A few days ago we brought a Dakar Rally basics article. It is a primer for those who hear about the race but aren’t too sure how it all works. Click here to read that article. The big race is just a matter of days away. With that in mind, we bring you a 2023 Dakar Rally preview where we outline the upcoming event that will take place from 31st December 2022 to 15th January 2023.

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Long Road

The 45th edition of the Dakar will take place entirely within the borders of Saudi Arabia for the fourth time. This race will also form the opening round of the FIA-FIM World Rally-Raid Championship. 

The route will take competitors from the beaches of the Red Sea to the Arabian Gulf. This will include a three-day journey through the Empty Quarter. The 2023 race route will comprise 8 549 km, 4 706 km of which will be timed. Pilots will be faced with gargantuan dunes and the toughest rocky terrain in the world as they aim to make the finish line.

Main Players

About 400 vehicles are expected to line up at the prologue on 31 December. All eyes will, as always, be on the cars division. Titleholder Nasser Al-Attiyah will be the man to beat in his Toyota Hilux. Al-Attiyah is chasing a fifth Dakar win. The SA-based outfit is fielding three cars this year, as you can read here. Local hero Giniel De Villiers will be gearing up for his 20th Dakar, the 2009 winner will be hoping to double his win tally this year.

Click here to check out highlights from De Villiers Dakar career.

Audi will be aiming to move up the rankings, adding to its four stage wins in 2022. The UK-built Prodrive Hunter cars, led by 2022 runner-up Sebastien Loeb will be the other main team to watch. Both outfits have several overall winners and stage victors among them. Seasoned Dakar campaigners Carlos Sainz and Stephane Peterhansel spearhead the Audi charge. The Dakar Classic category has really grown in 2023 with the field swelling to about 100 vehicles.

Other Classes

Sam Sunderland will be the main man in the two-wheel category. He is fast and consistent on his KTM. The ongoing war between Russia and the Ukraine will make its mark on the 2023 Dakar Rally. The dominant Kamaz team will not be at this year’s race. This opens the door for any one of a number of teams that have run in the wake of the all-conquering Russian outfit for several years.

There’ll be plenty of interest in Saudi racer Dania Akeel. The female racer who competes in the lightweight prototype T3 class. Keep an eye on our site from 31 December for daily updates as the race unfolds.