These are the numbers for the 2014 Dakar: 431 participants; 174 motorcycles; 40 moto-4; 147 cars; and 70 trucks will be at the start of one of the most demanding motor races in the world.
Men and machines are ready to launch another edition of the Dakar, according to the organization, the biggest and toughest off-road race in the world. The numbers speak for themselves, this is the great all-terrain world circus: The proof of evidence. Even so, the most important off-road rally in the world will have an unprecedented feature this year: differentiated itineraries for cars and motorbikes. This is because the paths and roads that lead to the Salar de Uyuni, at an altitude of 3,600 meters (in the high Bolivian plateaus), are not yet prepared for the circulation of heavy vehicles.
Drivers of cars and trucks face 9,374 kilometres, of which 5,552 timed, divided into stages in Argentina and Chile, while motorcycles and quads will have to cover 8,734, including 5,228 of timed sections, also in 13 stages, but with a passage through Bolivia.
According to the race director, Étienne Lavigne, the 2014 edition of the Dakar will be “longer, taller and more radical”. «The Dakar is always difficult, it is the toughest rally in the world. With two days of stage-marathon, we are returning to the origin of the discipline in Africa».
In cars, Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel (Mini) is again the great candidate for victory. The Portuguese Carlos Sousa/Miguel Ramalho (Haval) and Francisco Pita/Humberto Gonçalves (SMG) also compete in this category. Good luck to the «Portuguese armada».