Dakar 2011 : Dakar

25-08-2010 - VW: 3 for a hat-trick!

With the Dakar 2011 in mind, on Saturday in Trier in Germany Volkswagen proudly presented its new rally-raid prototype, the Race Touareg III! By no means a revolution, it is a well-thought out development of this racing beast, with brand new aerodynamics as its distinctive feature. The goal is to grab a 3rd consecutive triumph on January’s Grand Classic!

The 2,000-year old amphitheatre in Trier was a fitting setting to welcome the gigantic show put on by Volkswagen for 10,000 guests who came to the presentation of the new Race Touareg III. It has to be said that Wolfsburg’s latest “offspring” has a lot to live up to if it is to do as well as its predecessor and consequently offer a 3rd victory in a row on the Dakar to the German constructor.

“The Dakar is a mythical event, so everything must be perfect to win it”, is the opinion of Kriss Nissen, Volkswagen’s sporting director. “The technology, drivers, assistance team, logistics... each sector is crucial. If you want to win you first need to tame the race, then beat your rivals. We have learned an enormous amount over the last few years and all this experience has been poured into designing this new Race Touareg. I’m convinced that we have found the ideal mix between evolution and revolution”.
With a better cooling system, optimised gearbox settings and increased engine power at altitude, the VW engineers have made significant changes to the mechanics of the Race Touareg III, but this is nothing when compared to the aerodynamics. Deliberately closer to the shape of the new road vehicle, the design of the Race Touareg III contributes to an increase in maximum speeds but also to better engine cooling. Furthermore, the internal system has been completely redesigned and now enables the 2.5 litre TDI diesel to boast 310 horsepower, which amounts to 7 more than the previous version.
This new racer will make its competitive debut during the Silk Way Rally, which will take place in Russia from 11th to 18th September. Afterwards, four of these cars will be enrolled in the Dakar 2011, which will take place from 1st to 16th January in South America. Unsurprisingly, the four drivers will be Spaniard Carlos Sainz, the title holder, South-African Giniel De Villiers, winner in 2009, Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah and American Mark Miller.

09-07-2010 - The Route and the Environment

Aware as always of the need for the rally raid to respect natural sites, the Dakar organisers have approached the authorities of the countries crossed to bring them into the route reconnaissance process.

In order to abide as firmly as possible by the rules of environmental protection, the team of Etienne Lavigne and David Castera did the second reconnaissance tour with representatives of the National Committee for Chilean Monuments (CNM) and of Chile’s National Environmental Agency (CONAMA). Being the country with the biggest off-road sections of the rally raid, Chile is – indeed – quite concerned by the Dakar crossing its territory, whilst the part of the rally taking place in Argentina is mainly happening on existing trails and tracks.

As it were, the recce organised during the whole of 2010 have completely integrated the environmental data in the loop. Indeed, after a first reconnaissance phase in April aimed at producing a first draft route for the 2011 rally raid, David Castera handed in the said draft in May to two governmental bodies for them to produce a pre-assessment of the intended route of the upcoming Dakar.

Then, at the end of June, Etienne Lavigne and David Castera drove – for 10 days – two archaeologists and a palaeontologist of the CNM, as well as two CONAMA representatives on a physical reconnaissance tour of the intended route, in order for them to deliver a final validation this time...

Once final validation will have been achieved and some possible amendments made to the route, the reconnaissance for the event proper will be allowed to start in September in order to define and draft the road book; this third recce phase will be longer but shall remain under the supervision and cooperation of the authorities.

“It is really great to see that the governments are keen on pushing their cooperation with our teams further”, says Etienne Lavigne. “Their presence is absolutely necessary when we are defining the route. We are doing our very best to care for the environment and to make sure that the sites we are driving through will be protected from the identification of the route onwards, but on the matter, the support of the governmental authorities is always a big plus.”

