The 2018 Dakar Rally ended with a positive result for Peru, a country that returned after five years of absence. The desert returned the charm of the competition that is now starting to prepare for its next edition. Organizers and drivers want to continue racing in our country.
The Peruvian dunes made people remember the African geography, the natural habitat of the Dakar. Members of the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) designed a route that gave excitement and competitiveness to a race that had six stages on national territory. Before entering Bolivia, the competition had already registered a 25% dropout rate of participants.
RPP Noticias was able to follow the entire route of the Dakar Rally and collected positive comments from members of the organization, such as Ettiene Lavigne and Marc Coma. Even many drivers expressed their admiration for the national geography. "I really liked it, it was a very beautiful part of the Dakar. When I went in 2012 and 2013 I really liked it and I hope we continue to see Peru in the Dakar," said Spanish rider Laia Sanz.
There were more than 500 participants, about 330 vehicles, 14 stages of competition, and almost 9000 kilometers of route. All living together in huge camps set up in the middle of the desert, military barracks, or convention centers. An impressive logistics that demanded a strong financial investment, which will ultimately determine whether the Dakar continues to pass through Peru.
A matter of numbers
The government of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski invested about 6 million dollars to organize the 2018 Dakar Rally. All in exchange for advertising return of the Peruvian territory through the event's broadcast in 190 countries. In a few months, negotiations between ASO and Peru will begin for the 2019 edition to pass through our country again.
The intention of the organization is clear. They want to continue passing through Peru, as their desire is to have a Dakar that goes along the Pacific. It is very likely that Chile will return as a host and it would only be necessary to negotiate with Ecuador and Colombia. Bolivia and Argentina are in doubt. The former could be discarded due to the harsh conditions of its geography, while the latter may not continue due to economic issues.
