Dakar 2009 : Dakar

05-09-2008 - RECOS - DAY 1

Here we are in the first chilian speciale. Winter is here (we are in the South Hemisphere) : cold and rain came along with us on our first day.

With that bad weather, we were all scared of the bivouac to come and were looking for some dry place at night time. We got lucky and what could have been a humid and sad evening ended up as a very good time. Indeed, a school where the 25 students stayed over night welcomed us.

They finished their school work very fast to climb on our cars, truck and surf the internet on our computers. Then, it was time for a photo session when we gathered all the material from memories from the last recos.

A very good and special evening that only the Dakar and the recos can offer us.

Tomorrow, we’ll keep working on our way to La Serena, the finish of that first stage with a wonderful bivouac on the Pacific Ocean.

Hasta pronto ! 

04-09-2008 - THE DAKAR RECO

Here we are on our way to accomplish the last reconnaissance in South America.

Indeed, after four months of search we are finishing up the course and writing the road book.

We invite you to follow our trip almost every day with pictures and text.

Our trip starts on the second week of this edition of the Dakar, in Valparaiso, Chile.

Tomorrow you’ll find our first pictures of the Valparaiso - La Serena stage

The Dakar reco team

10-07-2008 - THE 2009 DAKAR SOLD OUT !

More than 550 entry forms have been received six months ahead of the start, it’s already a success for the Dakar Argentina-Chile. Because it really is “the Dakar” that will be run in Argentina and Chile from January 3-18, 2009.

New regions worthy of the most difficult rally in the world will provide the competitors all they will require to push their limits. Those who like to surpass their capabilities have answered in mass for this all-new challenge.

From May 15 to June 15, the competitors who had been chosen for the 2008 Dakar were given a sign up « grace period » and they will make up 65% of the field of the next Dakar.

After the six weeks following the start of the inscription period, more than 500 teams had already been chosen, after a review of their entry form, to take part in the next edition of the rally. Among them, 16% are first time participants

The field will be, as last year, world-class with the presences of factory teams and the top independent teams. 

This summer, the reconnaissance runs will continue on as will all the preparations in order to ensure this new challenge is a success.

Unchanged, unequalled, inimitable, the Dakar remains the Dakar

11-07-2008 - Etienne Lavigne : “the Dakar has to be the toughest race in the world.”

What conclusions can be drawn about registrations for Dakar 2009 ?
The result is excellent. It’s a real success ; we’ve received almost 600 applications. There is a very real enthusiasm for the 2009 edition. This proves, quite simply, that the Dakar is unique – always a great adventure, and it is inimitable. The Dakar goes on - and continues to inspire dreams.
I would like to take advantage of this interview to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the competitors who’ve registered for the Dakar 2009, in spite of the difficult context, -those people have shown a great deal of confidence in us.
 
Can you tell us a bit more about Dakar 2009 ?
This will be a really great event ! Believe me, we have rarely been so excited as we were by what we saw on our reconnaissance trips – what a discovery !
Breathtaking landscapes, and such incredible diversity ! Time and time again, we stopped in our tracks - simply to admire our surroundings. It is indescribable – nature in a pure state.
 
In concrete terms, what is the course like ?
The route is ambitious - remember, we’ll be doing 6,000 km of specials ! It will be extremely varied - there will be fast, very fast, steering, sand, and dunes – drivers will need the skill to adapt to different race conditions from one day to the next. The route will be both testing and demanding... People will have to be very well prepared, physically.
 
So should competitors expect a difficult route ?
Yes. We are organising the Dakar, not a walk in the park, and the Dakar has to be the toughest race in the world.
 
In practical terms - will there be bivouacs ?
Of course ! And every day ! This is another example of where competitors are going to be very surprised. We’ve selected extraordinary locations – for example, alongside the Atlantic and Pacific oceans ! And in the middle of the Pampa, we’ll be offering sumptuous and wild bivouacs ! In places where we can really make the most of the natural environment around us !
The ‘Bivouac’ spirit with catering, briefings, all the competitors coming together to share their experiences… It’s essential, this is the Dakar spirit, these are our values.
 
