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First Race
The Dakar began in 1977, when Thierry Sabine got lost on his motorbike in the Libyan desert during the Abidjan-Nice Rally. -
1981-Paris-Dakar
The Paris-Dakar rapidly won over the public, fascinated by these ordinary adventurers defying the desert with limited resources. -
1983-First time in Tenere Desert
The first visit to the Tenere desert was as astounding as it was terrifying. The competitors found themselves plunged into an interminable sandstorm which caused no less than 40 drivers to lose their bearings. -
1986-Helicopter Accident
Thierry Sabine, French singer Daniel Balavoine, journalist Nathaly Odent, pilot Franois Xavier-Bagnoud and radio technician Jean-Paul Le Fur all met their deaths in a helicopter accident. Thierry Sabine's ashes were scattered in the desert. The race went on but no one rally cared -
1988
Over 600 vehicles started out from Versailles. Peugeot, which had made a successful debut the previous year, set out to defend its title. -
1992-First race in Africa
For this special edition, a crossing of the African continent, from the north to the southernmost tip, was the task facing the competitors. The Paris - Cape rally comprised 22 stages and passed through 10 countries on a route stretching 12,427 km -
1995 : Viva Espana
For the first time, the start did not take place in France, but at Grenada in Spain. -
2000 : A blue buggy in Cairo
To mark the new millennium, the Dakar opted for a route with an eternal flavour: the finish was at the foot of the Gizeh Pyramids, where the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt lie. -
2005 : A blue bike at the summit
The motorcyclist Cyril Despres dedicated his victory to Richard Sainct, who had died a few weeks earlier during the Pharaohs Rally -
2007 : Peterhansel makes it 9
231 bikers, 14 quads,181 teams in cars and 85 trucks lined up at the start in Lisbon. Stphane Peterhansel took his 9th win. -
2008
The event was cancelled due to a terrorist threat.
