He won his ninth title in January this year. The 41-year-old French phenomenon won the Paris Dakar Rally riding a Yamaha motorbike in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1998, and then again driving Mitsubishi Pajero SUVs in 2004, 2005 and 2007, making him one of the most successful drivers in the history of that race.

On a visit to Thailand for the ongoing Bangkok International Motor Show at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Peterhansel met the Thai media at Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel.

"The Lisbon Rally [formerly known as the Paris-Dakar Rally] is a real test for the limits of human endurance," he said. "It's a tough and exhausting race over 15 days covering over 7000 miles across the hot deserts of Africa passing through Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali and Senegal," he said through an interpreter.

"To overcome the rigours of the world's greatest rally like the Lisbon Rally, you have to make yourself 100 per cent fit physically and mentally. That's why I had to prepare myself for this demanding event by going on marathon runs and long rides on bikes. This will improve the cardiovascular system and my health condition in particular," he said. Asked why he had switched from riding motorbikes to driving cars, Peterhansel said, "I think I have already achieved what I had yearned for in my career [setting a record of winning it for six times]. Also, the level of danger for motorbike riders is extremely high. Many have died or are seriously injured each year. You might fall on the downslope of a dune and have a four-wheeler land on you.

"The last reason is riding a motorbike is a lonely activity, but in a car rally, you also need a navigator with whom you can share your experience during the tough battles in the vast desert."

Peterhansel drove a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution to capture three wins in the Lisbon Rally in four attempts. "l had crew and navigator Jean-Paul Cottret. I must give great credit to his kind assistance for our success in the rally," he said.

Taking part in the car rally category, Peterhansel decided to join Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart right from the time he shifted from motorbikes to car rallies.

"I think joining Mitsubishi is the best thing I have done in my career. The company has a lot of well-trained staff. I don't think the driver alone can succeed in such a tough competition. We need excellent teamwork and in my opinion, only Mitsubishi has such a thing."

Peterhansel said he had set his sights on winning the Lisbon Rally for the 10th time next year. "I think the goal is not beyond reach. It can be a dream come true. And if I hit the target, I will call it a day and start to live my life happily as, if I'm not exaggerating, I would be one of the world's greatest rally drivers.

Speaking of Thai driver Mana Pornsiricherd,  - driving a Mitsubishi Triton - Peterhansel said he is still young.  "I think he needs more training and competing to gain more experience. He has the potential to go far despite the fact that he did not finish the race in his debut attempt last year. But he came back stronger to cross the finish line successfully early this year."

Teerapot Taweewanabul

The Nation