DAKAR 2012: IT’S PERU!

As the condor (rather than the crow) flies, almost 5,000 kilometres separate Mar del Plata from Lima. In 2012, the Dakar will be staging a pan-American adventure of more than 9,000 kilometres in total. Unlike previous year’s loops, the route will transport the rally from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean to those of the Pacific, enabling its competitors to discover new lands and another aspect of South America. The scale of this challenge has also led to a change in the race’s format, which will include 14 days of racing in 2012. Constantly guided by the Andes Mountain range, the drivers and riders will be crossing the Atacama, and will experience in particular the diversity of the dunes as they head into Peru.

THREE COUNTRIES: ARGENTINA - CHILE - PERU

See the map in large size (PDF, 368 ko)

Argentina: heading for the hills

Grand Start + 5 stages

The competitors will be getting to the heart of the sporting matter on 1st January, after the starting ceremony at Mar del Plata. Used to journeying through Argentina, the riders, drivers and crews will this time be making a bee-line for the Andes Mountains. Only a few familiar landscapes as well as some first-rate sections, including dunes and canyons, have been selected for the Argentine part of the programme in 2012.

Chile: en route for the Atacama

5 stages + 1 rest day

The rally will enter Chile with a spot of climbing. After having travelled over the Andes, the rally will then start to follow the range to its tip, working their way up between the mountains and ocean. During this journey northwards, the Dakar will be delving in to the heart of the Atacama Desert, where navigational skill is just as important as the ability to tame the dunes.

Peru: another face of the desert

4 stages + finish

Au niveau de la mer, le passage de la frontière est cette-fois-ci indolore, mais le contraste est bien réel. Avant de rejoindre Lima, les plus anciens du rallye peuvent se préparer à réviser leurs classiques. Les secteurs de dunes péruviens peuvent paraître interminables, sauf à ceux qui maîtrisent le mauritanien. Là où la diversité des territoires et des modes de vie s’impose comme évidente, celle des sables exigera un apprentissage délicat.

DATE	START	FINISH
01/01/2012	Mar Del Plata	Santa Rosa de la Pampa
02/01/2012	Santa Rosa de la Pampa	San Rafael
03/01/2012	San Rafael	San Juan
04/01/2012	San Juan	Chilecito
05/01/2012	Chilecito	Fiambala
06/01/2012	Fiambala	Copiapo
07/01/2012	Copiapo	Copiapo
08/01/2012	Rest day
09/01/2012	Copiapo	Antofagasta
10/01/2012	Antofagasta	Iquique
11/01/2012	Iquique	Arica
12/01/2012	Arica	Arequipa
13/01/2012	Arequipa	Nasca
14/01/2012	Nasca	Pisco
15/01/2012	Pisco	Lima

See the kilometres details (PDF, 2.8 Mo)

ARGENTINA

• Population : 40.6 million inhabitants
• Surface area : 2, 766, 890 sq. km
• Capital : Buenos Aires
• Currency : Argentinean peso
• Motto : In Unity and Freedom
• The leading lights of Argentinean sport : Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi (football), Guillermo Vilas, Gabriela Sabatini, Juan Martin Del Potro (tennis), Manu Ginobili (basketball), Juan Manuel Fangio (motor racing), Angel Cabrera (golf), Carlos Monzon (boxing), Hugo Porta (rugby)

Since 2009, the Dakar has enjoyed a relationship with a public in Argentina which is as enthusiastic as it is knowledgeable and respectful. The many spectators who gather on the edge of the tracks are open-minded enough to encourage drivers from all nationalities, but they become particularly fired up with enthusiasm for their native competitors who regularly distinguish themselves at the highest level. Although Orlando Terranova managed to finish the rally in 9th place in 2010 in the car category, it was the Patronelli family, also from Argentina, who achieved a perfect performance dominating all the other quads of the rally. It was the younger of the two brothers, Marcos, who lead the way by winning in 2010. Alessandro followed his example to the letter and is currently the title holder.

