Dakar's new era gets underway

For the first time since it was conceived in 1979, the Dakar rally will not be taking place in the African desert after the cancellation of the 2008 event following terrorist threats.

Instead of the gruelling challenge of the Sahara desert, competitors will face the plains of Patagonia, the Atacama desert and the Andes mountains, covering over 9,500 km in an event that organisers say will be 100 percent Dakar on a different continent.

"It is very difficult to assess beforehand just how the 'new Dakar' will really look and what challenges it provides," says Giniel de Villiers, the South African Volkswagen driver who starts as one of the favourites for victory.

"There are a great many unknowns this year such as, for example, how the terrain is. After all, what you hear is that it will be harder than in the previous years. The stages are long; the temperatures are higher than in Africa and many passages with high sand dunes await us.

"So, I'm convinced that the organisers have put together a unique rally."

A total of 530 teams - 188 cars, 230 bikes, 82 trucks and 30 quads - will compete along the 5,650 km of special stages in Argentina and Chile from 3 to 18 January.

Despite the change of scenery, the battle for victory is again expected to be fought out between Mitsubishi and Volkswagen, the main protagonists in the past years.

The Japanese manufacturer, winner of the event for the last seven years, will be facing a new challenge this time out, as it will be using its new turbocharged diesel Racing Lancer, having won the rally with the petrol-powered Pajero every time since 2001.

The Mitsubishi challenge will again be spearheaded by a line-up full of Dakar stars, led by nine-time winner Stephane Peterhansel.

"I am curious to see what Argentina and Chile hold in store for us," says the Frenchman, winner of three of the last four events. "I've visited both countries before - in 2005, for the Por Las Pampas Rally. That was very long event and quite difficult, but it was good training because it means we have an approximate idea of what to expect on this year's Dakar.

"The new diesel engine is more powerful and delivers more torque, too, of course, and we have also made excellent progress with the new chassis and suspension.

"In this domain, I have to say that the Racing Lancer is one of the best packages I have ever had the privilege to drive during my time with Mitsubishi. It is very comfortable and particularly efficient over bumpy terrain and jumps."

Volkswagen, meanwhile, will continue using the diesel-powered Race Touareg the German car maker has raced since its debut in the Dakar in 2004.

With de Villiers and two-time world rally champion Carlos Sainz as their leading drivers, Volkswagen is again setting its sights on the elusive victory.

"The Dakar Rally is one of the greatest challenges in motorsport. It will be even tougher in 2009," says Volkswagen Motorsport boss Kris Nissen.

"Our goal is to win this acid test for man and machine for the first time. To achieve this we have assembled the best possible package. In the Race Touareg we have a well-developed and fast car driven by four strong driver/co-driver pairs.

"The entire team has left absolutely nothing to chance during the intensive period of preparation. We are perfectly equipped for this new challenge in South America."

As usual, the event has also attracted a host of star names from elsewhere in motorsport.

Reigning World Touring Car champion Yvan Muller again tackles the event solo in his buggy, while double World Rally champion Miki Biasion is in a Mitsubishi.

Former Formula One drivers Ukyo Katayama (driving a Toyota) and Eliseo Salazar are also tackling the Dakar, with the Chilean using the Alister McRae developed McRae Enduro car that fits in the T1.2 category, a level below the out and out manufacturer cars vying for outright victory, but above the T2 class for more standard cars.

SEAT WTCC driver Tom Coronel joins his twin brother Tim in a Bowler, but it will be the latter who is on driving duties while Tom reads the maps.