29-06-2010 - Dakar World Tour – Italy

For its final stage, the Dakar World Tour heads back to Milan. The many aficionados of the rally raid who went to the majestic Hotel of the Region of Lombardy were won over by the presentation of the challenge sent out in January 2011 in Argentina and Chile.

The Dakar hit the heights when it turned towards a new Italian correspondent, JVD, which had the task of organizing a reception on the top of the tower of the Hotel of Lombardy. Good neighbour President of the Region, Roberto Formigoni, came to encourage all the drivers and bikers who had made the journey to discover the details of the 2011 event. Inspired by flagship company Aprilia, signatory of a winning return on the Dakar with the third place of Chilean Francisco López, the Italian riders promise serious competition for their Spanish, French or American rivals. The untiring Franco Picco, again 23rd in Buenos Aires last year, will certainly have plenty of advice to give enduro rider Jarno Boano, who plans to mount a machine to take part in the next Dakar. Davide Borghesi, Aprilia team manager, will be there with a possibly more numerous team in South America, to transform the trial and head off in search of his first victory.

Before the projected images, the old lions of the Dakar, like Giacomo Vismara, once again feel the excitement of the big desert, Atacama style. Maurizio Traglio and his colleagues in Team Tecnosport count on collecting new souvenirs, after finishing in “tourist class” in last year’s rally.

25-06-2010 - Trail Hunters…

The reconnaissance team led by David Castera has already driven a few thousand kilometres and had some hitches along the way in Argentina and Chile when finishing the reconnaissance of the final route of the Rally Raid. Here is the story of the first reconnaissance tour.

It all starts with a dive into mapping software systems for weeks. The IT tool provides a realistic, a precise vision of the terrain where drivers, riders and teams of the Dakar will fight for victory. The stage cities are chosen on the basis of the software assessment. It is then time to go there and check the consistency of the draft route. This is the purpose of the first series of reconnaissance that was completed a few days ago in Argentina and Chile. David Castera, the race manager, made three stays in the field with the South-American teams of the rally to check all sites and trails on the agenda. Drawn in details after the first round of recce, the route will then be put forward for approval to representatives of the authorities in charge of environmental protection and to associations in charge of protecting archaeological sites. People from both structures shall also ride along with the team for the second run of reconnaissance that will drive the route once again this summer.

As planned, it is in the North of Argentina that David started previewing the route contenders will have to face. Immediately, the “trail hunter” has his first disappointments: “We moved very slowly because a lot of the trails did not exist or would lead us towards hills and mountains that are too high. Eventually we found a pretty wide corridor that will take us to Tucuman and then to Jujuy. In terms of landscapes, I really liked the fairy chimneys that can be seen in the background in the area. The other satisfaction of the beginning of the raid is to reuse the principle of separate stages for bikes and then cars and trucks, with e.g. more technical sections for the two-wheelers.”

For this third Latin-American edition of the raid, the Dakar will pursue its discovery of Chile up to Arica, just a stone’s throw from the Peruvian border. The stay in the Atacama Desert will – once again – be the highlight of the Chilean part of the raid: “Opportunities are almost endless around the two huge sand banks and dunes of Copiapo and Iquique. I keep finding locations each time I go there. The contenders are in for new surprises”, explains Castera talking about the stages designed in the kingdom of off-road rallying.

When inspiration is missing, chance seems to come to the rescue of the reconnaissance team looking for routes that will challenge the contenders on the way back to Buenos Aires: “After a stage where the contenders will have to fight against the white sand dunes in Fiambala, I wanted to keep the bar high and the race intense up to the finish line. But to reach San Juan, I had found nothing but useless or uninteresting trails. I was getting depressed when we met a tour guide specialized in hiking who knows the area like the back of his hand. We had a chat; he called some of his buddies to the rescue and the next day, we were five men looking for the right track for the special stage in question!” With the help of his new improvised recce team mates, David was pretty happy about the gems found by his table neighbours: “In a nutshell, it is really the most beautiful stage of the rally both for the race and for the landscape. It runs through canyons and rios; it plunges into valleys of red rocks... it is simply amazing!”

