The Argentinean Dakar experience

With about 3500 km. between the Bolivian border and the farthest point in Ushuaia (or the Land of Fire), Argentina has the size of a continent. This vast area, both from west to east and south to north, gives to the country many different facets. When it comes to climate, relief or lifestyle, the main word that characterizes the regions of Argentina is ‘diversity’. Whereas there are many different types of landscapes, love of speed sports has consistently reached the whole country. From the city of Buenos Aires, where competitors just got a first taste of their passion, to Córdoba, where the amateurs of the conventional round of the WRC turned out in force, the rally's reputation remains constant.

Argentina has two consecutive years of ‘Dakar Experience’. In 2009, a new category was added to the traditional rally: the all-terrain class. The race began in downtown Buenos Aires and went down to the Patagonia. Despite several accidents and even a death, the 2009 edition was considered as a successful event and Argentina stayed in the race for the 2010 edition. The three stages designed for the 2010 Dakar on the lands of Chile and Argentina promised to each sort of driver a cycle adapted to it skills.

A flat entry minimized the initial of the three stages of the 2010 Dakar. The days were long and not merely in the road sector. The most talented competitors found a chance to build on a situation from which they were completely able to capitalize. The hard dust was positive for technical use according to these authorities in trajectories. However, they quickly had to switch abilities to take on the first little bank of pallid sand they met near to Fiambala.

The road to Paso - San Francisco, known as one of the most stunning in the whole world, gave a little break to the drivers before taking on a meticulous journeying of the Atacama Desert. The driest zone of the world that Dakar participants discovered this time, all the way to Iquique, was the realm of dune crossings.

During five phases, the riders and their crews headed to the north of Chile. It was undoubtedly the hardest part of the rally, with drastically reduced road segments..

But a transformation of scenery occurred in this Dakar edition every day from then on. While there was just one expression to talk about sand, all kinds of soil, in contrast, were experienced on the come back journey to Buenos Aires, from dunes to flat sections as well as sandy corridors that go up the mountains in Province of Mendoza.

The contrasts were also visually spectacular for the challengers as they left behind the curves of Los Andes. On the final segment, two phases were long and difficult enough to cause major gaps. But this incredible outdoor adventure definitely worths.

From January 1st to 16th, 2011, Argentina will be again the center of a new Dakar edition. This time, drivers will travel across five new Argentinean provinces. During the first three days, the Dakar route will take the competitors to the spectacular landscapes of Jujuy and Salta, close to Bolivia, to enter the Chilean section of the Dakar. Previous experiences suggest that the South American Dakar will have the Argentinean varied landscapes along its route for many more Dakar editions.