Dakar Rally 2012- Lucky Numbers

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2012 Dakar Rally: Lucky Numbers

Ruben Faria at the 2012 Dakar ©Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool

2012 Dakar Rally: Lucky Numbers

by Tim Sturtridge , 9/01/2012

The Dakar Rally is a logistical labour of love for everyone involved in the race. We dissect the numbers of the desert classic.

4...

There are four top titles up for grabs in 2012 in the categories of motorcycles, quads, cars and trucks.

9...

Stephane Peterhansel holds the record for number of wins at the Dakar with six bike and three car titles to his name. Vladimir Chagin has the record for the record number of wins in a single category with seven victories behind the wheel of a Kamaz truck.

14...

There were 14 competitive stages scheduled for the 2012 Dakar Rally to be raced between 1st and 15th January. Severe weather warnings have since seen the stage from Fiambala and Copiapo cancelled reducing the number of race stages to 13.

27...

When the 2012 Dakar Rally enters Peru it will once again be breaking fresh ground. Peru will the 27th country to have played host to the desert classic.

20, 5, 3...

Argentinian quad biker Lucas Bonetto was 20 years 3 months and 5 days old at the start of the 2012 Dakar Rally. The local lad is the youngest entrant into this year’s race.

71, 3, 19...

Behind the wheel of a Toyota Land Cruiser at this year’s Dakar Rally is Francisco Claudio Regunaschi. With 71 years 3 months and 19 days on the clock at the start of the race the Argentinian is this year’s oldest competitor.

Giniel de Villiers on Day 7 of the 2012 Dakar ©Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool

50...

Competitors from 50 countries lined up at the start of the 2012 Dakar Rally in Mar del Plata.

133...

The number of French competitors in this year’s race as the founding nation of the Dakar Rally continues it’s strong tradition with the race.

1,200...

The combined figure of all the Dakar footage that will be transmitted around the world stands at 1200 hours.

190...

The amount of countries around the world that televised footage of the toughest test motorsport has to offer.

465...

The final figure of competition vehicles enter into 2012, an increase of over 50 compared with last year’s figure. 185 motorbikes, 33 quads, 171 cars and 76 trucks set off on the first stage from Mar del Plata this year.

210...

The number of vehicles used by the race organisers to maintain order on the race stages and in the bivouac. Included in this number are 11 helicopters, 12 aircraft, 55 trucks and 5 buses.

260...

The swarm of journalists who follow the rally every step of the way from Mar del Plata to Lima. A further 1800 journalists have been accredited to drop in on the race as it weaves through Argentina, Chile and Peru.

450...

The engine limit imposed on bikes entering the 2012 Dakar Rally is 450cc. This is a new feature to the race and in previous years competitors were free to bring the engine of their choice, normally a 690cc.

1978...

On 26th December 1978 the first edition of the Dakar Rally set off from Paris, France.

8,373...

The total distance of the race route between Mar del Plata and Lima. The distance of the total timed section of the route stood at over 4000km before the cancellation of the sixth stage.

5,000,000...

During the 2011 Dakar Rally a total of 3.5 million people came out to enjoy the race in Argentina and a further 1.5 million rally fans witnessed the action in Chile.

2,500...

Each bivouac becomes home to 2,500 as the race moves on from day to day. Temporary facilities are built at each camp to keep everyone involved in the race feed, washed, healthy and happy.