Patrick Zaniroli

Patrick Zaniroli (1950 -) is a former sports correspondent, pilot of Rally-raid and organizer during 12 years of the rally Paris-Dakar. It is at the origin of the movement 4x4 in France and on the initiative of many automobile events in France.

Biography

Small son of Robert Seneshal, prewar pilot (Delage, Bugatti, Chenard & Walker…), Patrick Zaniroli is born with Courbevoie the April 5th 1950.

In 1974, it creates the automobile sports association Green Auto , affiliated with F.F.S.A. and specialized in the cross-country. In 1978 is born the automobile club Green Auto and Patrick Zaniroli launches the specialized magazine in the 4x4: Green Car Magazine . It organizes also the first championships of France of Trial. During 8 years (1978 - 1986), he is journalist with Green Auto and creates within the editions Larivière the department organization managing of the great events like the Bol of gold, the Rallye of the Atlas, Baja 500 or the Super Cross-country race of Paris Bercy.

In 1987, it creates its company of sports events and promotional: Patrick Zaniroli Promotion (P.Z.P.) and organizes during 4 years (1988 - 1992) the living room " 4x4 SHOW" on the Parvis de la Défense.

In 1994, at the request of Jean-Claude Killy, he becomes Sport director of TSO - Thierry Sabine Organization - person in charge of the layout, person in charge of the relationships to the federations, in load of the sporting organization of the Rallye Dakar. Patrick Zaniroli will initially remain twelve years within ASO (Amaury sport organization, owner of TSO) as a sport director then as a director of race. He leaves the organization of the Rally Dakar in March 2005 to launch out in other projects.

During this period, Patrick Zaniroli is not satisfied with the organization of Dakar: in 1999, it creates with his Viviane wife the Rallye of the Princesses, revival of former Female Paris-Saint-Raphaël of the Thirties and begins again in 2003 the organization of the Rally Snows and Freezes and registered as of February 2004 the test with calendar F.S.S.A of the rallys of Regularity.

In August 2005, Patrick Zaniroli lance the project of the TransAfricaine Classic , 1st rally of Regularity 4x4 rejoining Paris in Dakar. With this race intended for the amateurs but where the professionals have their place, Patrick Zaniroli tries a compromise between race and regularity and seeks to join again with the spirit of first Paris-Dakar. With the support of the F.F.S.A. and its Governed President Jacques, 1st TransAfricaine Classic takes place in November 2006.

Prize list

1970-1977 : Participation in the Championship of France of the Cross-country Rallys. Many victories - 1st with the championship in 1975.
1979: Following tests for Audi/Volkswagen, the German factory contacts it for the implementation of its participation in Paris/Dakar
1980: As an organizer of the arrival of the 1st official factory on the rally, he sees himself entrusting one of the 4 Iltis committed and finishes 2nd Rally with 10 mn of 1st.
1981: 6th of Paris/Dakar on Rover/VSD
1982 Arranges: 7th of Paris/Dakar on Rover/VSD 2nd of Pernod Irish Trophy Arranges on Range Rover/VSD
1984: 2nd of Paris/Dakar on Arranges Rover/Pacific - 2nd of Baja d' Aragon on Visa 1000 Tracks/Levi's
1985: located by Mitsubishi, he sees himself entrusting one of the 2 Pajeros engaged by the mark. 1à Dakar, it brings to Mitsubishi its 1 victory in rally-raids.
1986: Participation in Paris/Dakar on Mitsubishi Pajero/Nikon. 7 victories with the scratch. Arrive 7th at Dakar on breakage of a gear box.
1987: 2nd in Paris/Dakar on/Rover/VSD-Full Pot, 1st traditional 4x4 Arranges. Only pilot to have held head with the armada Peugeot - 1st of the Turn of Belgium on Daihatsu - 3rd of the Rally of the Atlas on Arranges Rover/Primagaz
Of 1988 to 1991: Participation in Dakar for Land Rover and Mitsubishi.

See too

Source of the article: * official site

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