CHILE

• Population : 16.7 million inhabitants
• Surface area : 756, 950 sq. km
• Capital : Santiago de Chile
• Currency : Chilean peso
• Motto : By reason or by force
• The leading lights of Chilean sport : Marcelo Salas, Iván Zamorano (football), Fernando Gonzalez, Nicola Massu, Marcelo Rios (tennis), Carlo De Gavardo (motorcycling)

By crossing the Andes Cordillera for the first time in 2009, the Dakar arrived in Valparaiso for a day which was already historic, as Francesco Lopez, a native of Chile, notched up his first stage win there. Since then, his has won 5 special stages, including 4 victories achieved in his home country. The Atacama Desert, which fascinates all the rally’s competitors, has become the playground of “Chaleco” who achieved his best result in the rally in 2010, finishing 3rd. Carlo De Gavardo, who is older than him and his role model, preceded him on the podium in the motorcycle category in 2001, before switching to cars which have proved to be more difficult.

PERU

• Population : 29.2 million inhabitants
• Surface area : 1, 285, 220 sq.km
• Capital : Lima
• Currency : Nuevo sol
• Motto : Strong and happy by the union

The Dakar has travelled to many destinations and by going to Peru this year it will visit a 27th country. After four stages, Lima will host the first finish of the rally on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, continuing the tour of the seas visited out by the Dakar, which has already been judged on the shorelines of the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. During the 2011 edition, out of the first two Peruvian teams which competed, only the Ferrand family, the father and the sun, finished the race, in 38th position. With 12 vehicles at the start this year, Peru may also be a country which is important in the final rankings.

Mar del Plata

With more than 600,000 inhabitants, Mar del Plata is amongst the seven biggest cities in Argentina. At the highpoint of summer, it is first and foremost the touristic heart of the country: its appeal leads to its population doubling or tripling during the school holidays. This seaside resort, located 400 km south of the capital, was for a long time the favoured retreat of Buenos Aires’ richest inhabitants, earning it the nickname of the Argentine Biarritz. The development of the transport network and the increase in accommodation then made it the leading holiday destination for all Argentines, who rush to its beaches and entertain themselves at the Rambla Casino, one of the biggest gaming establishments in the world. At the height of the tourist season, the start of the Dakar 2012 will add to the many events that enliven the city (concerts, football matches, etc.). The starting ceremony that will take place on the majestic Plaza Colon promises a wealth of thrills for the competitors.

Lima

The capital of Peru and its surrounding conurbation are home to a population of 10 million, making it the 5th biggest city in Latin America. Founded in 1535, it stands out due to the excellently conserved nature of its old buildings in the historical heart of the city, which has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1991. The architectural styles that have marked the construction and development of the city range from the colonial baroque cathedral to the Creole characteristics of the Torre-Tagle palace, the current site of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, not forgetting the French-inspired neo-classical nature of the Municipal Theatre or the Saint-Martin square. In the City of Kings, the riders and drivers who manage to complete the Dakar 2012 will be dazzled one last time on arriving at the Plaza de Armas square, were they will be applauded during a grand finishing ceremony.

2012 ROUTE : intentionally varied !

The 2012 Dakar will be tough from start to finish. The route of the race has been created with the aim of spacing out the difficulties allowing frequent surprises to occur and giving a more unpredictable dimension to the concept of endurance. Consequently, the moments of respite will be short-lived and the difficult parts of the route may occur in the most unexpected places. The route, which is balanced but unyielding, is imbued with occasional irregularities which will require the elite drivers as well the amateurs to constantly question everything. A nerve-racking experience !

Sunday 1st January

Stage 1 : Mar del Plata - Santa Rosa de la Pampa

• Liaison sections, 763 km
• Special stage, 57 km

Small dunes but no sunbathing

The seaside resort of Mar del Plata brings to mind lazing around, especially after the competitors have mingled with the crowd during the public presentation ceremony on 31st December. For the short warm-up special stage, they will nevertheless be allowed to pass by the seafront, where the small dunes to be crossed will represent the first hurdle. In this simple exercise, the fastest time will establish a first winner and determine each competitor’s position in the rankings. After this challenge, there will be a long liaison section to be covered to Santa Rosa de la Pampa.

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Monday 2nd January

Stage 2 : Santa Rosa de la Pampa - San Rafael

Motorcycles - Quads - Trucks

• Liaison sections, 487 km
• Special stage, 295 km

Cars

• Liaison sections, 487 km
• Special stage, 290 km

The grey dunes of Nihuil

The competitors will have an early start and a long way to go to join the start of the special stage. But the pace that the drivers will have to keep up on the first very fast part of the route will immediately ensure that they remain extremely focused. After the big, fast bends negotiated on firm ground, the entrance in a backdrop of dunes will significantly slow down their progress. In Nihuil, the grey-coloured sand bears witness to the intense volcanic activity which occurred in the region several thousand years ago.

