Dakar Rally 2027: A Shift Back to Morocco
The highly anticipated Dakar Rally 2027 will not take place in Saudi Arabia, as confirmed by teams and drivers. Caught in the turmoil of the Middle Eastern conflict, the organizers, ASO, have activated their contingency plan, bringing the iconic rally back to Africa, specifically to Morocco, for the first time in twenty years. The rally is set to commence from Europe on January 9th, featuring 12 stages and culminating on January 22nd. This article delves into the reasons behind this significant change and what participants can expect from the upcoming Dakar event.
Challenges in Saudi Arabia Prompt Change
The world of motorsport has already felt the repercussions of the ongoing situation in Saudi Arabia, which has hosted the Dakar since 2020. A series of unprecedented attacks in the region has led to major shifts; for instance, Formula 1 replaced Bahrain with Sepang, and MotoGP postponed the Qatar Grand Prix to November. The recent cancellation of the Saudi Rally in the WRC acted as a wake-up call for ASO regarding the Dakar. Concerns among teams intensified, particularly from major players like Toyota and KTM, who expressed reservations about participating in a conflict zone. The principal obstacle stemmed from insurance issues; once official travel warnings are issued, insurers typically withdraw their coverage, placing the entire rally convoy—including TV crews and technicians—in a precarious situation.
In response to these challenges, ASO considered multiple scenarios before opting for Morocco. Initially, there were plans for a route in northern Saudi Arabia or a reduced eight-stage rally in Morocco, tentatively titled "Rally Merzouga by Dakar." Ultimately, a full Dakar rally is on the horizon, as confirmed to drivers and teams on October 19th. The event will consist of 12 stages, including a marathon stage, a prologue, and a rest day, with the race now scheduled from January 9th to 22nd. Vehicle inspections are planned in Europe from January 6th to 8th, leading up to the prologue on January 9th, with a total distance of approximately 4,900 kilometers. Spain and Portugal are being considered for the prologue, while the Moroccan route is already finalized, featuring a ferry crossing of the Mediterranean, with Merzouga serving as the sporting epicenter.
Preparations for the Moroccan leg of the rally have been underway behind the scenes. Pep Vila, a partner at ProDunes, the company organizing the Rally of Morocco, hinted at this possibility during the last edition, and David Castera had visited to discuss potential solutions. However, challenges remain regarding the terrain; Marc Coma, the director of the Rally of Morocco, pointed out that the southern regions of the country can become exhausted quickly, necessitating a descent into the Sahara to accommodate the required number of stages. For comparison, the Saudi course presented in spring featured 5,320 kilometers of timed specials.
The new course is expected to be unveiled on October 26th or 27th, with registration closing on November 16th. The event will retain its name, "Dakar," despite previous commercial commitments with Saudi Arabia. ASO continues to maintain a contractual relationship with the kingdom until 2029. It has been since 2007 that the Dakar has been held in Africa, with the last rally departing from Lisbon on January 6th and reaching Dakar on January 21st. The 2008 edition was ultimately canceled due to terrorist threats, leading to the rally's relocation to South America in 2009, before settling in Saudi Arabia in 2020.
As reported by motoverte.com.
