Unveiling the 47th Edition of the Dakar Rally
The 47th edition of the Dakar Rally is shaping up to be another epic adventure, with entries opening on May 18th, 2024. Anticipation is already building, and here's what we can expect:
During the Score Baja 500, held in Ensenada at the end of May, the ASO Dakar World Tour offered a glimpse into the exciting features and changes planned for the 2025 Dakar Rally.
Dates and Route: The rally will take place from January 3rd to 17th, 2025, starting in Bisha and finishing in Shubaytah, both familiar locations for past competitors. Bisha is far from urban centers, and this will be the third time that the rally visits Bisha, while Shubaytah is a remote town deep in the Empty Quarter. Another new & exciting thing is that the prologue will finish in the bivi, next to the start bivouac. Furthermore, there will be at least 5 loop stages, making things a bit easier on support crews, as the bivouac will not be moving as much as in 2024.
Separate Tracks for Safety: A big change for 2025 is that at least five stages will feature separate race courses for cars and motorcycles. This aims to reduce dangerous overtaking situations and make navigation more challenging for car drivers who won't be able to rely on following motorcycle tracks. Trucks will also have their own course in one stage in the Empty Quarter.
Return of the Brutal "Chrono 48h": The grueling 48-hour marathon stage, introduced in 2024, is back again. Competitors will face over 900 km of racing over two days with designated rest stops at bivouacs where only basic amenities are available. In 2024 the Chrono was 540 km with mainly sand and dunes. 2025 will have more varied terrain alternating between fast and technical sections, and will be almost double the distance of the Chrono stage of 2024! It is also worth noting that the designated Marathon stage in 2025 will be over 800 km long, and this will bring some very unique challenges in taking care of man and machine. This means including the Chrono stage, there will effectively be two marathon stages in Dakar 2025.
Empty Quarter Challenge: The rally will feature a challenging three-day adventure through the vast and unforgiving Empty Quarter desert, culminating in the final stage. The penultimate stage, a surprising twist, will be entirely composed of sand and dunes and will stretch over 400 km. This creates a unique challenge in race strategy and planning for the top teams. Without a doubt, this stage is designed to cause major upsets in the rankings, ensuring a thrilling and unpredictable race right up to the final stage.
Blast from the Past: In a thrilling throwback to the Dakar's swashbuckling past, the 2025 edition is set to feature a mass start for the final stage! This harks back to the grueling rallies of the 1980s, where competitors jostled for position at the beginning of the final leg, adding an extra layer of chaos and excitement to the race's climax. Buckle up for an unpredictable and potentially game-changing dash to the finish line!
Focus on Sustainable Fuels: The Dakar Rally recognizes the environmental impact of the race and is taking steps towards more sustainable practices, with a focus on alternative fuels for Dakar 2025
Increased Use of Biofuels: The Dakar organization aims for a widespread adoption of biofuels in the car and truck categories by 2025. Biofuels are derived from renewable sources like plants or algae and can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels.
Dacia's Pioneering Role with Synthetic Fuels: Dacia's participation with a synthetic fuel-powered prototype in the 2025 Dakar is a significant development. Synthetic fuels are created by combining captured carbon dioxide with renewable hydrogen. While still under development, they offer the potential to be carbon-neutral when produced using renewable energy sources for hydrogen creation. This paves the way for cleaner participation in future editions.
Testing Ground for Sustainability: The Dakar Rally sees itself as a testing ground for future advancements in sustainable motorsport technology. By encouraging the use of alternative fuels, the organizers aim to gather data and promote innovation in this field, ultimately leading to cleaner and more sustainable racing.
The full extent of biofuel adoption by different teams in 2025 remains to be seen, but the regulation change shows a clear direction towards sustainability.
There are still technical challenges associated with biofuels and synthetic fuels, such as ensuring performance remains competitive with traditional fuels.
The long-term goal of the Dakar is to transition entirely to low-emission fuels in the car and truck categories by 2030.
Dakar 2025 might not be a complete revolution in terms of sustainable fuels, but it's a significant step towards a cleaner future for the grueling rally.
The 47th edition of the Dakar Rally promises to be an unforgettable adventure, filled with exciting new features and formidable challenges, shaping up to be an epic test of endurance and strategy. From the grueling stages in the Empty Quarter to the push for sustainable fuels, the 2025 Dakar Rally is set to push competitors to their limits while paving the way for a more sustainable future in motorsport.
This article, part of the Decoding Dakar initiative, is just a taste of what awaits in the vast deserts of Saudi Arabia. If you share the passion for the Dakar and want to see more content like this, or even support my journey to compete (donate to Go Fund Me now) , please follow along on social media . Together, let's decode the Dakar and witness the pinnacle of off-road racing!
Photo credits - Dakar/ASO
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