Paris – Dakar Rally

MORE THAN JUST A RACE…

The Paris-Dakar Rally pits over 400 drivers against each other in a grueling 17-day race over 6,500 miles. The competitors race a mixture of buggies, 4×4 vehicles, motorbikes and quad bikes across the toughest terrain and conditions! This Paris event (partly Paris, certainly) attracts crowds of people, who for couple of days forget about Paris sightseeing, do not spend days and nights visiting all those tourist attractions in Paris, but watch the start of the race. More than just a race…

A Little History.

Once upon a time…

The Enduro is more than just a competition. Twenty-nine years of experience, the loyalty of over 1,200 riders, the commitment of men and women, professionals or unknown, all fired with the same passion for motor sports. Without any rational explanation, if not for the belief of its creator, Thierry Sabine, and the quality of the spectacle that has been its hallmark since the first edition in 1975, “Le Touquet” has forged its place as the mythical race par excellence, the world’s major endurance event.

Traditionally organized on a Sunday, the Enduro du Touquet then opened out to four-wheelers. Younger sister of the queen race, the quad event took place for the first time in 1997 and, on Saturday afternoon, gives the kick-off for a festive weekend.

The world of Thierry Sabine

As the event grew in prestige, the riders gave in to the fever of Le Touquet to gradually become event specialists and make the meeting the major challenge for their season. “Bringing it off at Le Touquet” is not just a sporting objective. For sand and bike buffs, it is a quest, almost an obsession that, in itself, justifies several months of training. An event open to all, in which everyone can try their luck, the Enduro du Touquet Pas-de-Calais remains faithful to its primary mission – giving rise to dreams and passion.

These are the values which bring together some 300,000 spectators who, year in, year out, line the beaches of the Opal Coast. The public’s renewed support and the festive atmosphere which rapidly sprung up around the race are two of the essential ingredients of the world which Thierry Sabine strived to create in 1975. At the time press attaché to the town of Le Touquet, the future founder of the “Dakar” drew his inspiration from the mass enduro races in the U.S.. Christened “Enduro des Sables” or Sand Enduro, the first edition lined up 286 competitor-pioneers, French riders for the most part, and the “Touquet” was initially run in two rounds. It met with almost immediate success and the number of participants constantly rose to reach a record 1,100 bikers in 1989. Despite sometimes adverse France weather conditions, competitors’ enthusiasm and motivation have never waned. And, as it became a great popular and festive event, the Enduro du Touquet rapidly kept all its promises.

Northern invaders

The first four editions were won by French enduro and motocross specialists. Then a new boost was given with the arrival en masse of foreign riders, lured by the event’s renown. For manufacturers, the race has become a fabulous test bench. In 1981, KTM decided to become involved and brought along its best sand specialists, such as Dutchman Kees Van Der Ven, holder of the record number of victories with five consecutive wins (1982-83-84-85-86).
After KTM, it was Yamaha’s turn to stamp the history of the event, in the shape of Swedish motocross champion Leif Persson. Belgian Erik Geboers, riding a factory Honda, notched up an honorable series of three titles up to 1990.

In 91, the race was cancelled but took place the following year. The Opal Coast regained its colors, even if competitors were down in number. The event was won by Yann Guédard, for the first time on a 250 cc bike.

Motivated and undergoing tailored training throughout the winter, riders from the Nord region wrote their names on the roll of honor with a spark of regional patriotism. Four-times winner Arnaud Demeester (1995-96-98-2002) and still pretender to Van der Ven’s record, has made the event his specialty. David Hauquier, also from the vicinity of Le Touquet, slipped his name onto the roll of honor in 1997.

Although not officially buried, the Northern era was then countered by Vendée competitor Thierry Béthys who rose to the summit and marked the official return of Honda France during the 2000 edition. In 2000-01-03, Béthys ensured Honda’s ascendancy in three out of the last four editions over rival Yamaha in the battle of the stables (9-8 in all).

By altering the circuit, running the event in one round and introducing other modifications, the organizers have ensured the continuity of the race and, at the same time, shown their concern to protect the environment.

Paris – Dakar Rally: the race
The bike circuit: 16,8 km

• Start – Merlimont ( the « Goulet » approached from the south): 8,5 km
• Dunes Zone (« Goulet » – end of dunes): 0,8 km
• Three obstacle zones: Touquet jetty, Merlimont jetty, Stella jetty

The final classification will be established according to the total number of laps completed after 3 hours of racing, and the order of crossing the finishing line on the last lap.

