The forty sixth version of the Dakar Rally will begin on 5 January, with a route fully in Saudi Arabia.
This would be the fifth time that the occasion will likely be held within the Arab nation, and it’s shaping as much as be probably the most demanding thus far with a complete of 12 particular phases plus the Prologue that may open the motion.
This yr’s novelty is the 48-hour problem in what will likely be a 584-kilometre timed marathon.
A selected peculiarity in that is that opponents will begin within the morning, cease within the night and resume their march the next day.
On this stage, drivers must cease on the subsequent bivouac they arrive throughout after the clock strikes 4pm native time earlier than setting off at 7am the subsequent morning.
The full distance is 7,891 kilometres, of which 4,727 kilometres will likely be below the strain of the stopwatch.
Al-Ula will host the Prologue that may serve to dictate the beginning order, so these 27 kilometres will likely be very important to sort out a primary week that rally director David Castera has described as “very powerful”.
The primary of the particular phases will take the drivers from the city the place all of it begins to Al Henakiyah, earlier than heading in direction of Al Duwadimi. Nonetheless, problems will proceed on the part that connects this city to the subsequent bivouac at Al Salamiya.
Photograph by: Purple Bull Content material Pool
Lucas Moraes, Toyota Gazoo Racing
From there, the opponents will set off for Al-Hofuf, in a stage that’s considerably shorter than the remainder, however contains a lengthy liaison part.
As soon as these first 5 phases are accomplished, will probably be time for the 48-hour problem.
As soon as in Riyadh opponents may have time to recharge their batteries forward of the second week, which is able to begin robust with a protracted drive to, as soon as once more, Al Duwadimi, then on to Ha’il and again to the start line in Al-Ula.
From there, the drivers must full one other loop earlier than making their approach to the ultimate vacation spot in Yanbu.
The ending line will likely be crossed after a last 175-kilometre stage which loops the coastal city on 19 January, with the winner of the Touareg Trophy topped.
In complete, 778 opponents, together with drivers and groups, will battle it out in 137 bikes, 153 automobiles in all classes, 46 vehicles, 10 quads, 80 classics and 10 Dakar Future automobiles.