After ten editions in South America, the Dakar Rally, the longest rally race in the world, will take place in Saudi Arabia’s deserts in the Middle East, starting in 2020.

The decision to search for a new host was made by Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the event organiser, after several South American countries, including Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina showed no interest in holding the event. The selection of Saudi Arabia was announced by ASO on April 15th. David Castera, the competition’s director, commented that it would be a pleasure to create a race in “monumental geography, made for the most audacious itineraries.”

In an attempt to bring the Dakar Rally back to the continent where it originated in 1977, African countries such as Angola and South Africa were also considered as possible locations. Originally, the route for the competition went from Paris, France to Dakar, Senegal. Then, for 30 years, it only took place in Africa. After that, it was held in South American countries.

What is a rally?

It is a competition in which participants use cars or motorcycles to complete the route. The 2019 Dakar Rally, for example, spanned five thousand kilometres in Peru, between January 6th and 17th.

Rallies take place in open areas, and usually, the winner is the one who reaches the finish line fastest. There are also endurance rallies, where the goal is to drive through several challenging locations, such as dense jungles or snow.

They can last several days.

Sources: Estadão, istoÉ, and Race Motor

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