23-06-2010 - Dakar World Tour - Poland

A Dakar presentation was held in Warsaw, Poland, for the very first time - and around a hundred guests came along to see the superb National Olympic Committee installations.

Top Polish competitors were able to share their first impressions of the track with the many media representatives present.

The full Team Orlen was there - including young motorcyclist Jakub Przygonski, who took 10th place in the general standings in 2010, and was one of the Dakar’s highest hopes in the Bike category.

In cars, the media were once again seduced by the kindness of Krzysztof Holowczyk, European rally champion in 1997 - and above all 5th in the general standings of the Dakar 2009!

The Quad was also honoured with Sonik Rafal - 3rd in 2009 and 5th in 2010 – and the Polish quad rider was able to share his passion for the Dakar with the journalists.

09-06-2010 - Dakar World Tour - Chile

A presentation of Dakar 2011 took place in Santiago, Chile on Monday, in the presence of Gabriel Ruiz Tagle, Secretary of State for Sports, Institut National de Sports (IND), Grégory Murac, in charge of External Relations at the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) and David Eli, ASO representative in South America.
The biggest names in Chilean motor sports were there – among them Francisco ’Chaleco’ López, Eliseo Salazar, Carlo de Gavardo, Jorge Latrach, Felipe Prohens and Manuel Jamett.
More than 150 people came along (drivers, co-drivers, journalists and sponsors) to take part in this event at Casa Piedra - where, in addition to being shown the very best images from the 2010 edition, they learned all about the regulatory changes.
Drivers Felipe Prohens and Jorge Latrach then spoke movingly about their experience of the Dakar. The motorcyclist stressed the very demanding nature of the Dakar. For him, unless you are constantly vigilant, there’s no hope; road conditions can be changeable and sometimes treacherous. It’s therefore very import that no detail is neglected. Jorge Latrach advised novices wanting to compete to make careful physical and mental preparations.

27-05-2010 - Dakar World Tour - Brazil

Dakar World Tour arrives in Brazil in order to attract more Brazilians to the competition Sao Paulo is the Brazilian city chosen to host the Dakar World Tour event on which the largest rally of the world, which has been presented in several cities around the world. With the presence of Gregory Murac, director of External Affairs of the Dakar, the event was attended by big names in off-road in the country, as the truck pilot Andre Azevedo, who owns 23 participations in the curriculum at the Dakar Rally since its implementation in Africa, and who was present in the two stages in the South American territory. And also, Guilherme Spinelli (Cars), Zé Hélio and Dimas Mattos (Motorcycle). During the event, was presented to Brazilian journalists information about the 2011 edition of the competition, which hopes to attract a record number of Brazilian competitors in all categories.

24-05-2010 - Dakar World Tour - Japan

The Dakar World Tour stopped off in Japan. Over the years, the rally has earned a special familiarity here, through the Shinozuka and Masuoka victories in cars. In Tokyo, motor sports enthusiasts continue to take an active interest in the Dakar: the presentation of the 2011 edition brought together more than 70 guests - competitors and media representatives. The Sugawara family was there in its entirety, to begin its preparation by listening to the initial indications given by Etienne Lavigne and Frédéric Lequien. As was Jun Mitsuhashi, who is already considering how he will defend his title in the production category. The session also provided the many motorcyclists who are planning to join in with the adventure a chance to make initial contact with the rally. Representatives of the Argentinean and Chilean Embassies came along to meet the future visitors to their countries.

20-05-2010 - Dakar World Tour - Bulgaria

Tour of the Balkans continues. The organisation team was in the Bulgarian capital to present the 2011 edition of Dakar, in which the country’s top driver may be participating. Alexander Ivanov is planning an exploration of the Argentinean and Chilean territory next January, with his son as co-driver. More than 70 journalists turned up for the announcement of this event. The Bulgarian Minister of Sport came along in person, keen to offer his encouragement to the brand new team.

