For the very first time in the history of the Dakar Rally, the most demanding off-road competitive event in the world will only run in one country, Peru. The 41st edition of the Dakar was presented by Etienne Lavigne, rally director, with promises that this won’t be just a simple tour around Peru.
ASO, the rally organizers, have been hard at work to create a great 2019 edition of the Dakar Rally in South America, but negotiations with countries to host the event were not easy at all.
The initial plan from ASO was to have the Dakar to start in Chile and end up in Ecuador, joining Peru. But both countries refused to participate in the next rally. Bolivia was also another country that ASO hoped to get an agreement, but they too decided not to enter the event.
As for the 2019 Dakar Rally, we will have an event with 10 stages and one day of rest from January 6 to January 17. The Dakar will have its start and finish in Peru’s capital city of Lima.
Etienne Lavigne also confirmed that because of the race being held only in Peru, the organizers won’t be able to put together stages with 400 kms. Each stage will be considerably smaller in distance, but on the other hand, the Dakar will have 70% of its route in sand and dunes.