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		Le Dakar
		Presentation
		Key figures



Since its creation in 1978, Le Dakar has inspired dreams and passions. From the very outset of this mythical race, the rally has become a true social phenomenon. Nurtured by the spirit of adventure and the passion of its courageous participants, Le Dakar has since remained faithful to its founding values: in the heart of Africa, a unique sporting competition experienced by all, amateurs and professionals alike, as a matchless human experience.

A MATCHLESS HUMAN EXPERIENCE

At the outset of Le Dakar, one man’s dream outrode everything. In 1977, Thierry Sabine, motorcycle rider on the Abidjan-Nice Rally, was saved in extremis after being lost in the Libyan desert. The following year, he created Le Paris-Dakar, a race open to all riders and drivers sparked by the spirit of adventure. Since then, the popular, media and sporting success of Le Dakar has never failed. Without forsaking any of its magic, Le Dakar has moved on, gained in maturity and safety, welcomed an ever-increasing number of competitors of all nationalities, all come to seek after a dream in its raw form, adventure and the quest of their own limits.

MEETING WITH AFRICA

En route for superb landscapes, riders & drivers also meet up with captivating peoples and many of them fall in love with Africa. Early on, the event’s creators wanted to give back to Africa what the continent had offered them in terms of pure emotion. By signing a partnership with SOS SAHEL in September 2002, Le Dakar underlined its intent to pursue and extend help to African populations. Under the label “ACTIONS DAKAR”, a three-year plan was launched to combat desertification of the Sahel strip in the Senegal and provide a healthier environment for the town of Louga.

A UNIQUE SPORTING COMPETITION

Every year, Le Dakar is January’s leading sporting event. Open to all riders, amateurs and professionals alike, the most prestigious rally-trek, organized by national and international federations, brings together an average 500 competitors every year, be it car, motorcycle or truck.

80% amateurs - 20% professionals
40% of new competitors each year

39 NATIONALITIES :
• 60 % foreign competitors
• 40 % French competitors

IN 2005, 464 VEHICLES AT THE LINE-UP
• 230 motorcycles
• 164 cars
• 69 trucks
• 224 assistance vehicles

Media coverage

130 journalists on the course Over 5000 press articles and radio & TV broadcasts • 2,446 press articles • 2,639 radio broadcasts • Over 360 million contacts Source Press Guide	130 journalists 563 TV hours 187 countries

FRENCH TV BROADCASTS Over 50 hours on Dakar topics • France TV: 21h30 hours, 4 daily programmes: Les Aventuriers du Dakar, Le Bivouac, L'image du jour, Le Journal du Dakar. • Total audience ratings: Approx. 5 million TV viewers per day throughout the rally • Eurosport: 45 hours, daily highlights and retransmissions

INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTS • 563 programme hours • 187 countries Source: broadcasters

INTERNET : www.dakar.com • 5 language versions • 58 millions of pages viewed (+41% over and against 2004) • 2.6 million visitors Source: broadcasters

More : http://www.dakar.com