The competitors
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THRILL-SEEKERS
There is no such thing as a typical Dakar competitor, or at least they're impossible to reduce to a "stereotype". Between a biker taking part unaided and a professional driver for an official team, the resources and practicalities vary widely. But despite coming from all continents and the full gamut of career backgrounds, the competitors do share common values. While not all are necessarily out-and-out real battlers, they are attuned to the concept of competition and adept at assessing the key issues. But most of all, their determination makes them capable of deploying the resources needed to achieve a set objective. The completion of this personal challenge, whether of the year or of a lifetime, remains the driving force for the rally's participants.
From the car of the man in the street to today's buggies and Hummer, the car category has seen every manner of eccentricity. The Dakar's four-wheeled fleet is the one that most lends itself to flights of fantasy and creativity. At the same time, competing in a car is seen as the wise choice by other competitors, who opt for the tried and tested solidity and reliability of a 4x4. What's more, it offers an opportunity to share the highs and lows with a co-driver as companion.
The average speed of the 2007 winner: 91.3km/h
The average speed of the last place finisher in 2007: 36.5km/h
Number of teams on the 2007 Dakar: 181
It's probably fair to say that it's on two wheels that the word 'event' acquires its full meaning. Taking sole charge of the map-reading, driving and mechanics lends a heroic dimension to the crossing of the desert. It is this virtuoso aspect that appeals most to the bikers, who know they can't allow themselves the slightest lapse in concentration, irrespective of the terrain, the length of the special, or the time of day or night. Loners by nature, their shared lot creates unity: seeking a track for several of their number, sharing their fuel or carrying out repairs together are day-to-day occurrences for bikers on the rally.
The average speed of the 2007 winner: 81.4 km/h
The average speed of the last place finisher in 2007: 31.1km/h
Number of motorbikes on the 2007 Dakar: 231
Don't be fooled by the semblance of comfort of these hybrid machines, dubbed four-wheeled bikes or cars with handlebars, depending on how you look at it! Although the quadists benefit from superior stability to the bikers, they have to control a heavier vehicle, making the performance equally demanding in physical terms.
The average speed of the 2007 winner: 58km/h
The average speed of the last place finisher in 2007: 44km/h
Number of quads on the 2007 Dakar: 14
When it comes to sheer spectacle, the trucks invariably take centre stage. Impressive on account of their size, their ability on the tracks or in the dunes is equally striking. The rivalry to win the category may involve only a handful of teams, but the intensity of the battle gives this contest a unique flavour. For many, the challenge is centred on other aspects, as those who come to provide rapid assistance to one or more teams have a job to do. Because being in the right place at the right time is also paramount on the Dakar and the "big guns" constitute a cornerstone of this system.
The average speed of the 2007 winner: 78.5km/h
The average speed of the last place finisher in 2007: 36.5km/h
Number of trucks on the 2007 Dakar: 85