VW Race Touareg 2

Dakar Rally 2009 - Prior to the start

The South American debut edition of the legendary Dakar Rally is ready to be started.

Despite the event having been moved to South America, the interest in the Dakar Rally is as big as ever. 530 teams from 49 nations have sent in their entries for the 30th edition of the rally. 230 motorbike drivers, 30 quads, 188 cars and 82 trucks are going to contest the longest and most difficult rally on our planet.

All the teams are well prepared for the gruelling 9,500-kilometre trip taking them across the Pampas, the Andes, Chile and the hot Atacama Desert located at the Pacific.

At the same time, the passion of the crowds also will be stunning: even in the run-up to the event, the Dakar enthusiasm in Argentina proves to be incredible.

“The tension prior to the start of the rally increases minute by minute,” says Spanish Volkswagen ace Carlos Sainz. “The atmosphere in Argentina and Chile is just fantastic. During autographing sessions, for instance, we again and again were amazed by the fans’ passionate enthusiasm for rallying. That’s good for us drivers – and good for our sport. Another reason why I’m really looking forward to rolling off the starting ramp.”

Leg 1 »