The 2023 Dakar Rally is a
rally raid
Rally raid, also known as cross-country rallying, is a form of long distance off-road racing that takes place over several days. The length of the event can be as short as 2–3 days for a cross-country baja to as long as 15 days with marathon ra ...
event held in Saudi Arabia and the 45th edition of the
Dakar Rally
The Dakar Rally (or simply "The Dakar"; formerly known as the "Paris–Dakar Rally") is an annual rally raid organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation. Most events since the inception in 1978 were staged from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal ...
organized by
Amaury Sport Organisation
The Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) is part of the French media group Éditions Philippe Amaury. It organises the Tour de France and other cycling races, as well as golf, running, sailing and off-road motorsport events. The president of ASO is Je ...
(ASO). The event takes place between 31 December 2022 and 15 January 2023. This is the fourth time Saudi Arabia has hosted the event. For the second year running, the event is also the first round of the
2023 World Rally-Raid Championship.
The outline of the race route was presented on 5 June 2022. The route was started at a "Sea Camp" near
Yanbu
Yanbu ( ar, ينبع, lit=Spring, translit=Yanbu'), also known simply as Yambu or Yenbo, is a city in the Al Madinah Province of western Saudi Arabia. It is approximately 300 kilometers northwest of Jeddah (at ). The population is 222,360 (2 ...
, on the
Red Sea
The Red Sea ( ar, البحر الأحمر - بحر القلزم, translit=Modern: al-Baḥr al-ʾAḥmar, Medieval: Baḥr al-Qulzum; or ; Coptic: ⲫⲓⲟⲙ ⲛ̀ϩⲁϩ ''Phiom Enhah'' or ⲫⲓⲟⲙ ⲛ̀ϣⲁⲣⲓ ''Phiom ǹšari''; ...
shore, and will finish in
Dammam, at a
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf ( fa, خلیج فارس, translit=xalij-e fârs, lit=Gulf of Fars, ), sometimes called the ( ar, اَلْخَلِيْجُ ٱلْعَرَبِيُّ, Al-Khalīj al-ˁArabī), is a mediterranean sea in Western Asia. The bod ...
shore. The route returns to the
Empty Quarter
The Rub' al KhaliOther standardized transliterations include: / . The ' is the assimilated Arabic definite article, ', which can also be transliterated as '. (; ar, ٱلرُّبْع ٱلْخَالِي (), the "Empty Quarter") is the sand des ...
this year with three stages, including the marathon stage. The route will feature 70% new tracks, less liaison, and 5,000 kilometres of special stages. The route, details of which were revealed in November, has been described as longer, more difficult and with more dunes.
Timeline
* 6 June – 31 October 2022: Registrations
* 28–30 November 2022: Administrative checks at
Circuit Paul Ricard
The Circuit Paul Ricard () is a French motorsport race track built in 1969 at Le Castellet, Var, near Marseille, with finance from pastis magnate Paul Ricard. Ricard wanted to experience the challenge of building a racetrack. The circuit has h ...
* 27–28 December 2022: Arrivals at Saudi Arabia
* 31 December 2022: Starting podium and the Prologue Stage
* 1 January 2023: Race start
* 15 January 2023: Race finish
Changes
Some changes were announced for this year's event:
* Digital roadbooks for all participants, including the bikes
* Time bonuses for bikes opening the stage
* "Mirror routes" - in order to separate the routes some stages will be split into "A and B routes", which feature different waypoints, assigned randomly
* No neutralizations for T1 and T2 categories - the stage will not have breaks in the middle
* Stage start procedure - the first truck to leave will be from 45th place. No reclassification for top 40 drivers
* Dakar Classic will follow dedicated route with 13 stages, including 2 marathon. New average speed group for less powerful vehicles
* Introduction of "synthetic and bio fuels", with expectation that elite drivers will compete in low emission prototypes by 2026
Entry list
On 10 November 2022 ASO announced the list of competitors.
In the truck category, the
Kamaz and
MAZ
Maz or MAZ may refer to:
* IATA code for Eugenio María de Hostos Airport, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
* Minsk Automobile Plant, abbreviated in Belarusian as MAZ
* Myc-associated zinc finger protein, a protein encoded by the ''MAZ'' gene
* Maz, a vill ...
factory teams - two of the most dominant teams in the category - elected not to enter the 2023 Dakar Rally due to complaints that the
FIA
FIA is the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (English: International Automobile Federation), the world's governing body for all forms of motor sport where four or more wheels are used.
Fia or FIA may also refer to: People
* Fia Backs ...
would force them to condemn the
Russian invasion of Ukraine
On 24 February 2022, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. The invasion has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides. It has caused Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. An ...
to enter. The two teams are based in Russia and Belarus, respectively.
Number of entries
Vehicles and Categories
Competitor list
– The "Dakar Legends" - competitors that participated in 10 or more Dakar events.
– The first time starters - "rookies".
– Competitors that were not able to start the race.
– Competitors participating in "Original by Motul" — limited assistance marathon class.
