New route and electric class announced for 2022 Dakar Rally
The Dakar Rally is returning to Saudi Arabia in 2022 with a new route and a new classThe famous Dakar Rally will return to Saudi Arabia for the third year running, with organisers revealing the route for the 2022 edition, as well as a new low-carbon emissions class.
Starting in Ha’il, the notoriously difficult race will head in a south-easterly direction, with a rest day in Riyadh. There will be plenty of sand, including towering dunes in the iconic Empty Quarter. The rally will reach its conclusion in the seaside city of Jeddah.
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New era
Interestingly, organisers have announced an electric class in a bid to help the event move towards a greener future. The T1-E category is reserved for prototypes engaged in low-carbon emission research. Audi the first manufacturer to accept the challenge, with plans to enter the class in 2022. It is unclear if the class will accept motorcycles in 2022.
With bans on combustion engine vehicles proposed in many European countries, Dakar organisers have stated that the entire field will be powered by alternative energies by 2030. Constructors are working tirelessly behind the scenes to build competitive low-carbon emission vehicles.
In other Dakar news, the electronic roadbook will be generalised for all cars, SSVs and trucks, while a version will also be made available for elite riders in the motorbike and quad categories. The Dakar Classic will also return in 2022, with classic vehicles taking on a tailored route through Saudi Arabia.
The Dakar Rally moved to Saudi Arabia in 2020 after South American countries lost interest in the race. It had been held in South America since 2009, following security concerns in its original home in northern Africa.
Argentina’s Kevin Benavides won the motorcycle category in 2021 aboard his HRC Honda CRF450F Rally. He was joined on the podium by teammate Ricky Brabec and KTM’s Sam Sunderland.
Rookie Aussie Daniel Sanders finished an impressive fourth aboard his KTM 450 Rally, while two-time winner Toby Price failed to finish after a nasty crash.
The 2022 Dakar Rally will run in Saudi Arabia from January 2-14, 2022.
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