Morocco


The first contact with Africa is decisive. There have never had as many good reasons for competitors to apprehend the crossing of Morocco and give it due regard. Although some might be mistaken, this is no transition phase. After three demanding stages, the odometers will be displaying the biggest mileage ever totalled on a special before going into Mauritania.


STAGE 3: NADOR > ER RACHIDIA - Monday, January 2nd, 2006

Liaison: 237 km - Special: 314 km - Liaison: 121 km
Total: 672 km

Something new to the East
He who looks will find. The fact that the title of the stage has appeared three times in the history of the rally will not be of much help, since the course of the special is totally new. Crossing the wadis, Morocco’s classic traps, will be on the menu, and the first major errors of navigation are to be anticipated. Those used to old-version GPS technology could pay the price for a tricky period of adaptation.



STAGE 4: ER RACHIDIA > OUARZAZATE - Tuesday, January 3rd, 2006

Liaison: 56 km - Special: 386 km - Liaison: 197 km
Total: 639 km

Gateway to the desert
This could be considered as a Dakar classic, but there is something unknown here too. It is perhaps the rally's most varied special. With the first dunes, it will doubtless be the time to get out the shovels and sand mats, before taking on the shotts, stretches of sandy or stony wadis… It's a time for co-drivers to bury their head in the road-book, not in the sand.



STAGE 5: OUARZAZATE > TAN TAN - Wednesday, January 4th, 2006

Liaison: 187 km - Special: 350 km - Liaison: 282 km
Total: 819 km

The wadi road
Communication between driver and co-driver will have to be fine-tuned to a maximum on account alternate fast stretches and navigational traps. In comparison to the 2005 edition, competitors will have almost tripled their mileage in specials before leaving Morocco. The timing of the 1,250 kms already covered should produce a coherent classification.