Driving a petrol version of the Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel took victory in this week's PAX Rally – the second event of the newly-created Dakar Series 2008

Carlos Sainz posted the fourth fastest time of the day, losing almost two minutes to his closest challenger Stéphane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi/BFGoodrich)

The third leg of the 2008 PAX Rally has seen Carlos Sainz take command at the top of the provisional leaderboard

Stéphane Peterhansel claimed the fastest time on the second stage of the PAX Rally in Portugal today, ahead of his Mitsubishi/BFGoodrich team-mate Nani Roma and Dieter Depping (VW/BFGoodrich)

Luc Alphand claimed the opening stage of the five-day inaugural PAX Rally which ran from Lisbon to Castelo Branco

Following last April's Central Europe Rally, the ASO-promoted Dakar Series continues with Portugal's PAX Rally which features a route of more than 2,000km between Lisbon and Portimao in the Algarve

Spain’s Carlos Sainz has won the first running of the Central Europe Rally ahead of Stéphane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi/BFGoodrich) after a final day of suspense

Carlos Sainz (Volkswagen/BFGoodrich) took his fourth leg win in the Central Europe Rally and in doing so has retaken the lead in the event by just 18 seconds