The 2011 Dakar towards northern Chile

The organizers of the Dakar presented this Thursday the route of the 33rd edition of the legendary rally-raid. This third South American Dakar will find some passages already taken so far, such as the white dunes of Fiambala, the Atacama desert and the descent of Iquique linking the Andes to the Pacific Ocean. Since the 2010 edition, however, the route has evolved since drivers and crews will be able to approach the borders of Bolivia and venture to the extreme north of Chile, near the Peruvian border.

« It’s a very beautiful route which we are very happy with., welcomes Etienne Lavigne, organizer of the race, on France2.fr. A far northern route throughout northern Chile and northwest Argentina. We find this great Atacama desert which will welcome us for the 3rd time. And then a truly new route with new special stages. It's the southern summer, it's going to be very hot. We will follow this Andes Cordillera throughout the Argentinian part. The settings are sublime, a mix of Colorado and slightly greener landscapes. These are exceptional racing conditions in terms of landscapes and difficulties. »

The continuation of the race in South America had been a given for a few weeks before the route was revealed this Thursday. Etienne Lavigne confides that the love of South Americans for motorsport counted, based on the attendance of the 2010 edition. It was exceptionalhe says. I don't know of any equivalent in sporting events. 1,5 million people came to watch the departure in Buenos Aires. These are record numbers. A very popular, very nice enthusiasm. It's summer there. And we had up to four million people who came to watch the competitors pass through often desert areas, in very inhospitable environments. At the start of the stages and in the evening at the camp, there were a lot of people watching us. »

The Dakar will therefore not return to its original land, Africa, although a proposed route to the north of the continent had been studied. “ It's true that we had a route plan for Tunisia, Libya, Egypt but it was a little complicated in recent weeks in Libya., continues Lavigne. I think we still have to wait a little longer before seeing this continent again. For the moment, we have very good organizational conditions in South America. What I would like is to imagine routes alternating between South America and Africa. Today, it's not possible, I hope to get there one day. If tomorrow I could map out the Dakar of my dreams, it would undoubtedly start from Paris, pass through Algeria, Mali, Niger before arriving in Senegal. Find all these territories that we have explored for years. »