Zoom Etienne Lavigne.

Director of the Dakar, Etienne Lavigne gave out some information on the event that will take place from the 3rd to the 18th of January 2009.

On the vast Argentinean and Chilean territories, a large loop of 9 000 kilometres including around 6 000 kilometres of specials, will have to be covered by the competitors to reach Buenos Aires, start and finish place of the race.

What conclusions can be drawn about registrations for Dakar 2009 ?
« The result is excellent. It's a real success ; we've received almost 600 applications. There is a very real enthusiasm for the 2009 edition. This proves, quite simply, that the Dakar is unique - always a great adventure, and it is inimitable. The Dakar goes on - and continues to inspire dreams. I would like to take advantage of this interview to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the competitors who've registered for the Dakar 2009, in spite of the difficult context, -those people have shown a great deal of confidence in us. »

Can you tell us a bit more about Dakar 2009 ?
« This will be a really great event ! Believe me, we have rarely been so excited as we were by what we saw on our reconnaissance trips - what a discovery ! Breathtaking landscapes, and such incredible diversity ! Time and time again, we stopped in our tracks - simply to admire our surroundings. It is indescribable - nature in a pure state. »

In concrete terms, what is the course like ?
« The route is ambitious - remember, we'll be doing 6,000 km of specials ! It will be extremely varied - there will be fast, very fast, steering, sand, and dunes - drivers will need the skill to adapt to different race conditions from one day to the next. The route will be both testing and demanding... People will have to be very well prepared, physically. »

So should competitors expect a difficult route ?
« Yes. We are organising the Dakar, not a walk in the park, and the Dakar has to be the toughest race in the world. »

In practical terms - will there be bivouacs ?
« Of course ! And every day ! This is another example of where competitors are going to be very surprised. We've selected extraordinary locations – for example, alongside the Atlantic and Pacific oceans ! And in the middle of the Pampa, we'll be offering sumptuous and wild bivouacs ! In places where we can really make the most of the natural environment around us ! The « Bivouac » spirit with catering, briefings, all the competitors coming together to share their experiences… It's essential, this is the Dakar spirit, these are our values. »