How the Dakar Rally Works

The Dakar is not your grandfather's motor sport rally. Nearly 500 racers from more than 50 countries compete each year in the 14-stage race. Billed as the most dangerous race in the world, 59 people have died either participating or watching as spectators. In 2010, a woman in Argentina died after being struck by a vehicle that veered off course. She was one of more than 20 race fans who have been killed over the years [source: CNN]. In 2012, Jorge Martinez Boero, an Argentinean rider, died on the first day of the event after he suffered a heart attack after falling off his bike [source: Discovery.com].

What makes Dakar so dangerous? The rally pits drivers not only against one another, but also against some of the most extreme terrain in the world. While the biggest challenge in Africa was its deserts, South America has many more obstacles. The 8,000-mile (12,875-kilometer) race winds through Argentina, Chile and Peru.

The race is composed of three groups of modified vehicles including motorcycles, quads, cars (which include dune buggies and SUVs) and trucks. Drivers must complete every stage in their class. During each leg, competitors must follow a specific route using a map. Drivers have to find their own way. In the end, everyone is supposed to end up at the same place, but people often get lost [source: Dakar.com].

Competitors must withdraw from the race if their vehicles are damaged beyond repair. They must also withdraw if they are seriously injured. Marcos Patronelli, an Argentine quad A.T.V. racer who won his class in 2010, withdrew early in 2011 after a previous injury became too much for him to handle [source: Schultz].

The Dakar is mesmerizing and thrilling. Competitors are treated to an array of unusual environments, including the grand sand dunes of the Atacama Desert and the awe-inspiring snow-capped Andes mountains. While the sport is exhausting and dangerous, many people rail against the rally believing it harms the environment. Not only do a thousand or so vehicles --including support trucks -- race across the landscape, but millions of spectators flock to the course each year [source: McGowan].

In 2012, Argentinean environmentalists questioned whether race officials were ignoring the environmental damage in their quest to find the most dramatic and challenging course. Environmentalists say many of these areas are not suitable for the avalanche of racers, vehicles and spectators [source: McGowan]. Llamas, flamingos and other animals are often in the way when racers cut across their habitats.

The race also motors through archaeological sites that date back thousands of years [source: Roming]. In 2009, Chile's Council on National Monuments issued a report blasting the race for causing severe damage to the archaeological sites in northern Chile. The report said racers destroyed artifacts such as arrowheads, spear points, human bones and other relics dating between 9000 B.C. and 1500 B.C. [source: Estrada].

Not only are racers damaging the environment, but environmental officials also say the drivers are breaking traffic laws on local roads. One group published a series of online pictures showing Dakar drivers running local motorists off the road [sources: McGowan; Roming].

Race organizers say they pay careful attention to preserving sensitive sites. In fact, organizers say they work with Argentinean, Chilean and Peruvian authorities when drawing up the route [source: Dakar.com].

Critics also charge that the rally spews a huge amount of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. For their part, race organizers say that by 2013 the rally will reduce its carbon footprint directly and indirectly linked to competitors, support crews and others. Moreover, Dakar officials, through various projects, say they have saved almost 296,526.46 acres [120,000 hectares] of Amazon rainforest in Peru [source: Dakar.com].

From the perspective of racing officials, the Dakar rally is throwing environmental and historical protection into high gear.

All sports have an iconic figure, and Thierry Sabine is a legend among rally fans. He died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 14, 1986 as the eighth edition of the Dakar Rally was underway. Sabine was a daredevil from the get go, driving in various rallies and circuit races across the planet.

Related Articles

More Great Links

Sources