(Special envoy to Saudi Arabia) This Friday the 47th edition of the Rally Dakar which for the sixth consecutive time has as its sole headquarters Saudi Arabia. Everything is ready and there is promise of fighting in its six categories with several Argentines that they have a chance to fight ahead. This year the toughest race in the world presents some new features that seek to recover some nuances of the eightiesAccording to the person responsible for the event, David Castera.
This competition is part of the motor sport discipline called Rally Raidwhich takes place cross-country, unlike the rally, which takes place on gravel roads or routes. Here the participants depend on the route sheet that was just given to them the day before. Although the route was announced in November, the specific place where they must travel and the checkpoints they must meet is unknown until hours before each stage.
The route consists of 7,700 kilometers, 5,100 of them timed, that is, pure racing. For the first time and in the quest to improve safety, five stages have been outlined in separate routes for the vehicles of the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) and the International Automobile Federation (FIA). It should be remembered that both governing entities of the Raid Rally World Championshipwhose start is Rally Dakarand the contest includes five dates.
This Friday the action will begin with a 29-kilometer timed prologue. The first of the 12 stages will be on Saturday with a full route in The month. The big news is the challenge called “48 Hours”, with 958 kilometers for motorcycles and 971 for motorcycles. In addition, there will be a marathon stage (competitors do not have mechanical assistance), followed by a new crossing through the Empty Quarterwhich is the second largest desert on the planet behind the Sahara.
This year there are a total of 807 competitors between pilots and navigators. There will be a global 439 total vehicles divided between 136 motorcycles, 63 cars, 45 trucks, 54 Challenger, 39 SSV and 2 Stock. Classic vehicles are added, with 76 cars and 19 trucks; and those of alternative energies, 3 motorcycles (including the Argentine Benjamín Pascual with a Segway), an SSV and a truck.
It is worth remembering that, apart from the main race, the Dakar Classic It will have 76 cars and 19 historic trucks that will face a regularity challenge. This year the presence of original vehicles or replicas that participated until 2005 will be allowed.
In addition, there will once again be the division called “Dakar Future”, with vehicles powered by alternative energies. Linked to this will be the “Mission 1000”, which will allow five vehicles to test their innovative technologies in the rally field.
The race director spoke about the route for this edition, David Castera: “The course was meticulously designed to recreate the most challenging conditions of the 1980s Dakar.but with an adaptation to the geographical and logistical characteristics of Saudi Arabia. “We wanted to maintain the original spirit of the test, but at the same time offer a modern format that allows a constant challenge for the pilots.”
That search that posed Casteraformer runner of the competition, points to a nod to what the event was like in his years in Africawhere extreme demands were its maximum expression and, for example, in 1992 it recorded its longest journey in 46 years of history with a total of 12,427 kilometers in three weeks, when now it is two.
In reference to that historical time, in the last stage of this year there will be a start with the cars and motorcycles all togetherwhich seeks to recreate those epic beginnings in Africa. They will have a plus because they will have a additional score in the World Rally Raid Championship.
The candidates. In the most important categories there is promise of fighting. In cars there is a panorama with three official brands and teams. Daciaof the Renault Groupmakes his debut with the five-time winner, Nasser Al Attiyahwho will have the Spanish as a partner Cristina Gutierrezthe dentist who seeks to make history and be the second woman to win the general classification after Jutta Kleinschmidtin 2001. Although at home, the Qatari prince also has the Frenchman as an opponent Sébastien Loebwho achieved seven world rally titles and since his debut in the Rally Dakar He has five podiums in nine participations.
On the other hand, Ford came in with everything taken care of by the experienced team M Sportwith many years in Mundial de Rally. The oval brand has as its bastion the last winner, Carlos Sainzwho last year marked a milestone by giving the first victory to a hybrid car like the Audiand at almost 63 years old, he will seek his fifth victory in the long-distance race. The Matador has his compatriot as teammates Nani Roma and to swedish Mattias Ekström.
On the side of Toyotawhich was able to prevail in 2019, 2022 and 2023 with Al Attiyahand has as references the South African Giniel De Villiers (first winner in South America in 2009), to the local Yazeed Al Rajhito Brazilian Lucas Moraes and the American Seth Quintero. Also with a Hilux the mendocino will run Juan Cruz Yacopinithe only Argentine in cars.
While on motorcycles there are two Argentines who sign up to fight and they are brothers Kevin y Luciano Benavideswho recently joined the official team KTM. Next to the Salteños is the Australian Daniel Sanders. The army of Honda introduces the chilean Pablo Quintanilla and to the Americans Ricky Brabec y Skyler Howes. Another one that is noted is the Botswana Ross Branch.
In the category Challengerwhich is characterized by the prototypes of the UTV or sand dune vehicles, the Cordoba couple, Nicolás Cavigliasso y Valentina Pertegarinithey told Infobae that “they will go for everything.” The pilot achieved the runner-up world championship Rally Raid in the divisional and his partner the ecumenical title.
In trucks, another fight is expected between old acquaintances like the Czech Martin Macik (MM Technology), his compatriot Ales Loprais (Iveco) and the Dutch, father and son, Martin y Mitchell Van Den Brink (with separate Iveco).
This edition of Rally Dakar He promises and there are no more words. This Friday the truth will begin with the timed start and although it is a prologue that does not usually move the needle, it always serves to break the ice. In addition, depending on how the competitors finish, it will serve to set the starting order for the first stage, which will be on Saturday, also in The month.
