Kenjiro Shinozuka is expected to leave hospital within 48 hours after brain scans showed he is "out of danger" following a horrific crash in the Dakar Rally.

The Japanese driver, who won the event in 1997, was put on a life support machine after suffering head and other injuries when he rolled his Nissan during the eighth stage.

His situation is very encouraging Dr Boubaker Zakharia

The accident took place in sand dunes on the marathon 727km run between Ghat and Sabha in Libya on Thursday.

Initial reports suggested the injuries could be life threatening.

But Doctor Boubaker Zakharia, the head of the clinic where the 54-year-old is being treated, said Shinozuka can fly out of Tunis within 48 hours.

"His situation is very encouraging and he is out of danger," said Zakharia.

"He has recovered consciousness. He will leave hospital within 48 hours. He can travel on a normal flight as he does not need medical assistance."

The Nissan driver is expected to be transferred to Paris when his condition has stabilised.

Masuoka wins stage

His French co-driver Thierry Delli Zotti was also said to be in a satisfactory condition.

Shinozuka, who was third in last year's race, had been in third position overall in the car section going into Wednesday's stage, 51min 20sec behind Peterhansel.

Reigning champion Hiroshi Masuoka of Japan won the stage and remains second overall in the car section.

But he cut Stephane Peterhansel's lead in the race to 6 minutes 39 seconds.

Belgian Gregoire de Mevius is now overall third for BMW some 1hr 07min 12sec behind Mitsubishi driver Peterhansel after Shinozuka's crash.

Meanwhile, Giovani Sala won the motorcycle stage, with fellow Italian KTM rider Fabrizio Meoni taking the overall lead from French rider Richard Sainct.

Stage eight results:

Cars:

1 Hiroshi Masuoka (Japan) Mitsubishi Sports three hours 57 minutes 42 seconds
2 Stephane Peterhansel (France) Mitsubishi Sports five minutes 42 seconds behind
3 Jean-Pierre Fontenay (France) Mitsubishi Sports 15:27
4 Gregoire De Mevius (Belgium) BMW 17:16
5 Ginie De Villiers (South Africa) Nissan 19:02

Overall standings:

1 Peterhansel 14 hours 52 minutes 21 seconds
2 Masuoka six minutes 39 seconds behind
3 De Mevius 1:07:12
4 De Villiers 1:14:12
5 Kleinschmidt 1:33:06

Motorbikes (all KTM):

1 Giovanni Sala (Italy) four hours 34 minutes 45 seconds
2 Jean Brucy (France) two minutes 06 seconds behind
3 Cyril Despres (France) 3:39
4 Marc Coma (Spain) 3:40
5 Nani Roma (Spain) 5:06

Overall standings:

1 Meoni 16 hours 56 minutes 34 seconds
2 Sainct 34 seconds behind
3 Roma 2:07
4 Despres 4:51
5 Sala 31:20

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