(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-12-27 09:56

Liu Bin will make his second appearance at the Dakar Rally when the world's most grueling auto rally kicks off in Lisbon on January 5.

Liu, who finished 47th in January, will again drive a Mitsubishi Pajero Diesel T1 for the Monarch Mitsubishi Ralliart China Team.

Liu's new co-pilot will be experienced Frenchman Thierry Pacquelet, who has participated in the Dakar Rally 17 times, both as a competitor and as a team member.

"It's great to go back," Liu said. "But I have a more realistic aim to complete the race first before trying to achieve a better placing."

Liu, whose 47th finish this year won him the second-best rookie award, went to Dubai in October for a three-day training to get familiar with his new car in the desert.

"The short stint will definitely help me this year, especially driving in the sand," the Beijing-based driver said.

"Three Chinese teams in the Dakar Rally shows the development of automobile sports in China," said Yan Jianchang, director of China's Automobile Sports Administrative Center.

"I am confident that Liu will achieve a better result, but before that, safety is our priority," Yan said. "Through our efforts, we try to narrow the gap between the leading drivers and the Chinese drivers. I believe Liu and the China team will succeed."

After Lisbon, the rally, celebrating its 30th anniversary, passes through Spain, Morocco and Mauritania before reaching Dakar on January 20.