Rally - one of the most popular types of modern racing. It is very spectacular, and therefore interesting to millions of viewers around the world. Among all kinds of championships, the “Paris – Dakar” route is special. This race stands out among others. Why is it so attracting fans and participants? This will be discussed in this article.
The history of the famous car marathon
The Paris-Dakar rally has been held since the end of 1978. The author of the idea of such a route was a motorcycle racer from France T. Sabin. In 1977, he lost his way in the desert in Libya during the Abidjan – Nice race. After several days of wandering without food and water, the motorcyclist was found by nomads who saved him. Despite all the misadventures, the desert made an indelible impression on Sabin, which he wanted to share with the whole world. It was this idea that inspired the rider to create a route for the most popular rally to date. Dakar, according to Thierry Sabin, was to become the end point of the race, and the starting point - Paris.
The initial route of the rally passed through northern Africa, Algeria, but, due to the difficult political situation and the increasing unrest in this state, another country was approved for the race - Morocco. Sometimes participants overcome part of the way through Libya.
At first, the race was one of the stages of the World Cup. However, the rules of the competition caused a lot of controversy, as a result of which it was decided to exclude the rally from the overall standings of the world championship and make it autonomous.
It is interesting that not only professional race car drivers, but also many rock stars, famous athletes from other disciplines (skiers, climbers, yachtsmen and others) took part in the competition throughout the history of its existence.
Rally Rules
To take part in this competition, you must know the rules of the rally. Dakar is the final destination of the route. The race starts in Paris. The competition lasts for three weeks and covers a distance of about 10 thousand km. Racers are allowed to participate not only in special cars for the rally, but also in cars, as well as on trucks and motorcycles. There is a separate classification for each type of transport. Among the participants can be not only professional racers, but also amateurs, who usually make up about 80% of the total number of applicants.
As mentioned above, the World Cup classification does not include this rally. Dakar is the final city on the way of the riders, where the winners are determined. In order to become a champion of a competition, you just need to overtake your rivals by the results of this car marathon, unlike the World Cup, where participants receive points for each race, which are summed up at the end of the season.
Rally winners
Until the beginning of the XXI century, the main record holder for the number of victories in the Paris-Dakar rally was Stefan Petransel, who won this car marathon six times in ten years of participation in it.
2001 was a turning point both in the rules of the race, and in relation to the winners. In accordance with the changes made to the rules of the competition, the team could not bring along equipment that, in the event of a breakdown, would be able to eliminate the problems. Any repairs had to be carried out by the driver and navigator. In the same year, a woman Jutta Kleinschmidt won the rally for the first time.
Russian trucks have become real triumphs of the Paris-Dakar rally. KamAZ-master, an excellent Russian team, won the marathon many times. In recent years, she continues to maintain leadership and regularly wins major international competitions.
