A historical number of entries
Each year the Dakar attracts more and more participants, more adventure and desert enthusiasts. The 2005 edition follows the same pattern. Indeed, 695 vehicles will be at the start of this 27th edition, with no less than 230 motorcycles, 165 cars and 70 trucks, along with the 230 Assistance vehicles. After the 1988, 1985 and1987 rallies that registered respectively 603, 550 and 539 vehicles entered (assistance included), this 2005 edition sets a new record in terms of participation.
With 39 different nationalities and 62% of foreign competitors (15% extra-European) represented at the start, the increasingly international association of the rally is once again confirmed this year. The French still make up the largest contingent with 38% of the entries, followed by Spain (13%), Italy and Belgium (11%), the Netherlands (7%) and Great-Britain (4%).
Furthermore, this year more than ever before, ASO was overwhelmed with the explosion of bulk entries for the race.
The maximum limit of entries in the motorcycle category was reached as early as August and at the beginning of October entries were also full in the car and truck category. The organisers were hence obliged to close all entries in mid October in order to guarantee optimal race conditions, in terms of both sporting and conviviality at the bivouac.
In 2005
• 1,250 persons registered, 695 vehicles at the start,
• an international line-up: 39 nationalities present at the start,
• a rally for everyone: 80% amateurs, 20% professionals,
• a race whose turnover in participants is constantly renewed: 20% of competitors will be participating for the first time in car and 40% in truck,
• an intermixing of generations,
Car
18-39 years: 50%
40-49 years: 44%
+ 49 years: 6 %
Motorcycle
18-39 years: 35%
40-49 years: 45%
+ 49 years: 20%
Truck
18-39 years: 32%
40-49 years: 42%
+ 49 years: 26%
The competitors (2004 figures)
| Western Europe |
Eastern Europe |
Africa and Middle East |
522 competitors
| France: |
257 |
| Spain: |
65 |
| Italy: |
51 |
| Belgium: |
48 |
| Netherlands: |
28 |
| Great-Britain |
22 |
| Germany; |
14 |
| Switzerland, Andorra: |
7 |
| Austria: |
6 |
Monaco, Denmark,
Sweden, Portugal: |
3 |
| Croatia, Finland: |
2 |
| Greece |
1 |
|
63 competitors
| Hungary: |
18 |
| Czech Rep.: |
15 |
| Latvia: |
11 |
| Russia: |
10 |
| Poland: |
4 |
| Slovenia: |
3 |
| Lituania: |
2 |
|
30 competitors
| South Africa: |
10 |
| Senegal: |
10 |
| Israel: |
4 |
| Tunisia: |
4 |
| Qatar : |
1 |
| Ivory Coast: |
1 |
|
| Asia |
America |
26 competitors
| Japan: |
20 |
| Australia: |
2 |
| China: |
2 |
| Singapore: |
1 |
| Thailand: |
1 |
|
15 competitors
| USA: |
5 |
| Brazil: |
4 |
| Canada: |
3 |
| Guatemala: |
1 |
| Chili: |
1 |
| Mexico: |
1 |
|
| |
Start |
Finish |
Race vehicle
Motorbike
Car
Truck
Assistance
Press and TV vehicles |
400
195 (10 quads)
142
63
95
21 |
163
65
60
38
na
na |