19-05-2010 - Dakar World Tour - China

The Dakar World Tour stopped off in Beijing, where more than 150 guests, competitors, media representatives and partners joined Etienne Lavigne for a presentation of the 2011 edition. Among those manufacturers attentive to the Dakar Director’s explanations, were: Jincheng, who spotted a future for its bikes at the rally, as did Rely and Great Wall Motors, for their 4x4s.

17-05-2010 - Dakar World Tour - Spain, Serbia, Czech Republic, Slovakia

The Dakar Tour was rich, last week – with no less than four dates. Altogether, almost 400 people travelled to it - in Barcelona, Belgrade, Prague or Bratislava.

Etienne Lavigne was in Spain to present the Dakar 2011 and meet Spanish competitors and media. In terms of bikes, the biggest names came along: Marc Coma, Gerard Farres, Juan Pedrero, Marc Guasch, … and as for Jordi Arcarons – he was accompanied by Laia Sanz, his new protégée. The quad category was represented by Jose Manuel Gonzalez ‘Pedregat’. On four wheels, Xavier Foj and Lucas Cruz came to meet the Dakar director. And the loyal Epsilon team was very well-represented at this get-together.

Balazs Szalay, Dakar correspondent in Central Europe, took care of the presentations in Serbia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

He was surrounded by many competitors: Ivan Jakes, Stefan Svitko, the Czech Dakar Team and Gabor Saghmeister.

10-05-2010 - Dakar World Tour

More than 150 people attended the first date of the Dakar World Tour on Thursday 6th May, which brought Belgian and Dutch competitors together in Eindhoven.

Frédéric Lequien, Assistant Director of the Dakar, together with Henk Hellegers and Olivier Depléchin – Dakar correspondents for the Netherlands and Belgium, respectively – were surrounded by a range of emblematic Dakar personalities.

29-04-2010 - Argentina – Chile 2011: the route and new features

The organisers of the Dakar this morning unveiled the route of the 33rd edition, which will take place from 1st to 16th January 2011 in Argentina and Chile. Competitor enrolment will open on 15th May on www.dakar.com

For this third episode in South America, the riders, drivers and crews will be returning to some places that have already written themselves into the rally’s legend, such as the white dunes of Fiambala, the vast Atacama Desert or the dizzying descent to Iquique. More particularly, they will have the opportunity to discover five new Argentinean provinces, come close to Bolivia and encounter the very northern tip of Chile in Arica, at the gateway to Peru.

In order to respect the rally-raid spirit; the rules will continue to change in 2011, with all elite riders in the bike category obliged to ride on a machine whose power does not exceed 450cc. Furthermore, the GPS functions have been reduced for guidance to the WPM (way point markers), giving priority to reading and mastering the road-book.

The collaboration between the rally’s teams and the various bodies in charge of environmental matters has continued during all the preparatory phases for the Dakar 2011, with particular care given to avoiding sensitive areas on the path of the rally’s route. Additionally, a new assessment of the race’s carbon footprint has been commissioned to determine the greenhouse gas emissions related to the rally.

For more than 30 years in Africa, and now in South America, the rally has teamed up with many initiatives to establish links with the people that welcome it. The context of rebuilding currently experienced by Chile has incited the organisers to develop aid with housing, via the charity Un Techo Para Mi Pais (www.untechoparamipais.org).

The Dakar World Tour, a series of presentations of the rally intended for competitors, partners and the media, will take place in 17 different countries, starting on 6th May.

02-04-2010 - Destination Chile

After a short stop in Argentina, Etienne Lavigne travelled to Santiago in Chile, where he met the new President, Sebastian Pinera, elected on the day the last edition of the Dakar finished.

