Registration for the 2013 Dakar Rally - Peru, Argentina, Chile - opened on 15th May. Barely two months later, the motorbike and quad categories are already full, and the candidates for adventure now have to be selected.
305! That's how many applications the Dakar Rally organizer received between May and July. A figure that's very close indeed to the historical record in 2012, which had not been seen since the last Rallies in Africa. This only goes to confirm the growing success of the Rally on South American soil.
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220 is the maximum number of motorbikes and quads that will be setting off on 5th January from Lima in Peru, aiming to reach Santiago de Chile. The difference between these two figures is explained by the particular care the organizer takes to ensure maximum safety and convenience for the competitors, as well as optimized control over the format of the race. |
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“Apart from the head of the race, reserved for professional drivers, the Dakar Rally is by its very nature intended for amateurs: these people who love wide open spaces and adventure” explains David Castera, the event Sporting Director. “However, it is essential for them to be informed, and above all as well prepared as possible for this challenge, which is still the hardest in the world. These are the criteria we shall be selecting them on.”
In terms of nationality, the trend towards internationalization is being confirmed:
10 different Latin-American nationalities could be joining the Dakar rally's ‘traditional' motorbike and quad riders (French, Italians, Spanish) on the starting line, while strong interest is confirmed among the Australians, Dutch, and British. At the start of the 2012 event, 51 nationalities were represented.
Registrations for the car and truck categories, which already appear to be showing a plateau of quality, remain open.
DAKAR TRAINING COURSE - PARIS
To help the competitors on their preparation for the 2013 rally, the Dakar organisers have decided to set up an information and simulation course. It is intended, in the first place, for those who will be undertaking this tremendous challenge for the first time next January.
The day will take place on 28th September 2012, from 8:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., in the function rooms of the Mercure Hotel Paris Porte de St Cloud in Boulogne-Billancourt.
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Hôtel Mercure Paris Porte de St Cloud |
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Here is a non-exhaustive list of the workshops that have been put in place for the day:
- A Dakar competitor's typical day
- Navigation and the Road Book
- Use of safety equipment: GPS, Iritrack, Sentinel etc.
- Physical preparation
- Useful advice
- Questions and answers
Etienne Lavigne and David Castera, respectively Director and Sporting Director of the Dakar, will be in charge of running the day, accompanied by specialists for each workshop. A buffet lunch will be served in the Mercure Hotel function rooms. You will be asked to pay a fixed-rate individual contribution of €50.
The number of places available being limited, priority will be given to competitors who will be taking part in their first Dakar. For organisational reasons, we would be grateful if you could kindly confirm your presence before Monday 10th September.