So the competitors won’t be staying in hotels ?
No ! As in Africa, it’s a personal choice. Those who want to stay in hotels can drive a few kilometres and find just what they’re after…
 
Is the Dakar popular in South America ?
For our friends in Argentina and Chile, hosting the Dakar is like organising the World Cup ! When the competitors are welcomed by 500,000 spectators in Cordoba, the words ‘human warmth’ will really come into their own ! The enthusiasm being generated by the Dakar in Argentina and in Chile is immense, the participants will receive a real hero’s welcome.
 
Changes to the rules ?
The technical regulations for cars, bikes and trucks will be identical to those for the Dakar 2008.
 
What about the media ?
There are no worries on this front ! The Dakar will be broadcast in 180 countries ! The media actively seek to be part of the adventure; their level of curiosity is very high.
Amateurs will be at the forefront, and we want to take advantage of this new Dakar to remind people of a few essential values: this is above all a course made for amateurs, with the presence of professional teams. This is where the magic of Dakar lies.
The T2 category will also be very well-supported – to give a simple example, the T2 vehicles will be identified by very brightly-coloured plate backgrounds, so that journalists will be able to identify the vehicle category in an instant.
 
A word on the venue for the next Dakar ?
All the categories will be fiercely contested, as they were at the Central Europe Rally ! And above all, we should enjoy a fabulous race from the independents ! Gache, Delecour, Lavieille, Muller, Monteiro, Gordon, Henrard, Kahle, Patissier, Errandonea, Vigouroux... I’m bound to have forgotten someone… And in T2 – what a fight ! The differences are often infinitesimal !
As for the bikes, again the number of outsiders is impressive...
As well as the trucks, which are once again going to offer us a superb race !
 
How does your calendar look over the next few months ?
A third reconnaissance phase in July, September and October. Then preparation for the first part of the Le Havre scrutineering – a busy schedule !

13-05-2008 - Argentina and Chile: from an ocean to another

On the occasion of the official presentation that was held late in the afternoon at the Théâtre Marigny in Paris, Patrice Clerc, President of Amaury Sport Organisation and Étienne Lavigne, director of the Dakar, have unveiled the main lines of the course of the next edition in the presence of Carlos Enrique Meyer, Argentina’s State Secretary for Tourism and of Jaime Pizarro Herrera, State Secretary for Sports of Chile. Returning from a series of reconnaissance taking place in both countries of South America that will be welcoming the Dakar for the first time, Étienne Lavigne gave out some information on the event that will take place from the 3rd to the 18th of January 2009.

On the vast Argentinean and Chilean territories, a large loop of 9 000 kilometres including around 6 000 kilometres of specials, will have to be covered by the competitors to reach Buenos Aires, start and finish place of the race. By first of all heading south towards the landscapes of Patagonia, the drivers and riders will then have to cross the Andes Mountains before enjoying a rest day at Valparaiso on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. The return trip will then take them to the Atacama Desert and notably to the Argentinean provinces of Catamarca, of Rioja and of Cordoba.

The Dakar that has a vocation to discover unknown territories for off-road rally amateurs will cross over the Atlantic Ocean for its 2009 edition. The calendar has therefore been adapted in order to allow the shipping of the vehicles to Argentina’s capital: a first phase of technical and administrative scrutineering will take place on the 26th and 27th of November at Le Havre where the European vehicles will be boarded on ships. The organisers of the rally have announced the opening of the period to send registration files as of the 15th of May. During a month, the competitors that had registered for the 2008 edition of the Dakar will benefit from a priority.

The major dates of the 2009 Dakar

• 15th of May - 30th of June 2008: reception of registration files
  
• 26th - 27th of November 2008: first phase of technical and administrative scrutineering at Le Havre.
  
• 31st of December 2008 - 1st of January 2009: second phase of technical and administrative scrutineering at “La Rural” Palace in Buenos Aires.
  
• 2nd of january 2009 : briefings and start podium
  
• 3rd of January 2009: start of the first stage from Buenos Aires, on the “Plaza de la Republica”.
  
• 10th of January 2009: rest day at Valparaiso.
  
• 18th of January 2009: finish in Buenos Aires

30-04-2008 - On the tracks of Chile

Follow David Castera on the tracks of Chile

22-04-2008 - On the tracks of Argentina and Chile

Hello to all of you,

Here we are having set off on the tracks of Argentina to prepare the next Dakar rally.