During their meeting, the organisers of the Dakar especially focused on the country’s current difficulties brought about by the very strong earthquake and tidal wave that occurred last month. Like his Secretary of State for Tourism, who travelled to Paris on the day the destination of the Dakar 2011 was announced, Sebastian Pinera reiterated that, in this context, the rally would play an important role in helping the Chilean people “dry their tears”. Biker Felipe Prohens, also invited to this meeting at the Palais de la Moneda, confirmed that “the Dakar 2011 would be an opportunity to show that Chile is still standing”.

31-03-2010 - The Dakar is already in Buenos Aires

After the announcement of the destination of the Dakar 2011, which Argentina and Chile will be welcoming for a third edition, the time has come to start work again in preparation for next year’s event. As a result, Etienne Lavigne has been to Argentina, where he met the country’s President, Cristina Kirchner, in the company of the last edition’s national heroes.

The start of the Dakar 2011 is now only 9 months away. During this period, there will be many issues to be addressed, but for the moment there is still a certain mood of relaxation. As often in Argentina, the story started at a football pitch. Etienne Lavigne was invited to the Estadio Monumental stadium belonging to the River Plate club to watch the derby against neighbouring club Argentinos Juniors. He was given a replica of the famous white jersey with red sash by club Chairman Daniel Passarella, captain of the Argentine national team that won the 1978 world cup. In return, he offered a copy of the Dakar 2010 official book.

This first working journey was followed by a meeting with the Argentinean President who organised a press conference in the presence of several Argentinean competitors from the most recent Dakar. The Patronelli brothers, who dominated the quad category, were in attendance as was rider Eduardo Alan. Accompanied by her Secretary of State for Tourism and her Minister of the Interior, Cristina Kirchner was keen to underline the importance of the Dakar’s economic impact for her country, valued at 673 million pesos.

23-03-2010 - DAKAR 2011: ARGENTINA-CHILE, ACT III

After two editions in South America, the organisers of the Dakar are pleased to announce that the world’s leading rally-raid will take place there again in 2011.

The excellent relations built up with the two countries, the vital assets in sporting terms, as well as the swell of enthusiasm seen amongst spectators last January, have led the Dakar team to propose a third instalment in Argentina and Chile for the 2011 edition, which will take place from 1st to 16th January.

For Enrique Meyer, the Argentine Secretary of State for Tourism, “being able to count on the Dakar again is a dream come true for Argentina. For the last two years, in addition to the sporting aspect, we have displayed to the whole wide world (more than 190 countries) our landscapes and people. We are very proud to welcome the Dakar again and have worked very hard to be able to do so”.

Furthermore, the new Minister for Sports in Chile, Ruiz Tagle, explains, “It is an honour for Chile to be confirmed as a co-host of the Dakar 2011. We are convinced that this veritable international festival of sport is a perfect way of showing the unique sites of our country to the rest of the world. We would like to underline the importance of this event at a time when our country is suffering the consequences of a devastating earthquake. This Dakar will help us look toward the future and demonstrate that Chile is capable of overcoming such misfortune”.

For the coming years, the rally organisers are continuing to work on several projects, in particular the possibility of a return to the African continent.

Important dates for organisation of the rally:

15th May 2010: Enrolment for the rally opens on www.dakar.com
End of November 2010: Vehicles from Europe will board at Le Havre for the trans-Atlantic crossing
30th and 31st December 2010: Scrutineering in Buenos Aires
1st January 2011: Briefing, starting ceremony and departure to the first bivouac
2nd to 15th January 2011: Dakar Rally 2011 Argentina-Chile
16th January 2011: Finishing ceremony in Buenos Aires

The detailed route and sporting news will be unveiled at a press conference in Paris on 29th April.

07-03-2010 - Dakar book

Get a feeling of the 2010 Dakar with the official book made of more than 300 incredible pictures.

Order here or at k.bimson@silver-editions.com

18-01-2010 - The picture of the year

Natasha Pisarenko of Associated Press was rewarded by Agustin Agraz, Public Affair Manager of LAN Argentina, for the picture she took during the Dakar.