MOROCCO


Gateway to Africa

Inextricably bound to the history of the Dakar, for all competitors, Morocco is the gateway to Africa, where they will come up against their first trap-laden tracks. Drivers and riders must be immediately and unrelentlessly vigilant, as disappointments can be brutal. In 2004, Ari Vatanen, who had just moved into 3rd position in the overall classification after his 50th special victory in Er Rachidia, left Morocco two days later three hours adrift of future winner Stéphane Peterhansel.


Population: 30,1 million inhabitants
Surface area:: 446 550 km²
Capital: Rabat


The Dakar in Morocco

• 10 crossings (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005),
• 34 stages,
• Traditional stage-towns: Tanger, Er Rachidia, Rabat, Ouarzazate, Tan-Tan….

 MAURITANIA


In the heart of the desert

Crossing Mauritania is always a “turning point” as the Dakar unfolds. Everything can be won or lost in the Mauritanian sands which have warmly welcomed the rally ever since 1983. Sublime and overwhelming, its tortured landscapes can easily distract competitors from concentrating on their navigation. From Atâr to Nouakchott, via Néma or Ayoûn-El-Atroûs, gaps are now counted in hours. Disillusions pour down on the leaders. In 2004, for example, it was in Tidjikja, after going walkabout for over an hour, that Cyril Despres realized that his dreams of final victory would still have to wait.


Population: 2,6 million inhabitants
Surface area: 1 030 700 km²
Capital: Nouakchott


The Dakar in Mauritania

• 18 crossings (1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005),
• 77 stages,
• Traditional stage-towns: Zouérat, Atâr, Tichit, Kiffa, Tidjikja, Néma, Ayoûn-el-Atroûs.

 MALI


The hour of contrast

Regularly crossed by the Dakar for 25 years, Mali is a gateway onto Western Africa, a crossroad country of the sub-region which offers competitors breathtaking landscapes. Once over the vast extents of desert, the rally ventures onto the fast tracks of Black Africa, giving way to technique and driving skills. It was on these roads that, in 2004, Colin McRae in the car category and David Frétigné on motorcycle built their first special victory of their promising rally-raid careers.


Population: 11 million inhabitants
Surface area: 1 240 190 km²
Capital: Bamako


The Dakar in Mali

• 20 crossings (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005),
• 65 stages,
• Traditional stage-towns: Gao, Tombouctou, Bamako, Nioro, Kayes.

 GUINEA


Savannah and mountains

Despite Dakar visits to Guinea being few and far between, competitors feel that they are on familiar ground. Guinean tracks require the same qualities of driving as those needed for Mali and Senegal, and its villages extend the same warmth as the caravan passes through. As a bonus, vegetation here is traditionally denser and drivers and riders will find a not unwelcome “semi-mountainous” relief with a variety of landscapes that is unique in the region.


Population: 7,1 million inhabitants
Surface area: 245 860 km²
Capital: Conakry


The Dakar in Guinea

• 5 crossings (1984, 1986, 1989, 1995, 1996),
• 6 stages,
• Traditional stage-towns: Labé.

 SENEGAL


The finishing line

Via its emblematic capital, Senegal is fundamentally linked with the greatest rally-raid in the world, the Dakar. The arrival of competitors is synonymous with celebration and passion, and never fails to rouse the enthusiasm of the Senegalese public. Motor sport occupies an important place in the Dakar landscape with the legendary car race of the “Six Hours of Dakar”, organized each year by FSAM.

On the rally side, Senegal is a lesson of humility and patience. If Lac Rose is the ideal spot to round off a two-week adventure as testing as it is unforgettable, the last few laps are not always the easiest. A driving mistake, a mechanical breakdown or a heavy penalty, and the rally can just as easily be lost in Senegal.


Population: 9,2 million inhabitants
Surface area: 196 192 km²
Capital: Dakar


The Dakar in Senegal

• 25 crossings (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005),
• 77 stages,
• Traditional stage-towns: Saint-Louis, Lac Rose, Tambacounda.