The 2012 staging of the legendary Dakar Rally goes coast-to-coast in South America
PARIS: The 2012 Dakar Rally—the 33rd staging of the legendary event—started on New Year’s Day not in the Senegalese capital in Africa for which it is named but at the Argentine city of Mar del Plata in South America, the two-week race ending in the Peruvian capital Lima, a coast-to-coast run from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
Actually, this year’s event is the fourth held in South America, the rally having moved to the continent after the 2008 edition was called off in Africa because of security issues; snipers had targeted—and killed a number of—participants.
Torture test
A total of 465 competitors have entered the 2012 Dakar, comprising 171 cars, 185 motorbikes, 76 trucks and 33 quadbikes. This year’s route runs 8,500 kilometers, of which 4,200 kilometers are made up of special stages.
In all there are 50 nationalities represented in the starting list. The racing spectacle, considered as the most grueling rally in the world, is screened in 190 countries with organizers forecasting an increase in the five million viewers who followed the action in 2011.
“There will be five stages in Argentina, five more in Chile, and then four to finish with in Peru, making up 14 days of racing compared to 12 last year, said Dakar Rally Director Etienne Lavigne. “With Peru and its fabled dunes added to the program, it’s going to be an extremely tough race; there’s a great variety of difficulties.”
Up to now the circuit for motor racing’s most grueling of events in South America has begun and finished in Buenos Aires. Two of the toughest specials will be the 12th, a 246-kilometer dash from Arequipa to Nasca, and the 13th, a 276-kilometer torture test from Nasco to Pisco across the dunes.
“It’s the route which will determine the quality of this edition,” said Lavigne. “But it’s obvious that we’re looking to increase the level of sporting interest.”
Taking on Dakar
Spain’s Marc Coma, who added the 2011 moto title to his wins in 2006 and 2009, aims to add a fourth victory with France’s three-time former winner Cyril Despres one of his main rivals. Also in contention is Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel, who has won the Dakar a record nine times (six moto and three car titles), as well as Spaniard Carlo Sainz and Giniel De Villiers of South Africa.
After the success of the rally in Argentina and Chile a host of countries including Brazil and Bolivia have applied to receive the event in 2013.
“We are studying the possibilities for 2013—we are ruling nothing out. The only thing that’s certain is that the finish will be in central region of Chile,” said Lavigne.
The Dakar Rally began as the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1979. After 29 editions up to 2007, the event switched continents in 2009.
