The Dakar Marathon Race of 2014 is in its 35th year running, and the 6th year in a row the race is being run in South America. This years race will start in Rosario Argentina on January 5th and complete on January 18th in Valparaiso Chile. During those days the race will be completed through thirteen different stages that equal approximately 8,500 kilometers.
The Dakar 2014 Marathon Race will continue to explore the regions of the Andes with a trip through Bolivia. Drivers and teams will need to be on top of their games during this extremely challenging stage of the race. The drivers will most definitely be tested on their off road capabilities through this very difficult region of the country. This year is over 450 vehicles will be competing in the Dakar 2014 Marathon Race, it is always anyone’s guess how many will actually finish the race.
Dakar 2014 Marathon Race route will travel through the canyons of North West Argentina as well as the dunes in the Atacama Desert. Drivers will have to be on their game to be able to navigate those difficult road conditions. This is especially true with the extension of many of the stages in the race. Endurance will definitely be on of the qualities the winning team will need to possess in order to win the Dakar 2014 Marathon Race.
One of the unique aspects of this years event is that Bolivia will have a marathon stage where riders will be on their motorcycles across the world’s largest salt flats of Salar de Uyuni. These motorcycles riders will no doubt be put to the test in this stage of the race.
The director of the Dakar 2014 Marathon Race, Etienne Lavigne, points out that the motorcycle riders will be tested on the flats because of its beauty versus its toughness. These riders will be left to get assistance only from other riders in the race as they complete the stage, which adds excitement these portions of the race.
These stages will put teams and their drivers through a difficult set of stages especially this year. The addition of the salt flats has increased the attraction of many new spectators to the event, and will surely be the highlight for many drivers as well. No other time in the races history have riders been asked to compete on such a difficult terrain in the heart of the rally.
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