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Tuesday 3rd January

Stage 3 : San Rafael - San Juan

Motorcycles - Quads

• Liaison sections, 291 km
• Special stage, 270 km

Cars - Trucks

• Liaison sections, 291 km
• Special stage, 208 km

The Andes, reminiscent of the Atlas Mountains

The Andes Cordillera, ever-present throughout the 2012 Dakar, is very demanding for the drivers. The crossing of rivers and the many holes and stones that the drivers will have to avoid during the day’s special stage, will make the terrain particularly gruelling. The sturdiness of the engines will be put to the test if the drivers do not remain attentive. But the altitude and the reliefs provide both magnificent landscapes, with every shade of red possible, and small acrobatic challenges, such as a steep climb that the motorcyclists will definitely have to finish in first gear.

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Wednesday 4th January

Stage 4 : San Juan - Chilecito

• Liaison sections, 424 km
• Special stage, 326 km

Beware of being over confident

The most experienced drivers will be able to enjoy counting the dried-up rivers that they will cross during the day. They will also have time to admire the spectacular canyons of the Province of Rioja, but it is in their best interest to remain extremely vigilant. Nobody will be able to keep up a steady pace during the special stage. Whether it be the navigational subtleties at the end of the route or the small hurdles to overcome, there will be many occasions to lose time here. It is likely that once the rally has reached Chilecito, one or two of the competitors will have already been eliminated from the battle for the title !

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Thursday 5th January

Stage 5 : Chilecito - Fiambalá

Motorcycles - Quads

• Liaison sections, 151 km
• Special stage, 265 km

Cars - Trucks

• Liaison sections, 246 km
• Special stage, 177 km

Each category has its own Fiambalá

Up until now, no-one has remained impervious to the white dunes of Fiambalá, where dozens of motorcyclists were bogged down in the sand during their first visit there and which also dashed the hopes of Carlos Sainz twice, in 2009 and in 2011. This year, the course has been split in two to offer optimal driving comfort for all the vehicles. For the motorcyclists, the setbacks will be more likely to result from navigational mistakes rather than from overcoming difficulties on the terrain. They should also experience some thrills when they drive along a narrow track on the mountain side, before they tackle the areas of dunes. The course reserved for cars and trucks is completely different and will take the drivers further in the sand dunes.

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Friday 6th January

Stage 6 : Fiambalá - Copiapó

• Liaison sections, 394 km
• Special stage, 247 km

Your papers, please

The southern summer has several surprises in store, including negative temperatures which may have to be endured by the motorcyclists who will tackle the long climb to Paso San Francisco in the middle of the night, where they will cross the border at an altitude of more than 4,700 metres. Once the race has arrived in Chile, the special stage will initially be decided on a hard terrain, in the harsh aridity of the Atacama Desert. The drivers will no longer be concerned about controlling their maximum speed when they confront the dunes of Copiapó, which will be featured four times on the route. Skilful driving will be the only solution here to avoid competitors from being bogged down at the bottom of a giant sand basin for a long time. Some of them will not be able to avoid this.

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Saturday 7th January

Stage 7 : Copiapó - Copiapó

• Liaisons, 154 km
• Special stage, 419 km

An abundance of dunes

The loop will be the biggest challenge of the week, although the beginning of the special stage, which will travel along tracks in the middle of the hills and cacti, might appear easy. But afterwards, the strain of the kilometres covered since Mar del Plata will begin to take their toll, exactly at the time when a great number of dunes will follow one after another. The last string of dunes to be crossed, so near and yet so far from the finish, may well resemble a bivouac which has been transported to the middle of the desert. Thankfully for the latecomers who pitch their tents, the regulations allow vehicles to be presented until 6 pm on the rest day.

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Monday 9th January

Stage 8 : Copiapó - Antofagasta

• Liaison sections, 245 km
• Special stage, 477 km

The race sets off again

At this stage of the competition, the number of contenders for the title will be reduced to a small handful in each category. But despite the significant number of kilometres to be covered, this first stage after the rest day should not be relied on to create decisive gaps. The rally’s longest special stage will be used to allow the competitors to get back into the pace of the competition. On the stone-covered tracks which will lead to Antofagasta, the pace will be rather intense, but this will not prevent the drivers from catching sight of some magnificent views.

