Dakar Rally officially confirmed in Saudi Arabia for 2020

Dakar Rally moves continents for 2020 – after 10 years in South America to hardest off road race on earht will move to the deserts of Saudi Arabia.

It's the news we've been expecting for a few months now but the Dakar Rally organisers, ASO, have announced the 2020 Dakar will make its Middle Eastern debut in Saudi Arabia next January.

In news announcement today the organisers, ASO, still speaks of the event taking on “an unknown landscape and an uncharted terrain.” More details about the 2020 event are expected from a press conference on April 25 in Al Qiddiya near the Saudi capital of Riyadh but it is reasonable to predict next year's event to feature a high proportion of sand and dunes again.

David Castera, the newly appointed Director of the Dakar rally says he is relishing the fresh challenge in the new location: “As the director of the event, it’s a massive challenge to be faced with a blank page with limitless possibilities. 

“I’m already inspired and delighted to have to design a course in such a monumental geography, made for the most audacious itineraries. We are spoilt for choice. Sports, navigation, a will to surpass oneself: all these aspects will naturally be glorified on this territory made for rally-raids.”