In the automotive world, Saudi Arabia has once again become the center of attention, having been chosen to host the start of the Dakar Rally again. This year will mark the 48th edition of the event, which already has a long and consolidated relationship with the region. Beyond being an extreme race, the Dakar has become a tourist attraction for the country, part of its strategy to attract visitors. Competitors, teams, and fans from all over gather at this event. The competition begins in the city of Yanbu, an intense part of the race, featuring diverse landscapes such as deserts, mountains, and trails. Read more information below about this extreme sporting event.
What is Saudi Arabia’s connection to the Dakar Rally?
This is not the first time Saudi Arabia has been chosen to host the start of the Dakar Rally, and this choice is not made by chance. This is the seventh consecutive edition in which Saudi Arabia has been chosen to host the start of the competition. This is largely due to its logistical and infrastructural capacity. Several Saudi Arabian cities, in addition to Yanbu, are also part of the event’s route, and fans appreciate its diverse landscapes.
This choice is not made solely for sporting reasons. The idea of the event is to connect with a greater purpose, a project to transform the country. For the Saudi government, the Dakar serves as an international showcase for promoting tourism, culture, and local investment. The country becomes a gateway to major global events by hosting one of the world’s toughest sporting events.
For rally fans, the partnership between the event and Saudi Arabia has brought a new identity. This is because images of the Saudi desert have become highly emblematic in the competition’s imagery, with vast dunes and rock formations unlike any other landscape in the world. These scenarios have come to define the aesthetics and visual identity of the Dakar Rally, helping to keep the event relevant to new generations of fans today, with its striking visuals.
How does the Dakar Rally course work?
This year’s event was designed to challenge even the most experienced competitors in Dakar history. Vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, and trucks will face different routes, all equally demanding.
The city of Yanbu is the first part of the competition, where the starting order is determined. After that, participants go to diverse locations, such as trails, sandy areas, and large dunes. This stage of the competition requires physical endurance, mental preparation, and the ability to make quick decisions.
The marathon stage
In the Dakar Rally, one of the most important and anticipated moments for the public is the marathon stages. In this phase of the competition, competitors do not have complete mechanical support, so they need to take care of their own vehicles and sleep in the middle of the desert, which can be difficult for a competitor.
An event that has global attention
This year’s event is expected to attract competitors from various locations. These participants include former competitors and newcomers seeking recognition through victory. The presence of local drivers is also anticipated, further strengthening the connection between the event and Saudi Arabia, the host country for the first stage.
The Dakar Rally, an event that combines sport and tourism, brings international visibility and a unique experience for sports fans or people who wish to get to know Saudi Arabia, the host country for the start of the competition. For those competing, the event will be an extreme challenge of physical and emotional limits. For the country, it will be another opportunity to reach a global audience.
