Giniel de Villiers has been confirmed as one of the four works drivers who will compete for Team Nissan in the 2004 Dakar Rally in France, Spain and North Africa next January. The 31-year-old South African, who finished fifth in his debut on the 2003 Dakar Rally this January, will compete in an evolutionary version of the Proudly South African Nissan Hardbody Pickup used in the 2003 event. De Villiers also drove for Team Nissan in the Morocco Rally in June, winning the fourth round of the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup by almost 43 minutes in his South African-built Nissan Hardbody.
“It’s a relief to have a contract signed, and it’s an honour to be chosen as a member of Nissan’s international motorsport team again,” said de Villiers. “It’s great to compete overseas, and I’m hoping it’ll bring me other opportunities within Nissan internationally. I’m very excited.” The Capetonian’s contract involves a number of other duties, including testing and the possibility of up to three other international off-road events in 2004. “Our immediate challenge is the next Dakar, and with the experience gained in this year’s event, and more recently the Morocco Rally, there will be far fewer surprises in store for me next time round. Also, the Hardbody has undergone a number of changes that will make it even better suited to the conditions.”