In cross-country rallying, there is probably no harder event then the Dakar Rally. The first thing to mention is that it’s still called the Dakar Rally even though it hasn’t been driven in Africa for years. The current South American edition is great but I must admit that I greatly miss Africa and the authentic spirit of Sahara desert. However, the show must go on and actors are to take a challenge on any stage chosen by organizers. Some may say that this event has become something like an industrial entertainment for rich people but it still has that haunting call on every adrenaline addicted, either adventurer or professional driver.
Rallying hasn’t been much popular in the mainstream media for years now. I am an occasional rally driver and I know how challenging is to find a sponsorship. For participating in the Dakar rally, one needs a lavish sponsor. Some of my friends participated in the Dakar Rally (both editions: African and South American) and they all point out that the costs are enormous.
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If you'd like to take part in this rally, first of all, you must have an international FIA license. For to get it, you must have previous experience in rallying. Then, go and download the regulations. They have 159 pages. One must understand it very well. It is essential for a quick reaction in unknown situations. To take action is usually co-driver’s burden, but from my experience, it’s good for a driver to know everything.
Entry fee is something like 28 000€ without a cover for death insurance. It is one of the possible outcomes, one needs to accept. Not crybabies school trip for sure. The next thing on your list is to secure a service truck. You can share it with other competitors. That way you can all save expenses. The entry fee for that truck is 10 000€. One also needs to pay the mechanic crew who also get a piece of the cake you brought along. I was talking about entry fee for the race cars. Entry fees for motorbikes are cheaper but I am not into riding Dakar rally with a motorcycle. Since the best things in life are free, you can still eat and sleep in bivouac, free of charge.
So, how does one bring a race car to South America if one is, let’s say, located in Europe?!
First, you must bring it to the port of Le Havre in France and face the fact that French pretend not to speak English. (That is where you will have the first scrutineering of your vehicle done.) The ferry boat takes the car to the Port de Callao in Lima. I know some guys who drove to Le Havre. Meaning, they were driving their expensive and delicate rally cars for thousands of kilometres on highways, just to reduce the costs. If you don’t want to take a joyride to Le Havre, you must rent a trailer which has to be brought back afterwards. When this is done, you are already crazy and you haven’t even started your rally.
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After you've sorted that all out in the least painful way and moved on, when your car arrives in Lima, it must pass administrative checks and another round of scrutineering. Your hot wheels must be prepared for the rally under the local homologation rules. Homologation book must be kept in your car at all times during these checks and the rally.
Let’s take a moment to compare participation in the rally by car vs by motorbike. It’s much easier for motorbikes. You can rent it for around 20 000€. Of course, that’s the cost without necessary service and fuel budget of appx. 20 000€. So, we are already at 40 000€ but just before we have to cash out another 20 000€ for the entry fee. Then, there is also the cost of the aeroplane tickets waiting in line plus your personal expenses budget. It totals around 70 000€.
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If you don't feel dizzy by now, you have to know that if you are competing with a rented car, your sponsor will have to be way more generous. Let’s say that the rented car budget totals around 200 000€. If he's got to cash out this money for you, you've probably told him not to worry because you are winning for sure. If this happens not to be the case, the only thing you'll have left is the experience and nostalgic remembrance. It is very unlikely that anything will remain in your pocket. :)
So once you've paid your entry fee instead of a mansion in Philippine's paradise Laguna, your car has passed administrative and regulative matters and you can start the darn rally. But, then it all comes back to your mind. It’s not just any kind of rally. It’s the Dakar Rally – hardest and the most prestigious rally in the world. Unfortunately, it is already too late for that mansion.
For driving about 10 hours every day better be mentally and physically 100% fit Also, at least basic knowledge of car mechanics will come handy. If something goes wrong with the vehicle, you might find a solution way before your service crew arrives to give you a hand. After a weekend of rallying in the national championship, one already feels exhausted and needs a few days to recover. In this rally, one drives day after day for two weeks.
Why do I care to say this?
Someone stubborn enough who wants to participate must be clear about the strength and sacrifices needed. One cannot be troubled by money issues while driving. ‘What if I crash my rented ‘beast’ and will I be able to pay the repair costs and penalties?’. Such mindset can’t have a place in this event. Pure and unrestrained driving is the only thing he/she should bear in mind. Yep, it’s hard to be a privateer. And it’s dearly hard to drive without a real budget. But you have chosen to participate because there are octanes flowing thru your veins instead of blood, anyway.