Dakar Rally Officials Attend Desert Race
Spira Tlhankane | Monday June 24, 2019 11:57
The Dakar Rally is already headed to Saudi Arabia for the third chapter in 2020, but competitions relations manager, Charles Cuypers of the Dakar Rally told the media during the race that they support TDR because it is a desert race and an automatic qualification spot for the Dakar.
“We have a lot of interest to come help promote and motivate this Southern African event,” he said.
Cuypers added that TDR is a way for racers to prepare for Dakar and show who they really are. He did not rule out the possibility of the race returning to Africa and hosted in countries such as Botswana.
“Right now we are headed to Saudi Arabia in 2020 but after five years anything is possible,” he said. He said Dakar chooses host countries looking at the geography. “We want something sandy, mixture of terrains and the technicality,” he said.
Next year Rally Dakar, an event with a huge global appeal, is coming to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East for the first time. Drivers will discover the beauty of Saudi nature and a unique spectacle for motorsport fans.
The third chapter of its history is particularly fascinating and exciting for a race focused on exploration like the Dakar. The winner of this year’s TDR has won an automatic spot to Saudi Arabia 2020.