Édito
Étienne Lavigne - Director of the Dakar
Viva el Dakar. The tone of the encouragements received since the announcement of our new destination confirms our belief on the thorough nature of this one-of-a-kind race: the Dakar first of all exists through its will for discovery and by its capacity to confront the unknown. By crossing the ocean, the rally will witness an experience loyal to its values, to its temperament. Argentina and Chile give the possibility to keep the adventurer’s side that has always marked the men of the Dakar. On the grand territories that are offered, the competitors that will be taking part in this fantastic edition will have the opportunity to explore new horizons. This opening to a new continent means the passage to a new dimension for the Dakar.
Viva el Dakar, is also the echo that spreads as an answer to our desire to“discoverAmerica”.As a reconnaissance of the international prestige of the event, the expression of welcome underlines, and that’s the main thing, the significance and the vigour of the message given out by the Dakar for thirty years. Shrewd connoisseurs of motorsports, the Argentineans and the Chileans were conquered by the atypical properties of this rally, for which they have perceived both the difficulty and the subtlety. The plains of Patagonia, the Atacama Desert or the passage through the Andes mountains, in the middle of the Austral summer, will constitute an ideal field to witness the endurance qualities of the competitors registered for the 2009 Dakar. Viva el Dakar, is finally the terms of the challenge that is offered to us as organisers. At a moment when we are called to give a new boost to the rally, we have chosen to go further ahead. Despite having a solid base of knowledge, this new bet invites us to ask ourselves permanent questions and calls for our capacity to adapt. This sane exercise is carried out with enthusiasm by our teams. We know that audacity is the main condition to achieve great ideas. That’s why we have dared.
topCarlos Enrique Meyer - Argentina State Secretary for Tourism
For quite some years now tourism has become one of the main economical activities of Argentina. Tourism gathers an important chain of actors who generate an equitable development of the country and its populations. That is why it is a real pride as well as a challenge for our country to have the possibility to welcome a unique event in the World by its nature and exceptional characteristic. In 2009, the Dakar rally has decided to cross the ocean.
Argentina and Chile therefore become new destinations able to offer three types of elements: unique natural landscapes, communities and inhabitants living with a passion for motorsports and extreme adventures. One has to mention that both countries are loyal to the values of the Dakar, to its sensation of extreme adventure as well as its attraction for the unknown.
The fervour that generates motorsports has no equal.
During the official announcement of the Dakar taking place in Argentina, the President of the country, Christina Fernandez de Kirchner took control of the efforts undertaken and insisted on the fact that “it was an acknowledgement on behalf of A.S.O. of the arguments of our country in terms of landscape diversity, wealth and authenticity of its cultural heritage and the excellence of its services. But most of all, there is also in this choice, the acknowledgment that we are a warm and welcoming nation. The rally taking part in the Republic of Argentina shows an extraordinary opportunity to pursue the strengthening of our country as a international tourist destination because the broadcasting of TV footage and press articles on the event will touch the entire world, reaching millions of people who follow the event on a daily basis.That is why I wish to express to A.S.O., in my name and in the name of the government our gratefulness for choosing our country for the 2009 edition of the Dakar rally”.
For several months, Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) works in a close collaboration with the State Office for Argentinean Tourism, the Ministries directly concerned by the necessary services (security, transport, communications, health, migrations, visas and customs) as well as with the concerned provinces for a good cooperation and the good unfolding of the event, based on the fact that team work is fundamental for the success of the rally.
It is especially important in this context and taking in account the importance of the characteristics of the Dakar rally, to protect the environment. To do so, numerous meetings have taken place with the State office for the environment and notably the Administration for Natural Parks in order to insure that the course of the rally will give value to the diversity of the country without generating negative impacts on the territory.
The Dakar rally represents for Argentina a unique opportunity to promote tourism. It is an exceptional challenge that must help us reach our objective to position Argentina as a competitive tourism country, known worldwide for the diversity of its landscapes and the quality of its services.
During 15 days of competition, Argentina will be the theatre of an activity perfectly articulated between the State sectors at all levels and the private sector. A total of 2.000 people will intervene directly every day on the race. One of the main goals is to offer all the necessary security to the competitors and to the public while protecting at the same time nature on the passage of the race.
The race will also be the opportunity for the entire Argentinean society to be aware of the necessity to protect the environment, because thanks to the course the spectators will be able to discover and admire the geographical beauties of the country and understand the importance of its protection.
During 15 days, Argentina will welcome one of the most important sporting events in the World.
During thirty years, the Dakar rally has written its history. At each stage, it has generated human and sporting experiences. Argentina now adds itself as a new fundamental actor to a unique history written by thousands of people. We are sure that a new fantastic chapter will be written with this course and we hope to become the new home of this amazing event.
Jaime Pizarro Herrera - Chili State Secretary for Sports
Chile will take on the challenge
When the 2008 Dakar rally was cancelled, the organisers – Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) – weren’t the only ones who considered that South America could eventually be the theatre for the edition next January. In Chile as well, there were spontaneous reactions in favour of that possibility. And notably on behalf of our government facing the new perspective of an important international event for our territory and its regions. A possibility that other entities concerned have also taken into account. The decision of President Michelle Bachelet to bring a governmental support brought me to defend in Paris the Chilean candidacy. Thankfully with a positive outcome.
The change witnessed by the Dakar is fundamental based on the fact that for three decades it has grown in Africa. Over 800 vehicles, representing around fifty countries in the competition proves the world status of the event. The magic of the Sahara and the appeal for the unknown have had a huge impact for the rally. Today the option for adventure and open spaces remains well present: the competitors and the caravan will discover the Atacama Desert, the most arid of all deserts on the planet, tough as well due to its altitude, offering incomparable landscapes.
Added to that, the popular enthusiasm for this event was demonstrated as soon as the possibility was considered.That is why the welcome during the confirmation of the passage of the rally on our territory was extremely favourable. A wide public exists for motorsports and this passion has gained in importance with the participation of Chilean competitors during the previous editions. The support of the public will only be more intense when the caravan will arrive from Argentina.
Of course our work has already started. We strive in cooperation with other bodies – public and private – that will have a key role so that everything takes place normally. As a response to the concerns of the organisers, the environment will be protected and the ecosystem as well as the archaeological sites or the zones of establishment of different ethnic groups, will be protected. The implication of the Defence Ministry, of the National Environmental Corporation (CONAMA), of the National Tourism Service, of the Communication Direction and of the National Sports Institute (IND) will be decisive for an efficient organisation facing the stakes.
With the cooperation of the Motorsports federations as well as that of numerous private companies, we are certain that Chile will take on the challenge.