The third Dakar, which will be held entirely in Saudi Arabia, will begin on January 1st in Jeddah. The 1065 members will present themselves there, an increase in participation compared to last year. In total there will be 578 vehicles in the race, a number that was partly favored by the increase in the classic category, which will count 146. Between the race and assistance 63 different nationalities are represented, with France (196), Spain (81) and Netherlands (67) as the most numerous countries. However, all of these figures could be even higher.
The organizers of the Dakar, ASO, had to refuse some requests after verifying that they did not yet have the necessary level to compete in the test, inviting them to prepare adequately for future editions. This has generated some discontent among some pilots.
“The top of the nationalities is the same as always: France, Spain and Holland”, explained Castera in an interview with a small number of media, including Motorsport.com. “ASO always offers a high level, people know what they will find. After a year and a half at home because of Covid, people often forget everything and go to their sport, they want to do the Dakar. There has been a Covid effect “.
“I thought of a negative effect. We made a tough selection, and on the bikes it was even more so. The Italians are not happy because they are the largest number of those left out. I am happy with what we have done, everyone wants to do the biggest feat, like climbing Everest. They get up one morning and want to do the Dakar, but you have to go step by step and do it well. In Morocco and Andalusia we saw that some did not have the required level. It means they’re not up to par yet, but they have a year to prepare. I have the responsibility in all this, we will continue like this ”, he assured.
A hot topic of the last edition was the roadbook. The introduction of the electronic map in tablet format for elite drivers in 2021 and its delivery shortly before the start of each stage has attracted criticism from riders such as Carlos Sainz. In this sense, the organization has not taken any particular measures.
“Sainz went crazy, not because the roadbook was fake, but because there was too much navigation. I am preparing a Dakar with three ingredients: rider speed, endurance and navigation. The latter is an important part and will continue to be there this year. The fact is that in the Rally Raid it is difficult to say that the navigation will be at a certain level of difficulty, it is impossible because I do it in May or September and they pass in January. The tracks change, they will be more or less visible ”, commented the former French driver.
“In the roadbook we did a huge job with the colors, with the team that has changed. The roadbook is the same for everyone. Sainz was asking me for more points to help them when things are more difficult. We may have done it a bit, but I want navigation and I will defend it because it is a part of the spirit of the Dakar, we will protect it ”.
With the introduction of the Dakar into the FIA and FIM Rally Raid World Championships, the Rally enters a new phase in its almost half-century of life. According to the director of the test they are in a good moment: “In the Dakar there are drivers who have been racing for some time. I don’t know if it’s the best moment, there have always been strong moments, there has been a key moment. We are happy with the level we are at. We gathered the whole family a little. We have created a strong group with the FIM, the FIA. We are in a good moment, but the complicated thing is to continue like this “.
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