Withdrawals before the start:
* 23 Konrad Dąbrowski - Appendicitis
* 78 Ali Oukerbouch
* 92 Ignacio Sanchis - Crashed in Shakedown, broke his clavicula
– The "Dakar Legends" - competitors that participated in 10 or more Dakar events.
– The first time starters - "rookies".
– Competitors that were not able to start the race.
– Competitors participating in "Original by Motul" — limited assistance marathon class.
Withdrawals before the start:
* 168 Julio Estanguet
– The "Dakar Legends" - competitors that participated in 10 or more Dakar events.
– The first time starters - "rookies".
– Competitors that were not able to start the race.
Withdrawals before the start:
* 226
Antanas Juknevičius / Didzis Zariņš
* 249 Mohamad Altwijri / Yasser Alhajjaj
* 257
Koen Wauters
Koen Maria Gaston Wauters (born 17 September 1967) is a Flemish singer, active with the band Clouseau, television presenter, and occasionally actor and race car driver.
Biography
Koen Wauters was born in Halle in 1967. Together with his three br ...
/ Pascal Feryn - issue at scrutiny
*260 Abdulaziz Alyaeesh
* 268 Tom De Leeuw / Cedric Feryn - issue at scrutiny
* 271 Gurbanberdi Danatarow / Didar Orazmedow
* 272 Hydyrberdi Abduhrahmanov / Muhammetmyrat Gurbanov
– The "Dakar Legends" - competitors that participated in 10 or more Dakar events.
– The first time starters - "rookies".
– Competitors that were not able to start the race.
– The "Dakar Legends" - competitors that participated in 10 or more Dakar events.
– The first time starters - "rookies".
– Late entries.
– Competitors that were not able to start the race.
Withdrawals before the start:
* 404 moved to T3 - 335
* 426 Emilija Gelažninkienė /
Arūnas Gelažninkas
* 445 moved to T3 - 348
– The "Dakar Legends" - competitors that participated in 10 or more Dakar events.
– The first time starters - "rookies".
– Late entries.
– Competitors that were not able to start the race.
Withdrawals before the start:
* 556 Yann Pellegrin / Arnaud Ayala
– The "Dakar Legends" - competitors that participated in 10 or more Dakar events.
– The first time starters - "rookies".
– Competitors that were not able to start the race.
Notes
Stages
* Stage 3 was neutralized after 377 kilometers for all 4-wheel vehicles due to severe weather.
* Due to flooding from the rain on January 3, a bivouac could not be established on time at
Ad Dawadimi
Dawadmi or Ad Dawadimi ( ar, الدوادمي) is a town in Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia. Google Maps spells the name as Al Duwadimi. As of the 2004 census it had a population of 53,071 people. The town is mostly inhabited by the tribe of Banu 'U ...
, prompting organizers to make route changes for stages 6–8. Stage 6 from
Ha'il to
Ad Dawadimi
Dawadmi or Ad Dawadimi ( ar, الدوادمي) is a town in Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia. Google Maps spells the name as Al Duwadimi. As of the 2004 census it had a population of 53,071 people. The town is mostly inhabited by the tribe of Banu 'U ...
was reduced by roughly 100 kilometers, following which competitors would travel to a bivouac in
Riyadh
Riyadh (, ar, الرياض, 'ar-Riyāḍ, lit.: 'The Gardens' Najdi pronunciation: ), formerly known as Hajr al-Yamamah, is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of the Riyadh Province and the centre of th ...
. The route from
Ad Dawadimi
Dawadmi or Ad Dawadimi ( ar, الدوادمي) is a town in Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia. Google Maps spells the name as Al Duwadimi. As of the 2004 census it had a population of 53,071 people. The town is mostly inhabited by the tribe of Banu 'U ...
to
Riyadh
Riyadh (, ar, الرياض, 'ar-Riyāḍ, lit.: 'The Gardens' Najdi pronunciation: ), formerly known as Hajr al-Yamamah, is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of the Riyadh Province and the centre of th ...
originally scheduled to be stage 8 was moved up one day to become stage 7, while the original stage 7 route was moved to become stage 8. With the stage changes, stage 7 effectively became a "marathon" stage, where competitors are prohibited from receiving assistance from their teams during the overnight bivouac. Additionally, stage 7 was cancelled for the bikes and quads classes due to concerns for rider safety.
Stage winners
Stage results
Bikes
Quads
Cars
Light Prototypes (T3)
SSVs (T4)
Trucks
Classics
Final standings
Bikes
Quads
Original by Motul
The Original by Motul class, also known as the Malle Moto class, refers to bikes and quads competitors competing without any kind of assistance. The organizers provide 1 trunk per competitor for storage of the personal belongings, spare parts and tools. Competitors are only allowed to bring 1 headlight, 1 set of wheels, 1 set of tyres, 1 tent with sleeping bag and mattress, 1 travel bag and 1x 25 liter (6.6 gallon) backpack. Organizers allow free use of the generators, compressors and tool-boxes in the bivouac.
Cars
Light Prototypes
SSVs
Trucks
Classics
Incidents
Stage 1. Previous year bike winner
Sam Sunderland
Sam Sunderland (born 15 April 1989 in Poole) is a Dubai-based British rally raid motorcycle rider, best known for his participation in the Dakar Rally, which he won in 2017 and 2022.
