The 46th edition of the Dakar Rally comprises a total of twelve stages and is very varied – a marathon stage over two days and 48 hours is new
The 46th edition of the Dakar Rally will take place from January 5 to 19, 2024. Saudi Arabia will host the event for the fifth time. Twelve stages are planned, including the prologue. A total of 7,891 kilometers must be covered in a loop through the country. A total of 4,727 kilometers are planned for the timed distance
A total of 778 participants were on the original entry list. That was 434 vehicles in all classes. These included 137 motorcycles, 10 quads, 72 cars, 46 trucks, 42 Challenger vehicles (prototype SSVs) and 36 SSVs as well as 3 stock cars. 66 cars and 14 trucks have registered for the Dakar Classic. In addition, there are ten vehicles in the Mission 1000 Future.
However, not all of the registered participants will roll across the starting ramp of the rally. Austrian figurehead Matthias Walkner, for example, was seriously injured during preparatory tests and is on the road to recovery after several operations.
Walkner’s KTM team colleague Kevin Benavides will be the defending champion in the motorcycle category. In the automobile category, Nasser Al-Attiyah is aiming for his sixth Dakar victory. The sports star from Qatar has switched from Toyota to Prodrive
5 January – Prologue: Al-‘Ula – 157 kilometers (SS 27):
The first short section is a warm-up to determine the starting order for the first day. It is a technical section with rocky passages, but also sandy terrain. Before the participants are sent on their way, the start ceremony takes place, where everyone rides over the start ramp in front of an audience and is introduced.
6 January – Stage 1: Al-‘Ula to Al-Henakiyah – 532 kilometers (SS 405):
A direction is taken right at the start that has never been traveled before in Saudi Arabia. The route heads south-east into an area with extinct volcanoes. Even at this early stage of the race, it is not easy to navigate the route
7 January – Stage 2: Al-Henakiyah to Ad-Dawadimi – 662 kilometers (SS470):
The first few days will be no walk in the park. Stage 2 will be a very long day with a long liaison section. The special is also new this time. In the first part, the first dune belts await over 30 kilometers. The terrain then gets faster
8 January – Stage 3: Ad-Dawadimi to Al-Salamiya – 733 kilometers (SS 440):
The next endurance test awaits in the first week. The third day is the first part of a marathon stage. The Speciale is a mix of stony passages, fast sandy sections and dune belts. The rhythm changes constantly. At the finish, the riders only have two hours for service work before the vehicles are locked in a closed area
9 January – Stage 4: Al-Salamiya to Hofuf – 631 kilometers (SS 299):
The second part of the marathon stage is a little easier. The terrain is a little faster, but there are also difficult passages to navigate. Once you have mastered this, you reach the city of Hofuf, which is surrounded by oases and up to three million date palms
10 January – Stage 5: Hofuf to Shubaytah – 664 kilometers (SS 118):
On this day, the first riders leave the bivouac very early in the morning. First there is a long, tiring liaison section. Finally the Empty Quarter is reached. There is sand and dunes as far as the eye can see. The challenge may look easy, but it demands everything from the participants. Only a few will reach the bivouac before sunset
11 and 12 January – Stage 6: Loop around Shubaytah – 818 kilometers (SS 584):
On the next two days, a loop around Shubaytah will be ridden in the Empty Quarter, the largest sandy desert on earth. This is a marathon stage lasting 48 hours. Two-wheelers and four-wheelers take a slightly different route.
But it is no ordinary marathon stage. When the clock strikes 16:00 on the first day, the participants have to head for the nearest bivouac. There are a total of six temporary bivouacs scattered around the area.
The participants are given tents and only the bare essentials to spend the night. They are completely on their own and practically cut off from the outside world. Only when they return to Shubaytah on the second day do they find out the time gaps and how the race has changed over the past 48 hours
January 13 – Rest day in Riyadh
After the 48-hour marathon, the motorcycles and quads are flown to the capital of Saudi Arabia. The cars, side-by-sides and trucks have to cover a connecting distance of 853 kilometers from Shubaytah to Riyadh. Nevertheless, the rest day will provide a small opportunity for a break
14 January – Stage 7: Riyadh to Ad-Dawadimi – 873 kilometers (SS 483):
The second week looks a little easier on paper. There could be an opportunity to make up lost time and start a race to catch up. Stage 7 begins with rocky gorges before the final section features small dune belts
15 January – Stage 8: Ad-Dawadimi to Ha’il – 678 kilometers (SS 458):
The terrain is somewhat easier. From the city center, the route heads north. It is sandy and flat, but as the stage progresses, it also goes through stonier terrain in the sand. The riders have to be careful not to puncture their tires. This will be the criterium of the day
16 January – Stage 9: Ha’il to Al-‘Ula – 639 kilometers (SS 417):
In the north of Saudi Arabia, the panorama is impressive. But the riders have to concentrate on the fast sections first. Later on, navigation will be in demand when it becomes much more difficult between rocky plateaus.
17 January – Stage 10: Loop around Al-‘Ula – 609 kilometers (SS 371):
The starting position is important for this possibly decisive day. There are many large, rocky plateaus around Al-‘Ula. The riders have to find their way around the sandy slopes. It is particularly important to avoid problems here
18 January – Stage 11: Al-‘Ula to Yanbu – 587 kilometers (SS 480):
Shortly before the finish, a long special is on the program. It goes through the terrain that formed stage 2 last year and posed major problems for many riders. The route leads through arid and rough terrain. Tire damage could once again be an issue here
19 January – Stage 12: Loop around Yanbu – 328 kilometers (SS 175):
Yanbu lies on the coast of the Red Sea. It is home to the second most important port in Saudi Arabia and is also the main port for the city of Medina, which lies around 160 kilometers to the east. The last stage is not extremely difficult, but if there are close margins again (among the motorcycles), an exciting finale is guaranteed
