The 2004 Dakar Rally (also known as the 2004 Telefónica Dakar Rally) was the 26th running of the Dakar Rally. It began on January 1, 2004, in Clermont-Ferrand, France, and ended on January 18 in Dakar, Senegal. The rally covered approximately 11,000 km across France, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, and Senegal. Stéphane Peterhansel won the car category driving a Mitsubishi Pajero, while Nani Roma claimed victory in the motorcycle category riding a KTM.
The 2004 Dakar Rally officially began in Clermont-Ferrand, France, replacing Paris as the starting city. A total of 146 cars, 200 motorcycles, and 60 trucks lined up for the start of the grueling 11,000 km journey to Dakar, Senegal.
After stages through France and Spain, competitors boarded ferries from Algeciras, Spain, to Tangier, Morocco, marking the transition from European liaison stages to the African desert stages that would define the remainder of the rally.
Competitors faced challenging Moroccan stages featuring rocky terrain and dunes. Stéphane Peterhansel in his Mitsubishi Pajero began asserting dominance in the car category, while Luc Alphand and Hiroshi Masuoka also showed strong pace for Mitsubishi.
The rally reached its traditional rest day in Tidjikja, Mauritania. By this point, Peterhansel held a commanding lead in the car category, while Nani Roma was establishing himself as the motorcycle category leader aboard his KTM machine.
The Mauritanian stages tested competitors with massive sand dunes and navigational challenges. Several top competitors lost significant time due to getting stuck in soft sand, further cementing Peterhansel's lead in the car category.
The rally entered Mali, where competitors faced varied terrain including savanna and bush tracks. The stages through Mali presented unique navigational challenges and tested the endurance of both drivers and machines as the finish in Dakar approached.
As the rally entered Senegal for its final stages, Stéphane Peterhansel maintained his lead in the car category, positioning himself for his first Dakar victory on four wheels after previously winning on motorcycles. Nani Roma continued to lead the motorcycle category.
The 2004 Dakar Rally concluded in Dakar, Senegal. Stéphane Peterhansel and co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret won the car category in a Mitsubishi Pajero, marking Peterhansel's first car victory after six motorcycle wins. Nani Roma won the motorcycle category on a KTM, and Andre de Azevedo won the truck category in a Tatra.