bullshit we have signs, locked gates, locked up national parks, heaps of nimbys (not in my back yard) as the rest of thee world cheers
Not sure if this is rumor or fact, a Lima TV station reported tonight that Peru could be excluded from the 2014 Dakar. Also a report here, http://peru21.pe/deportes/peru-podria-quedar-fuera-dakar-2014-2120703 Says that the 2014 Dakar may start in Argentina, pass through Chile and then end in Bolivia.
Last week Argentine press was reporting that Chile was being left out. I suspect that the rally will begin in Rosario, Argentina into Bolivia, then Chile before ending in Lima. We'll know on March 21.
Dont think it will move back to Africa, not enough supporters there, not enough money, and the countries there dont pay 1 million dollar per stage. Dont think it will be ozzie, too many fence lines, only one country and its full of environmental nuts. Dont think it will be Asia, at least for now. Dont think it will be in the USA, its not a free country anymore. (sorry guys) South America is is and thats where it will stay I reckon for at least another 3-5 years. I have a strong feeling it will start in Ecuador, cross into Peru (there is 1400km of desert north of Lima still to be explored), Bolivia (the high altitude test stage was a great success in Argentina, opening the way for a bolivan Stags, plus Bolivian press are stating it will be there next year), Argentina, ending in BA.
A finish or start in southern Argentina....wrc stages.....kinda lame...last years Peru sand fest was a cool start Can't wait to see where the route goes in Bolivia
Just to affirm the possibility of the race being in Ecuador - I saw 2 "official" Dakar vehicles scouting out Ecuador in January of this year...it may be in the works...which would be very cool...adding a better variety of terrain and climatic change to the race.
Has anyone confirmed that Kawasaki is indeed jumping in with a full factory backed effort in 2014? Are the reports of Cyrill being given a "big-league offer" from team green really true?
Ugh...jungle. That would be a unpleasant slog and the helicopters would have a hard time getting those great aerial shots with all the excess foliage. I've often wondered why Namibia/Botswana/South Africa haven't been considered. All three countries have amazing terrain of the un-soggy kind and reasonably stable political situations. I think the S. American venues are great too, but would want to stay away from the jungly bits - I've seen some of those Amazonian roads in the wet (and SE Asia as well) and it would be just wrong for this race IMHO. Its the desert open landscapes that rivet my attention as much as the teams.
Ha! This is very useful info! It will be awesome haveing the the Start at Cuenca or some place like that, with a jungle stage to start things out (the jungle roads arent too thick towards Peru on the western cordillera) and then just inside Peru it turns to Desert very quick. There are some HUGE dunes to the north of Lima, which would be great to have on the menu, including "el Tubo" the Tube:
Machu Pichu special stage? <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JWxDbjj7dFo?list=PLDE5BB214CB30490C" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
That's pretty cool. Had no idea the Camel Trophy also did bikes. I used to follow the Land Rover series way back when every chance I got in magazines.
Thanks for posting this . I grew up in Zaire (among other places) and this is where i got my first bike in the early 70s' . Darn i am getting old!
Dakar challenge is back and includes a combined event in the baja 500 and reno race. Australsian Safari competitors also get another go at it.
That's the "Camel Marathon" a completely different event to the "Camel Trophy" and never acheived the same level of worldwide publicity as the four wheeled event.