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Tuesday 10th January

Stage 9 : Antofagasta - Iquique

• Liaison sections, 9 km
• Special stage, 556 km

Watch out, thrills guaranteed !

A two-part stage will keep the competitors busy who continue the climb to the north of the continent, between oceans and mountains. Two sections separated by a neutralization are on the agenda with varied features and landscapes. At the beginning of the day, the competitors will pass through canyons, drive on clean tracks and sink in the fesh fesh ! The second special stage will call upon the drivers’ and co-drivers’ navigational talents, who will have to make a decision based on the very limited landmarks, while remaining focused on the WPM. To reward them for this intensive endeavour, they will drive down the steep descent to Iquique, already featured on the 2010 Dakar route, to the shores of the Pacific Ocean.

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Wednesday 11th January

Stage 10 : Iquique - Arica

• Liaison sections, 317 km
• Special stage, 377 km

Surfing sessions

The drivers will be overcome with even more intense sensations early in the morning. It is precisely at the beginning of the special stage that they will be deeply moved by a spectacular view, combining sand and waves, which continues for several kilometres. The theme will remain constant, since the most experienced experts will be able to surf on the dunes which stretch out for around a hundred kilometres. On the other hand, the difficult fesh-fesh area that will have to be tackled at the end of the special stage will bring everyone back to the tough reality of the long-distance rally.

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Thursday 12th January

Stage 11 : Arica - Arequipa

Motorcycles - Quads

• Liaison sections, 171 km
• Special stage, 534 km

Cars

• Liaison sections, 120 km
• Special stage, 478 km

Trucks

• Liaison sections, 120 km
• Special stage, 432 km

The motorcyclists “club” approach

For the Dakar’s first day in their country, the Peruvians will be entitled to two special stages and additional kilometres for the motorcyclists. After a day spent switching between off-piste sections and areas interspersed with rivers, they will benefit from a moment of camaraderie : a specific bivouac will be set up for them before they continue exploring Peru. The concept, which had not been tried out again since the camp of Foum Zguid in Morocco during the 2007 Dakar, will also create a major obstacle which will affect the management of the race. The assistance vehicles will not be authorized in the maintenance area, where only the motorcyclists and quad riders will be able to help each other.

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Friday 13th January

Stage 12 : Arequipa - Nasca

Motorcycles - Quads

• Liaison sections, 259 km
• Special stage, 245 km

Cars - Trucks

• Liaison sections, 412 km
• Special stage, 245 km

The Dragon of Nazca

Only a flight over the region can allow the Nazca Lines, mysterious motifs created in the ground more than 2,000 years ago, to be admired ! The route of the special stage creates another line on the map of Peru which looks like a sand dragon. Although the areas of dunes are evenly spread out, the competitors will definitely remember one of them, which made a deep impression on the reconnaissance team. The dunes follow one after another continuously for almost twenty kilometres, transporting the drivers to a new dimension. As the sand will remain firm in this string of dunes, it will help the drivers to cross them without too much difficulty. But the most skilled dune-crossers will nevertheless be able to create a surprise, in particular three days before the final finish. Those who remember how to perform the “Mauritanian swerve” can save some precious minutes.

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Saturday 14th January

Stage 13 : Nasca - Pisco

• Liaison sections, 100 km
• Special stage, 275 km

Pacific atmosphere

The dunes are majestic in this part of the country. They will ensure suspense to the very end about who will be the winners and how they will be placed on podium. At the same time, the drivers who are less in a hurry must take nothing for granted even if they are beginning to think about the relief of reaching the finish. They will also have to negotiate a significant number of strings of dunes, avoid confusing valleys which appear to be similar but are in fact different, and fight off the inevitable fatigue after the thousands of kilometres covered. Here every one of the competitors will remember what extreme endurance means here.

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Sunday 15th January

Stage 14 : Pisco - Lima

• Liaison sections, 254km
• Special stage, 29 km

Time to celebrate

During the short special stage which will establish definitively the competitors’ final rankings, the tracks and the small dunes should be enjoyed but not overlooked. The time issues are now insignificant and the pleasure of finishing the race will gain the upper hand. The heroes of the 2012 edition will be able to count on a celebration in the heart of the capital that is on a par with their emotions. Those who have successfully survived the adventure will realize all of the difficult moments that they have endured along the way. The challenge has come to end, but the sights, sensations and the souvenir of an exceptional life experience will remain.