While there was no real satisfaction in the rally preparation (a short time and limited budget), I am very satisfied with the state of readiness we have achieved up to now within the system we were given. I had no chance to decide anything for the 2004 rally as I was appointed team manager just before it started, but this time it's different. If the results are good, I will come in for praise, but if not, I may get a slap in the face. That is, the responsibility lies with me. Anyway, the vehicles have been well put together. Team spirit is good too. This time, our activities base was concentrated in one location in the south of France. The staff getting to know each other well by the start of the race is important for teamwork in general, not just in motor sports. Last year, many of our people in South Africa, the United Kingdom, and France did not get to meet each other until December. The lineup of three drivers is the same as last time. Ari Vatanen has a lot of rally experience and is (still) fast, Giniel de Villiers is putting in good performances, and Colin McRae is very keen to drive his second Dakar Rally and is riding a wave of excellent performances, for example, winning the Baja event he entered as a test session for the Dakar. So we really have no reason to change our drivers.

	The issues (problems) with the 2004 models were insufficient engine torque and drivetrain reliability in such areas as the transmission and propeller shaft. The 2005 models have eliminated those issues and embody improvements aimed at enhancing overall durability and potential. First of all, the engine is the same V6 as last time but capacity has been upped 500 cc, to four liters. The same VQ engine used in Nissan's street cars is used as the base but the intake exhaust valve timing uses a variable system. Also, optimizing the shape of the air intake manifold boosts the torque even though a 32-mm diameter restrictor is fitted. The torque is particularly strong in the low rev range and tractability in the sand dunes has been improved. Maximum torque has been increased by around 6 kg/m and is produced at 4000 rpm, 500 rpm less than before. While the transmission is the same dog clutch six-speed system, the dog's durability has been improved. And the chassis has a new design — a pipe-frame structure, apart from the cockpit part. The engine mounting positions and the location of the spare tire have also changed to lower the center of gravity and reduce the moment of inertia. In the suspension area, the installation points and geometry have been completely changed, with the accent now on actively controlling the roll. Externally, the only difference is the absence of the large rear wing, but content-wise the vehicle has been virtually completely redesigned. On the bodywork side, the elimination of the wing has reduced drag. To be honest, I am sure we will want to change other areas in the future, but this was what we could do in the limited time available… Anyway, the potential of the 2005 model, which offers better reliability and durability, has definitely improved. While the 2005 rally bans the use of tire pressure adjustment systems, this will surely work to our advantage.

	The UAE Desert Challenge (using the 2003 model) was a good experience, and the Baja Anta Da Serra Portalegre, a test session runup to the Dakar in which I was able to achieve an overall win with the 2005 model, gave me confidence. While I have some small worries, I am mostly relieved by that result. This time, my second attempt at the Dakar, I am more confident than last year and in some areas I can predict what will happen, but this certainly does not mean that this year's race will be simpler than last year's. This time will also be a tough rally. But I'm here because I enjoy it. (If I didn't enjoy it I wouldn't come.) I want to carry on until I win. The 2005 Nissan Pickup has been repeatedly tested with only short preparation times, its durability and other attributes have been improved, and it is well put together. There's a lot of pressure but I'll do my best.

	The UAE Desert Challenge, in which I was in the 2003 model, was valuable practice for the 2005 Dakar where tire pressure adjustment systems cannot be used. Having said this, the UAE was mainly desert, so tire pressure adjustment was comparatively easy. I'm expecting the Dakar to be more difficult because the road surfaces change from sand, to rock and so forth. This will be my second year alongside Colin, and I enjoy it very much. During the rally, you spend many days together inside the car so interpersonal relationships are very important. In that way, too, Colin is a wonderful person. This will be my fifth Dakar and I hope we achieve a good result.

	This year, too, I'm entering the Rally feeling confident. We don't know what will happen in Africa so there's no room for excessive optimism, but I am quietly cultivating a fighting spirit. The Nissan Pickup has evolved a lot again this year. In addition to improvements in reliability, they have a lower center of gravity that makes them easy to handle, and I am excited because the engine is more torquey. Tire pressure adjustment systems have been banned, but personally I like manual adjustment. I tend to think that adjustment systems make the Dakar too easy. This time I have a new navigator — Tiziano Siviero. Of course this is my first time driving with him but I have confidence in him as a professional. This Dakar will be shorter in length but from the start I'll be going as fast as I can. And then I'll just go faster. (Laughs)

	Since the days when I won the WRC twice, I have always raced with Miki Biasion. In fact I was scheduled to race with him in a camion again next time (in the Dakar Rally), but Miki gave his generous consent when I received an invitation from the Nissan team, and I was paired with Ari. To be honest, I have not yet been in a Nissan Pickup. Ari is a professional pickup driver and I respect him. I have talked to him about many things, and I have a good feeling. If I do my own job well I should be able to gain his trust. It will be a difficult race, but I intend to do my best.

	After the Dakar Rally in 2004 we carried out thorough tests in Morocco and Tunisia, and the durability of this year's vehicles has been greatly improved. On the performance side, the engine now produces more low-speed torque, making the Pickup easy to drive, the suspension was reviewed based on the geometry, the shock absorbers were replaced, and the vehicles are now more comfortable to ride in. An accumulation of small changes, each one positive, has added up to a good cumulative effect. The team spirit is positive and my new navigator Jean-Marie will make a good partner. I broke my left elbow in a mountain bike fall this spring but I'm okay now. I will use my experience of the last two years and do my very best.

	Soon after the end of the 2004 Dakar Rally, I received an invitation to join the Nissan Team. In the 90's, I was a navigator in the private NPJ team (Nissan Private Japon), which was underpinned by Nissan Motor employees. After that, I participated in 16 Dakar rallies with Dessoude, Technosports and others, and eight times was with Nissan-related teams. Nissan Shatai Co., Ltd., one of the sponsors of the Nissan Team, was also a sponsor in my NPJ days, so I feel an affinity. My partner Giniel is young and fast. I am not young (laughs) but have experience of the Dakar. We should make a good combination because in the desert it's necessary to drive slowly sometimes. Anyway, in this rally you don't know what will happen. The durability of the vehicles is one of the keys.

	This will be my third Dakar. Every year I'd like our results to get better. It's not just about winning. I want people to see us performing well overall and think well of us. This year, our activities base is concentrated in one location, but we can make use of the South African and UK assets we have had up to now.

	The 2005 Dakar is finally upon us. As Team Manager Martineau said, it's been a big undertaking to get so much done in the short time from last February. The testing in Morocco and Tunisia, and our participation in the Baja event in Portugal have yielded results, and I am relieved. All of Nissan is riding a wave of success with two consecutive wins in the GT Championships, so I hope we'll do well in the Dakar too. As well as the results, the process of achieving those results and acquitting ourselves well in battle are also important. Mr. Ghosn said that we must show our strengths in this rally. I will certainly do my best to get to the goal.