ARGENTINA/CHILE 1 - 17 Jan 2010 32nd Dakar Rally starts in Buenos Aires. Starts bicentennial

Argentina and Chile see the start of the 32nd Dakar Rally as the formal start to their bicentennial year. Both countries launched revolutions in 2010 that led to independence. The 5,951-mile route for the 14-stage rally-type off-road auto race starts in Buenos Aires on Jan 1, traverses the Andes to northern Chile, heads south to crosses the Andes, then returns to Buenos Aires on Jan 17. Sand dunes are among the challenges for the 500-plus amateur and professional drivers.

The Dakar Rally was traditionally an off-road multi-stage race from Paris to Dakar, Senegal. Due to fears of terrorist attacks, the Rally was cancelled in 2008 and moved to South America. The continent also hosted the 2009 Dakar Rally, so the drivers will have some experience with the terrain.

Initially, the race was run from Paris to Dakar in Senegal, but political instability in Africa led the organizers to move the rally to South America in 2009. It was the first time the race did not start in Europe. Amateurs typically make up about eighty percent of the participants.

Many vehicle manufacturers use the Rally as a testing ground for the durability of new models. May/2009

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Dakar Rally 2010 web
http://www.dakar.com/index_DAKus.html