Career
Sunderland made his Dakar debut in 2012, riding a Ho ...
suffered an accident at the 52nd kilometer of the stage and was airlifted to Yanbu hospital with a concussion and a fractured shoulder.
Motorcyclist Bradley Cox suffered a broken elbow in an accident, forcing him to withdraw.
Michel Kremer and Thomas de Bois in the car category suffered a fuel leak, which caused the car to catch fire and burn beyond repair. The driver and the co-driver were unharmed.
Stage 3.
Ricky Brabec
Ricky Brabec (born 21 April 1991) is an American professional off-road and rally raid motorcycle racer. He is prominent for being the first American competitor to win the motorcycle division of the Dakar Rally in 2020.
Biography
Brabec was bo ...
suffered an accident at the 274th kilometer of the stage and was attended by the medical team. Brabec was transported to hospital after complaining of neck pain, ending his rally.
Stage 4. Joaquim Rodrigues suffered a fall at roughly the 90 kilometer mark of the stage and was taken to hospital in Ha’il with a broken left femur.
Lithuanian driver
Benediktas Vanagas was airlifted from the stage after an accident after displaying concussion-like symptoms.
Stage 6.
Audi
Audi AG () is a German automotive manufacturer of luxury vehicles headquartered in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany. As a subsidiary of its parent company, the Volkswagen Group, Audi produces vehicles in nine production facilities worldwide.
Th ...
teammates
Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz may refer to:
People
* Carlos Sainz Sr. (born 1962), Spanish rally driver world champion, father of Jr.
* Carlos Sainz Jr. (born 1994), Spanish Formula One driver, son of Sr.
Other uses
* '' Carlos Sainz: World Rally Championship'', 1 ...
and
Stéphane Peterhansel
Stéphane Peterhansel (born 6 August 1965 in Échenoz-la-Méline, Haute-Saône) is a rally driver from France. He holds the record for wins at the Dakar Rally, with 14 victories. In the 2018 season he was one of the official drivers of the Team P ...
crashed in separate incidents at the same spot during kilometer 212 of the stage. Peterhansel's co-driver
Édouard Boulanger Édouard is both a French given name and a surname, equivalent to Edward in English. Notable people with the name include:
* Édouard Balladur (born 1929), French politician
* Édouard Boubat (1923–1999), French photographer
* Édouard Colonne (1 ...
suffered a broken vertebra in their accident, forcing their withdrawal from the rally.
Stage 7. Dutch driver
Erik van Loon suffered a roll 99 kilometers into the stage. Van Loon was airlifted to hospital after he briefly lost consciousness and complained of neck pain after the wreck.
Stage 9. During the stage, Livio Sassinotti, an Italian spectator, died after being involved in an incident with
Aleš Loprais' truck on a sand dune. Sassinotti was airlifted from the scene, but perished before reaching a hospital. The incident marked the fourth consecutive year that the Dakar Rally had seen
a fatality. Loprais, who was the leader of the Truck category at the time, had to miss Stage 10 pending a police investigation, and abandoned the rally.
Spanish motorcyclist
Joan Barreda
Joan Barreda Bort (born 11 August 1983 in Castellón de la Plana) is a Spanish rally raid motorcycle rider, best known for his participation in the Dakar Rally.
Career
Barreda Bort made his Dakar debut in 2011, riding an Aprilia, but was force ...
suffered an accident 16 kilometers into the stage. Barreda was airlifted to a hospital with a fractured vertebra, forcing his withdrawal from the rally.
Spanish driver
Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz may refer to:
People
* Carlos Sainz Sr. (born 1962), Spanish rally driver world champion, father of Jr.
* Carlos Sainz Jr. (born 1994), Spanish Formula One driver, son of Sr.
Other uses
* '' Carlos Sainz: World Rally Championship'', 1 ...
suffered an accident roughly six kilometers into the stage. Sainz initially was evacuated by helicopter due to back and neck pain, but requested the helicopter turn around mid-flight so that he could return to the car and try to finish the rally. Sainz managed to return the car to the bivouac, but was forced to withdraw after finding the car was too badly damaged to be repaired.
References
External links
*
{{Dakar Rally
Dakar Rally
Saudi Arabia sport-related lists
Dakar
Dakar ( ; ; wo, Ndakaaru) (from :wo:daqaar, daqaar ''tamarind''), is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Senegal, largest city of Senegal. The city of Dakar proper has a population of 1,030,594, whereas the population of the Dakar ...
Dakar
Dakar ( ; ; wo, Ndakaaru) (from :wo:daqaar, daqaar ''tamarind''), is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Senegal, largest city of Senegal. The city of Dakar proper has a population of 1,030,594, whereas the population of the Dakar ...
Dakar Rally
The Dakar Rally (or simply "The Dakar"; formerly known as the "Paris–Dakar Rally") is an annual rally raid organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation. Most events since the inception in 1978 were staged from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal ...
Dakar Rally
The Dakar Rally (or simply "The Dakar"; formerly known as the "Paris–Dakar Rally") is an annual rally raid organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation. Most events since the inception in 1978 were staged from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal ...