DAKAR ROUTE CONFIRMED

Dakar route confirmed – Photo: Supplied

The major details about the 43rd edition of the legendary Dakar Rally have been revealed including stage routes, distances and new regulations

By DAN McCARTHY

The 2021 Dakar Rally is set to take place from January 3-15 in Saudi Arabia. Next year’s route consists of 7646km, beginning and concluding in the city of Jeddah, and includes 4767km of competitive stages.

Competitors in cars, trucks, bikes and quads will compete across the vast Saudi Arabian desert.

The 2021 event will feature special stages for the first time as event organisers look to reduce the duration and number of fast sections, hoping to emphasise driving technique and navigation skills.

“We often hear that participating in the Dakar is a victory in itself,” said Dakar Rally director, David Castera. “This is certainly the feeling that will invigorate us all on January 3rd in Jeddah.”

Organisers stress that the rally stages themselves will be as tough as we have come to expect over the 40 plus years of the event despite the challenges presented by COVID travel restrictions.

COVID-19 has not only affected the travelling between stages, it has also resulted in the lowest entry numbers in 25 years.

Importantly, the 321 strong field big names are returning to compete against each other once again with 321 machines spread among the categories.

Reigning car class champion Carlos Sainz will return behind the wheel a Mini X-Raid buggy, taking on the likes of long-time rival Toyota’s Nasser Al-Attiyah.

Throw into the mix the returning Sebastien Loeb and Joan ‘Nani’ Roma in the private BRX team and we have the recipe for another exciting competition in the car category.

All Dakar participants will head into action on January 2nd with an 11km prologue stage to determine the starting position of each competitor for the opening stage.

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