Championship (Overall and Class Championship), which will be decided on Saturday 20 November 2004 at the Carnival City 400. |
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