The participants in the 16th edition of the “Africa Eco Race” Rally, which links Monaco to Dakar, arrived on Saturday afternoon in Dakhla, before resuming their race towards Mauritania on Monday.
Organized under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, in partnership with the Sahara Moroccan Rally Association, this sporting event, which takes place from December 28 to January 12, has more than 500 participants from 27 countries, who take part in the motorcycle, car, quad, truck and SSV (all-terrain utility vehicles) categories.
Over a distance of approximately 6,000 km, the competitors cross the deserts of Morocco and Mauritania for 15 days of competition, before reaching Dakar, precisely Lac Rose, where the final stage competitions will take place.
The Morocco stage is one of the most important of the Africa Eco Race, with a route linking Tangier to the southern provinces of Morocco over five stages, between Tangier and Tarda (Errachidia) over 755 km, Tarda and Tagounite (Zagora ) over 357 km, Tagounite and Touizgui (Assa-Zag) over 547 km, Touizgui and Laâyoune (507 km), and Laâyoune to Dakhla (500 km).
In a press statement, the general coordinator of the Rally, Anthony Schlesser, stressed that this stopover in Dakhla allows participants to take the time to rest and prepare for the next stages.
Mr. Schlesser also welcomed the warm welcome they received in Dakhla, noting that the participants in this race expressed their admiration for the natural assets abounding in the southern provinces of the Kingdom.
The events of this competition take place in the form of regularity races on courses including rolling, slightly sandy tracks, thus highlighting the endurance, reliability and driving skills of the participants.
For security reasons, each vehicle is equipped with a satellite tracking system allowing their geolocation and equipped with a voice function to call or be called by the race PCs.
According to the organizers, this off-road rally is a true human adventure, as it immerses its participants in a typical atmosphere, on new tracks giving pride of place to driving, in the heart of unforgettable landscapes.
