Bisha: The renowned Dakar Rally, one of the most grueling and perilous off-road endurance events globally, is set to begin in Saudi Arabia this Friday. The 47th edition of the race will start in Bisha, taking competitors on a challenging journey through the Arabian Peninsula’s diverse landscapes, with the final stage concluding in Shubaytah on January 17.
According to Anadolu Agency, the 2025 Dakar Rally will cover a distance of 5,209 kilometers, featuring a variety of terrains including coastal areas, sand dunes, mountains, and the expansive Rub’ al Khali Desert. As part of the race, a two-day marathon stage will be implemented, similar to previous editions. During this stage, drivers must reach one of six designated campsites by 17:00 local time (14:00 GMT) to rest overnight, resuming their journey the following morning to complete an additional 965 kilometers.
Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel remains a prominent figure in the competition, holding the record with 14 Dakar Rally titles-eight in the car category and six in motorcycles. The previous year saw Spain’s Carlos Sainz winning his fourth title in the car category, while Ricky Brabec from the United States secured his second victory in the motorcycle category. Notable participants this year include Frenchman Sebastien Loeb, a nine-time World Rally Championship winner, who will again contend for the title. In addition to Sainz, Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah will compete in the car category, while Brabec and former champion Kevin Benavides of Argentina will race in the motorcycle division.
Since the Dakar Rally’s inception in 1979, the event has claimed the lives of 33 drivers in various accidents. The rally is organized across eight different categories, with the inclusion of ATV and UTV categories in recent years. Beyond the drivers, nearly 50 non-drivers, including journalists, organizers, and spectators, have lost their lives, though the precise number remains uncertain due to incomplete official records. Notably, Thierry Sabine, the founder of the Dakar Rally, tragically died during the event in 1986.