For the last week, we have been travelling to every corner of Argentina and it is a satisfied man who is writing these few lines to you.

Satisfied with the landscapes we have crossed, the inhabitants’ welcome, the exceptional encounters with lamas, turtles, ostriches, pink flamingos and above all, very satisfied with the stone, dirt and sand tracks on which the next rally will take place.

All of these things have ended up persuading me that the 2009 edition of the Dakar will be a great year, worthy of its name, where adventure, surpassing oneself, sport, competition and mutual aide will be more than ever present.

You will find a few photos enclosed which will allow you to share our wonder.

Soon we will arrive in Chili and I will send you a short message from there.

We hope to see you soon and I wish all of the participants in the Central Europe Rally good luck.



David Castera and his team

17-04-2008 - Dakar 2009 application - Guide book

Frédéric LEQUIEN, Deputy Motosport Director, presents the Dakar 2009 registration terms and conditions.

From when and until when can I submit my application dossier?

The period for filing dossiers will run from 15th May to 30th June 2008. We wanted to give priority to competitors of the 2008Dakar. In concrete terms, all 2008 Dakar competitors who want to take part in the 2009 Dakar will automatically be selected. But beware, the priority period will end on 15th June 2008.

Where can I find an application dossier?

On www.dakar.com from the beginning of May as well as in the 2009 Dakar presentation and registration brochure that will be sent to you. Finally, for those of you who have still not received it, you can apply through the competitors department (concurrents@dakar.com).

I did not sign up for the 2008 Dakar. What are my chances of being selected?

Your chances are good! One piece of advice, send in your application dossier as early as possible after 15th May, attach photos and as much information as possible so as to give yourself every chance of success.

How do I produce a “good dossier”?

First of all, those selected for the 2008 Dakar will not have to complete the information sheet. For all new applicants, all documents are compulsory and once again add anything than can enhance your application (book, sports CV, vehicle used,...)

What are the changes going to be in terms of budget for competitors with this South American “start”?

Signing up charges are exactly the same as in 2008! Return sea transport will be fully covered by ASO! The Dakar in Argentina-Chile will not be more expensive, competitors can even make real savings on items such as fuel.

When will I know if I have been selected?

From early July.

When and how will vehicles be transferred to Buenos Aires?

We will give you much more information at the conference which will be held on the Champs Elysées in Paris on 13th May, but we can tell you here and now that loading will be in late November. Competitors will undergo the technical checks and some of the administrative checks there. Competitors will then rejoin their vehicles in Buenos Aires.

12-02-2008 - The 2009 Dakar rally : on the tracks of South America

Patrice Clerc, President of Amaury Sport Organisation and Etienne Lavigne, Director of the Dakar, have announced that the 2009 Dakar would take place in Argentina and Chile from the 3rd to the 18th of January. They promise an amazing course, a 9000 km loop including 6000 of specials between Buenos Aires, Valparaiso and Buenos Aires. The Dakar rally, the legendary event of the off-road rally discipline, will for the first time go to South America in 2009.

During the last thirty years, the race has forged itself a legendary reputation on the African territory that helped it grow and become one of the major events of the international calendar. The Dakar will know how to keep and maintain values and a unique spirit. A first choice sporting competition that mixes great champions and amateurs, the event has become extremely international throughout the years, uniting up to 52 different nationalities. Added to that, the Dakar gathers a state of spirit driven by a quest for adventure, open-mindedness and discovery. A nomadic event by excellence with 21 African countries visited during its history, it has the vocation to explore the deserts of the World and A.S.O. studies the possibility for other territories to welcome the Dakar.

While keeping an undamaged challenge, the 2009 edition has accepted the invitation of Argentina and Chile, countries with which A.S.O. was in contact for several years.

The organisers were seduced by the discovery of territories where navigation, sand, and crossings will be on the menu. Argentina and Chile gather all the ingredients for a fantastic Dakar both in terms of the level of the varied topography and the splendour of the landscapes or through its infrastructures. The enthusiasm launched by the prospect of welcoming the event promises a great Dakar.

The registrations for this new challenge will start on the 15th of May 2008. The competitors registered for the 2008 edition will have priority and will benefit during a month from a similar tariff as this year’s one.