Rally is 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 route "Paris-Dakar" is special. This race stands out from the rest. Why does it attract fans and participants so much? 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 got lost in the Libyan desert 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 misfortunes, 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 the route of the most popular rally to date. Dakar, according to the plan of Thierry Sabine, was supposed to be the end point of the race, and Paris was the starting point.
The original route of the rally passed through the north of Africa, Algeria, but, due to the difficult political situation and increased unrest in this state, another country, Morocco, was approved for the race. Sometimes part of the way participants overcome through Libya.
At first, the race was one of the stages of the World Cup. However, the competition regulations 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 racing drivers, but also many rock stars, famous athletes from other disciplines (alpine skiers, climbers, yachtsmen and others) took part in the competition throughout its history.
Rally Rules
To take part in this competition, you need to 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 approximately 10,000 km. Racers are allowed to participate not only in special rally cars, but also in cars, as well as trucks and motorcycles. There is a separate account for each mode of transport. The number of 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 standings do not include this rally. Dakar is the final city on the way of the riders, where the winners are determined. Forto become the champion of the competition, you just need to overtake your rivals in 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
Up to the beginning of the 21st century, Stéphane Petransel was the main record holder for the number of victories in the Paris-Dakar rally, who won this automobile marathon six times in ten years of participation in it.
2001 was a watershed year both in terms of race rules and winners. In accordance with the changes made to the rules of the competition, the team could not bring equipment with them, which, in the event of a breakdown, would be able to fix the problem. 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, has won the marathon many times. In recent years, she continues to hold the lead and regularly wins major international competitions.
Team "KAMAZ-master"
In the history of the Dakar Rally, the Russian team has won this prestigious marathon 13 times. In 2015, the rally, which took place on the territory of Bolivia, Argentina and Chile, was won for the first time by pilot Airat Mardeev in the truck category. At the final stage of the race, he managed to break away from his pursuers and eventually surpassed his closest competitors,among other things, teammates, at 14 and 51 minutes respectively (2nd place - Nikolaev, 3rd place - Karginov).
Thus, the Russian pilots again showed what the KamAZ car is worth. Rally "Dakar" from year to year in the standings of trucks submits to him.