The quad circuit: 7 km
The quad circuit, run exclusively on the beach, is punctuated with obstacles to increase race entertainment and the riders’ enjoyment.
The organization:

• 1,500 people are involved in organizing the event:
• 5 units of CRS,
• 60 police motorcyclists, including 25 in the dunes,
• 65 gendarmes, 300 policemen,
• 160 fireman, 75 security guards,
• 180 race stewards,
• 80 of the town’s technical personnel,
• 80 volunteers…

Medical team
The organization medical cover comprises:

• 2 advanced medical posts (field hospitals),
• 1 medical center, 6 « Croix Rouge»  points,
• 14 doctors, 2 surgeons, 11 nurses,
• 4 helicopters (Civil Security, Samu, Gendarmerie, Customs).

Paris – Dakar Rally: THE ROUTE

A 16 800 meter circuit.
After the traditional line start on the beach, the competitors will attack a straight 8 kilometer line up to Merlimont. This sector will include three zigzag sections.
At the end of the straight line, a U-turn will bring the competitors back towards Stella-Plage. In this section, two obstacle zones will be set up: the first in front of the Merlimont jetty and the second in front of the Stella-Plage jetty.
The competitors will arrive towards the Goulet which will be approached for the first time from the South. There will then be 800 meters of circuit through the dunes running the length of the horse-riding track. Just before May Village, the circuit will fork towards the beach and the competitors will return Northwards with a series of obstacles set up in front of the Touquet jetty.
The Pointe Nord de la Canche, a protected area, will not be included in the circuit.
To finish, the competitors will arrive at the assistance parc situated at the Canche campsite via the Boulevard Thierry Sabine.

Paris – Dakar Rally: Useful Information

Situated in the triangle, Paris-London-Brussels, and nestled in the heart of a centuries old pine forest, the resort of Le Touquet – once nicknamed « The Channel Garden » – represents a concentrated form of the Opal coastline.

Resolutely turned towards large open spaces, generously open to the sea, the forest and the sand dunes, the Le Touquet resort is an ideal place to practice all « big outdoors » sporting activities (see also Popular France Sports). It is a unique area where all passions can be expressed.

The Touquet-Paris-Plage, where all passions are encountered: under the Touquet skies passions beat more strongly, and all year long the resort vibrates to the rhythm of its important rendezvous. The number of events, exhibitions, meetings and manifestations which take place throughout the year, are among the highest in all France.

RANKING AND PRIZES

1 st Woman rider
1 st Regional rider (residents in regions 59 and 62)
1 st Native Touquet rider
1 st Senior over 50
1 st Special prize A.S.O.
1 st Solo prize for quads

and scratch and category rankings.

Bike: Special « Holeshot » prize: the expression originates from moto-x racing in the USA, with mass starts. It refers to the rider who is the first to take the first corner.

Quad: Ranking « Guidon jeune quad ». A special prize will reward the team with the first best-placed young riders (cumulated ages). They will have their entry for the 12 heures de Pont-de-Vaux in September 2004 paid for.

Total Prizes: 6 560 € for the quad race.
Total Prizes: 11 800 € for the bike race.

Paris – Dakar Rally TV Coverage in France
•  Eurosport: 26′ delayed broadcast on Monday 16th February at 22h15
• Feed news at the end of the weekend.
For details concerning access to pictures, please contact the ASO Press Department.
•  France 2: Stade 2 on Sunday at 18h00
•  France 3 Nord Pas-de-Calais: daily features in the week preceding the event ; magazines all weekend ; live broadcast on Saturday evening ; feature in Sunday sport and before or during the evening News Program.

Paris – Dakar Rally International TV Coverage
•  RTBF (Belgium), La SETTE (Italy), T V Deporte (Spain), HAYAT TV (Bosnia), STUDIO B (Serbia Montenegro), ARMENIA TV (Armenia), LNT (Latvia), MEDYA TV (Kurdistan): 26 minute program
•  Eurosport International: 26 minute program.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Accommodation
The Tourist Office is at your disposal to help you with reservations.
Palais de l’Europe, Place de l’Hermitage
Tel. +33 (0)3.21.06.72.00
Fax: +33 (0)3.21.06.72.19

For Paris accommodation see Paris Lodging and Paris Hotels pages. Keep safe side and book in advance: France tourism flourishes these days. And of course, do not expect any discounts, Paris, cheap flights, Paris, etc.

Transport
Le Touquet, the resort at the crossroads of Europe. Situated 120 km from Lille, 220 km from Paris, 250 km from Brussels… Le Touquet-Paris-Plage can be reached by road, rail or air transport!

Find all relevant information on the town of Le Touquet on the web site:
www.letouquet.com